But first, you need to make sure you’re utilizing a self hosted WordPress (WordPress.org) website, rather than WordPress.com. Not sure about the differences? You can read about each of the two WordPress platforms and learn everything you need to set up your self hosted website through my post here.
What are Plugins?
Simply put, WordPress plugins are user created apps that you can install into your WordPress website to add more features and functionality. They can help with things from security, customization, and even help you sell products. Plugins can either be free, paid with a one time fee, or paid with a monthly / yearly fee. There are so many high quality plugins that are free to use, almost all of which I will be mentioning next.
• Related Reading: Debunking the 8 Biggest WordPress Myths on the Internet
Important things to note before you download plugins:
• Having too many plugins could possibly slow down your site if the plugins are large files. So be very selective with the ones you choose to use for your website.
• You should also check to see if a plugin has a decent amount of good reviews before downloading it to your website to make sure it is secure and functions properly.
• You need to make sure the plugin has been updated recently or gets updated on a regular basis. This ensures that the plugin will work with the most recent WordPress and theme updates. Updated plugins are more secure as well.
• Because plugins require frequent updates, you should be sure to update plugins at least twice a month and create a backup of your website before updating anything in case something breaks.
Here’s a video I created to show you just how easy it is to keep your website updated, including how I use some of the plugins I mention below!
Top WordPress Plugins You Should Have Installed Yesterday
1. Akismet
First, is the Akismet plugin which comes automatically installed on your WordPress website. This plugin will monitor your posts (if you have a blog set up) for spam comments. Any comments that Akismet thinks may be spam will be automatically removed from your website and placed in an area for approval. The free version of this plugin is automatically installed for you, but if you are building a website for your business, a premium license is required.
2. WordFence
On of my favorites for security is the WordFence plugin. This plugin helps keep your website secure against hackers and gives you weekly updates on areas that need improvement to keep you safe. The free version works perfectly fine for securing your site, but you can upgrade to the premium version for added security measures and reports.
3. WP Smush
Next, is the WP Smush plugin. This free plugin helps to optimize your websites image files by compressing them to smaller sizes without losing quality. This will help your website load more quickly. Always remember to upload files that are at least smaller than 1MB, the smaller the better. After you upload any images to your website, WP Smush will automatically compress the information further for optimization, no action is required on your end after the plugin is activated. To compress your files even more you can upgrade to the premium version.
4. WP Super Cache
Another plugin to help with speed optimization is the WP Super Cache plugin. This plugin will generate static files of your websites content to your visitors instead of having to load rather heavy files every single time they visit. Your websites old files can also be set to automatically clear after a certain amount of time so your newest updates will display live. You can also clear your websites cache manually through the plugin if a change you’ve made to one of your posts / pages isn’t appearing yet.
5. Yoast
To optimize your website for search engines, the Yoast plugin is a definite must have. This plugin allows you to set keywords for each of your posts, pages, and even products. Yoast also gives you real time tips to optimize your content even further to help you get found in searches on Google. You can even change the images as well as the title and text, or metadata, that displays for your post or page in google and social media sites. The free version is robust enough to work for your website, but you can upgrade to premium for added optimization options.
6. Updraft Plus Backups
Last, but certainly not least is the Updraft Plus Backups plugin. If you choose a quality website host like Siteground, they will perform regular backups of your website in the case that you ever need to restore. However, the Updraft plugin allows you to manually create backups of your website right in your WordPress dashboard. This allows you to quickly create a backup of your websites entire database without leaving your website which you should be doing before any major plugin, theme, or code updates. Both free and premium versions are available.
*BONUS – Top Plugin to Avoid: Jetpack
One last thing before I conclude this list, I have to add a bonus plugin. Remember when I said some plugins are larger than others and can slow down your website? The Jetpack plugin, which automatically comes installed with WordPress, is notorious for creating slow loading times. This plugin is useful for adding social media share icons to your blog posts but it is so bulky that I highly recommend you to delete it and find an alternative.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of a self hosted website, why you should choose WordPress over managed platforms like Squarespace, and how to get set up in the platform, check out my free eCourse, Understanding WordPress.
