If you are using WordPress then you are probably familiar with some of these plugins. Plugins are tools that you “plug in” to WordPress to help you manage your website and Internet marketing. There are plugins that do just about everything, but be careful not to get carried away using them.
As a rule-of-thumb, I don’t use a plugin unless it has at least 10,000 installations by users and mostly 4 and 5 star reviews. You can review plugins at the WordPress repository HERE.
Here are some of my favorite WordPress plugins:
Smush
Reduce image file sizes, improve performance, and boost your search engine optimization (SEO) using the free WPMU DEV WordPress Smush API.
BackupBuddy
The most complete WordPress solution for backup, restoration, migration, and deployment to the same host or a new domain. Backs up a customizable selection of files, settings, and content for a complete snapshot of your site. The Stash Live feature allows for real-time live backups to the cloud. https://ithemes.com/purchase/backupbuddy/
VaultPress – Alternative to BackupBuddy. VaultPress is a subscription-based protection, security, and backup service for WordPress blogs and sites. https://vaultpress.com/
Google Analytics for WordPress by MonsterInsights
The best Google Analytics plugin for WordPress. See how visitors find and use your website so you can keep them coming back. https://wordpress.org/plugins/google-analytics-for-wordpress/
WPS Hide Login
Protect your website by changing the login URL and preventing access to the wp-login.php page and wp-admin directory while not logged-in. https://wordpress.org/plugins/wps-hide-login/
Really Simple SSL
Lightweight plugin without any setup to make your site fully secure. https://wordpress.org/plugins/really-simple-ssl/
Google XML Sitemaps
A plugin that improves SEO using sitemaps for best indexation by search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo and more. https://wordpress.org/plugins/google-sitemap-generator/
WPS Hide Login
Protect your website by changing the login URL and preventing access to wp-login.php page and wp-admin directory while not logged-in. https://wordpress.org/plugins/wps-hide-login/
Yoast SEO
An all-in-one SEO solution for WordPress, including on-page content analysis, XML sitemaps, and much more. https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/
Wordfence Security
Anti-virus, Firewall, and Malware Scan. https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordfence/
Pretty Links
Shrink, track, and share any URL on the Internet from your WordPress website. Shorten links for use and tracking at social media websites. https://wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/
W3-Total Cache
Improves the SEO and user experience of your site by increasing website performance and reducing download times via features like content delivery network (CDN) integration. https://wordpress.org/plugins/w3-total-cache/
Easy Custom Sidebars
A simple and easy way to add custom sidebars/widget areas to your WordPress theme. https://wordpress.org/plugins/easy-custom-sidebars/
404 to 301
Automatically redirect all bad link “404” errors to any page using 301 redirect for SEO. You can redirect and log every 404 error. Helps you identify bad link issues. https://wordpress.org/plugins/404-to-301/
Acronix FAQ
Create and display frequently asked questions. https://wordpress.org/plugins/arconix-faq/
Easy Heads Up Bar
An easy to use notification “announcement” bar for your WordPress website with a linked call-to-action. https://wordpress.org/plugins/easy-heads-up-bar/
Quick Page / Post Redirect Plugin
Redirect pages, posts, or custom post types to another location quickly (for internal or external URLs). https://wordpress.org/plugins/quick-pagepost-redirect-plugin/
Instagram Feed
Display beautifully clean, customizable, and responsive Instagram feeds. https://wordpress.org/plugins/instagram-feed/
WP-DBManager
Manages your WordPress database. Allows you to optimize, repair, backup, restore, and delete backup databases; drop/empty tables; and run selected queries. Supports automatic scheduling of new backups as well as optimizing and repairing of databases. https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-dbmanager/
Peter’s Post Notes
Add notes on the “edit post” and “edit page” sidebars, as well as general notes on the dashboard. Great little communication and collaboration tool when multiple people are managing and updating a WordPress website. https://wordpress.org/plugins/peters-post-notes/
