Top 10 Wordpress Plugins
July 6, 2008 by Andy
NOTE: This article is quite old. On 10th May 2009 I posted a new article with an update of what plugins I use. The article is Top 12 Wordpress Plugins
Here is my top 10 Wordpress Plugins. I do use others, but these are the first ones I install when I setup a new Wordpress site.
1. Google XML Sitemaps - you installed this one last week.
2. TinyMCE Advanced - this plugin enhances the editor in Wordpress (where you write your content), and has a lot of nice features.
3. Lighter Menus - This plugin replaces the cumbersome menu system in Wordpress with nice drop down menus. This not only looks better, but also speeds up common tasks by making the menus easy to use.
4. All in One Adsense and YPN - There are other plugins that handle Adsense, but this one has a 5 start rating, so should be good.
5. Akismet - helps to filter out spam comments. This requires some setting up, but we’ll cover that in a later tutorial.
6. AddThis - Social Bookmarking plugin.
- Click on the "Get Your Button" image
- Select Sharing/Bookmarking button from the first drop down list.
- Select the look you like.
- Select "On a blog" from the next drop down list.
- Select Wordpress from the blog type.
You’ll then be taken to a page with further instructions. Follow the instructions to get your button.
7. Ultimate Google Analytics - this will be used with Google Analytics to track visitors.
8. Wordpress automatic upgrade - this will help you keep your copy of Wordpress up-to-date, which is an important security issue.
9. WP-DBManager - allow you to backup, restore and a whole lot more.
10. HeadSpace2 - Allows you to specify meta tags and page titles, plus a lot more if you need it.
I have recorded a short video showing an overview of what these plguins do:
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Thank you. I’ve downloaded all these and the admin page shows them as activated.
I’d like to see tutorial on what I’m supposed to do once they’re downloaded. My blog doesn’t look any different so I’m not sure if everything is working or not.
Louise
Your blog wont look any different, and until you activate these plugins, neither will your admin area. We’ll look at this in one of the next tutorials.
thanks again Andy,
for sharing with us how to setup Wordpress.I have checked my email every day to see if you had posted new information.I am really serious about this and will do everyhing you tell us to do.I have wanted to build a site for a while with Wordpress but just didnt know how.
Thank you Andy for all the great information you so kindly share…
I have set up this WP blog recently and I’m thrilled to get some
good direction on how to make it function efficiently.
Fran
Hi Andy,
I just created a WordPress tool for video at http://www.EasyWordPressVideo.com. It’s not a plug-in exactly, more of a stand alone app that puts video on any WP blog. Let me know if you want the PRO version and I’ll send over a key for your review.
Cheers,
Shawn
P.S. I recently updated PR Prowler too, and I’ll send you a new copy of that too
thanks Andy for the great plugins. Jim Ott
Andy,
Is there any advantage/upside to using the HeadSpace2 plugin instead of the
All in One SEO Pack?
Thanks,
Herb
Hi Herb
Both plugins do the same essential job for me, so you could use either.
I tried Headspace after reading this blog post:
http://knowledgeconstructs.com/headspace2-vs-utw-coolest-wp-meta-plugin-battle-begins/
..but hey, each to their own.
However, if you go with the All in One plugin instead, your screenshots will be different to mine when it comes time to using Wordpress.
I just uploaded the additional 9 plugins to my server. My problem is that only 2 of them show up in the Wordpress plugin panel (Akismet and AddThis - Social Bookmarking) after uploading. Any ideas on why the other 7 are not showing up in the panel. I tried re-downloading, re-unzipping and re-uploading the other 7 plugins but they still will not show up.
Reggie
the usual problem is that you did not upload them in the folder that they came in. Most plugins are in a zip file, and that zip file usually contains ONE folder, containing the plugin. The folder needs to be uploaded with its contents.
Thanks Andy mate, this is all very useful
Andy
Hi Andy,
I have added all but two of the plugins as I have two questions about them
1-There appears to be an askimet already listed in my plugin management screen-but is inactive. Would I still need to download it again?
2- Regarding the Add This plug in, since I will be following your instructions on using wordpress for an affiliate site would my I indicate use on website rather than your instructions on this page to use on blog?
Thanks,
Denise
Hi Dr Andy,
I was very interested not just in your excellent video but also in the Adsense ads at the end of it. How did you do that?
Pearson
Pearson
Any ads in the video are not mine, but that of Revver.com who host the videos.
Andy, I downloaded and activated all the plugins, except one… Lighter Menus. I have an error message saying
that it is an “Invalid Plugin.” Could this be due to my upgrading to the newest WP version and WP doesn’t accept this plugin? I wish I had watched your video first, as you caution against this.
I’ve de-activated and deleted these files three times and removed them from my hard drive and then dowloaded and attempted to re-install 3 times. No Luck, just the same message. What is the work-around for this?
Thanks for all the great info you continuously provide.
Terry
Terry
Could be incompatibility, I dont know. For any issues with plugins you need to check with the plugin author.
Hi Andy,
Reposted form earlier date:
I have added all but two of the plugins as I have two questions about them
1-There appears to be an askimet already listed in my plugin management screen-but is inactive. Would I still need to download it again?
2- Regarding the Add This plug in, since I will be following your instructions on using wordpress for an affiliate site would my I indicate use on website rather than your instructions on this page to use on blog?
Thanks,
Denise
Denise
1. You can use the Askimet already there.
2. I wont be going into detail in this free tutorial set on how to integrate Add This. You need to follow instructions on the Add This website.
Andy,
Thank you for all your trouble and care you’ve taken to put together this tutorial series.
The clarity of your information you pass on is a credit to you.
Asd a near novice and complete WP ignoramus I’ve put together a site with WP as you’ve directed - I’m sure there’s bits missing but hopefully I’ll work these through and find out where they are.
Key to your course has not only been the information but also the confidence you pass on to experiment and work through problems.
Thanks again
pano
Andy
With the latest release of wordpress 2.7 some of your plugins are old hat. Any chance of an update..
Kevin