These look like really great tips for plugins for WordPress users. We use another platform for our website, but were considering switching over.
Switching to WordPress opened up my business to so many more options. I would highly recommend looking more into it. I’m here for any questions or assistance if you need it in the future! 🙂
Marriah Tarango
WP Super Cache is a fav of mine. Great list.
Thanks Tammy, mine as well!
Marriah Tarango
I am new to blogging so started with a free blogging platform but if I continue for a while I will definitely consider these points.
Yes, WordPress is definitely worth looking into for the future!
Marriah Tarango
Good to know. I am still learning about Plug Ins and all of that. This was a helpful read!
I’m glad Amber! Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need assistance with your WordPress website, and I’ll be happy to help. 🙂
Marriah Tarango
This is a great post – I have to admit I have almost all of those included installed. I sadly have to have Jetpack installed as I use Vaultpress which is a shame.
That’s great you’re already using a majority of these plugins Sarah! But yes, that’s a real shame that you have to have Jetpack installed. I don’t know much about vaultpress, but WordFence may be a good alternative for security if you’d like to change to something that doesn’t require another plugin like Jetpack to be installed.
Marriah Tarango
Makes me want to switch to WordPress. These are very useful plugins.
They most definitely are Tara! I now only recommend WordPress to my clients and colleagues because of the freedom you have and the lower cost as well. May be worth looking more into!
Marriah Tarango
I am very new at blogging, like a month into it. This was extremely helpful thank you.
This is such a great post and it looks like a great tool to help in your blogging sites. Thanks for sharing this with us!
I’m already using 4 of these (YAY ME!). I have been considering deleting Jetpack too.
These are great plugins! Yoast is an absolute must for any blogger or website! Also Google Analytics is a must!
I used three plug ins from this list. Thinking if I will activate WP super cache and download smush it. Thanks for sharing!
I have used Askimet in the past but changed for cleantalk. The only plugin from that list i am using is yoast. Great list!
I just started looking into wordpress plugins, but wasn’t really sure where to start. These all sound great!
This is a great list! I am happy to say that I have most of these!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I have never heard of the WordFence plug-in before. That definitely seems like a safety function that would be beneficial for my blog.
I really like Disqus comment system too… Already using Yoast and WP Smush… Also had some problems with Jetpack so I can say I’m lucky I’ve uninstalled it early!
I am gonna share these plugins with all my fellow blogger friends. Very informative indeed 🙂
I am not on WordPress so can’t speak much for these. But I have heard so much about Yoast being a great help.
Thanks for sharing these. I have a couple already installed but didn’t even know the others existed, I am definitely going to check them out and install the ones I need x
Great tips. I have some of those plugins installed and will definitely check out the other ones. Love improving my work. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing a wonderful article.
I would like to share one best WordPress plugin for a blog, and it is a Blog Designer.
This plugin will help you to modify your blog layout or single page layouts. It is the best solution for websites to attract more visitors to your blog or website.
Hey Marriah,
This list has some amazing WordPress plugins listed on it. I love using Akismet, Yoast SEO, and UpdraftPlus. As they cover some of the most important tools you need for blogging.
I’ve found that the free version of WP smush doesn’t really offer me much in the way of file size compressions compared to the TinyPNG plugin (500 free image compressions per month).
When I tested – WP Smush reduced a 209kb file to 185kb. Whilst TinyPNG reduced it to 91kb. (Both compressed images looked identical.)
Even then, I’ve always found batch optimizing my images in a program like Photoshop or GIMP has always been that little bit better. But I realise not everyone has time to do this!
I think one of my favourite WordPress plugins is the Genesis Simple Hooks, for Genesis Framework based themes. It makes adding in code for Google Analytics or Pinterest Rich Pins super easy. But that might just be me being a bit of a code nerd XD
Yoast for SEO is my favourite. I am using most of them.
Hi, I am new to your blog. I must say it’s amazing and I am learning alot from you.