You knew it was coming. My favorite plugins for WordPress. This platform never ceases to amaze me. I have some of these listed on my Resources page, but I have a feeling this list is going to grow longer the longer I’m on WordPress. If you haven’t heard of these, I hope you’ll consider installing them to improve your WordPress experience!
1. Akismet
Akismet – this one is pretty self-explanatory. Spammers love WordPress. And there’s a reason. When you comment on WordPress, you have the option of linking back to your website. The more links back to your site, the better rankings you get on Google search results. In order to reduce these spammers, Akismet is needed. (P.S. Blogger also lets you do this, but you don’t get a pretty gravatar picture!)
2. Jetpack
Jetpack Plugin for WordPress – Is amazing. You don’t have to go searching for it because WordPress urges you to install it. JetPack has many, many things to offer. It gives you detailed site statistics for the past 48 hours, it provides that Facebook plugin in my footer, a widget that displays your recent tweets, and more! You have to create a WordPress.com account (which really isn’t that much work) in order to start using it, but it’s well worth it. With this plugin I can track how my pageviews are climbing back up again after migrating to WordPress (it can take about a month). And I can also track the hits to my site from search engine searches (and the search terms). Neat!
3. Editorial Calendar
The Editorial Calendar plugin will be one of your best friends. You can drag drafts (and posts if you wanted to) around on your calendar and visually map out your posts. It’s amazing. You can even start drafts from the plugin to jot down ideas.
Codi says
Lisette! This is exactly what I needed today. Thank you for helping me learn just a little bit more about WordPress and what it has to offer!
Lisette says
You’re welcome, Codi! I just saw your site. How long have you been on Wordpress?
Rachel says
Wordpress is so dang scary!
Lisette says
Don’t be scared! I’ll hold your hand if you want to make the switch. I seriously am in love with WordPress!
Adela says
I have some of these. Now I’ll get more. I appreciate your explaination of SEO. I’ve been bumbling along trying to figure out what it’s about and how to use it. I also plan to limit login attempts. Thanks o much for your help.
Kelly says
I need to get Wordpress and then download these, thanks for the recommendations!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Nicole @ Treasure Tromp says
Editorial Calendar is seriously my best friend. I love the first 5 plugins but need to check out the last two!
Chania @ Sassy Sweet Style says
This is AWESOME! I have been on Wordpress since the beginning of my blogging, but recently switched to self hosted a few months ago. I never went plug-in shopping because there were so many. Just installed the ones I didn’t have. THANK YOU! :)
♥Chania
Michelle says
These are all GREAT plugins to have! I definitely recommend them as well.
Meg O. says
And off I go to download #5-7!
Kate says
I am definitely going to check out the SEO plug in- thanks!
Tami says
Okay–this might be the dumbest question on the planet, but you can only use these if you use wordpress, right? I use Blogger but I’m so confused by all the different platforms. Then throw in the concept of ‘self hosting’ and I’m lost!
Lisette says
No question is dumb :)
But yes, these are only available on WordPress.org sites aka self-hosted blogs. Not to be confused with WordPress.com sites that are free but extremely limited.
Brooks says
Oh my gosh! So many options! I’ve been thinking about switching – not being really happy with the whole Blogger app, and wanting to see different options, but it’s so intimidating! I love, love, love your design and how it all seems to flow – where BlogSpot doesn’t seem to as well. You’ve really got me thinking about switching.
Lisette says
I thought about making the switch for several months before I committed. Thanks for your kind words! I’m also available for Blogger designs!
joannerambling says
I don’t know if I have any of these but that is not a surprise I know bugga all about computers……………lol
Lisette says
No worries! We all have to start somewhere :)
Niki says
Where can you see your JetPack statistics on the dashboard? I may be dumb but I can’t find it! Also, you say it takes about a month for your pageviews to climb back up after transferring to Wordpress, could that be why my Google Analytics settings are showing, like 4 pageviews when I know I’ve received many more?
Thanks Lisette!
Lisette says
Hmm. Did you insert your Google Analytics meta tag into the < head > portion in WordPress? I can email you a screenshot of what that looks like. Same thing happened to me until I figured out I forgot to enter that tag.
Rachel says
Thank goodness you wrote this. I’m going to be so lost in a few weeks!
Belinda says
I have been looking for a good WP plugin for backups! THANK YOU! My blog was hacked last year and it was the worst moment… ever. I lost everything and had to start from scratch. Never again!!
happyeverafterbride says
Thanks for sharing. I already use the majority of these but have downloaded WP-Optimize now. Did wonder why my pages took so long to load at work and now I think it’ll be much better. I just moved to self hosting from blogger and this platform is just so daunting if not for plugins!
Megan says
Thank you, Lisette! I just started my blog this past week and have no idea what I’m doing. I only have Akismet loaded up right now, but will def be downloading the other six TODAY.
Stephanie says
Not quite on topic, but I have been using wordpress for months and always thought when I hit approve and reply in comments that I was emailing the person back. I now find out I was not and it only posted on my blog. Do you know how I can fix that so I can do both email back to the commentor and post it on my blog? I did find a plug-in called Comment Email Responder and it was working okay. This week when I activated JetPack after reading your post, it no longer works. I am hoping you can lead me in another easier direction.
Thanks
Kerri says
Just installed the last three and also WordFence! These are super helpful! Thanks for posting this! :)
kim says
Thanks for posting this it’s extremely helpful. Do you use a specific widget for newsletter/direct subscribers to your blog too? Would love a recommendation. My friend told me that sending entire posts directly to subcribers is bad–wondering what you think?
KBS
Andrea says
I know I’m waaaaay late to this party, but I’m late to everything so it’s par for the course, plus I’m new (and stupid) to everything so every little bit helps. The SEO plugin is amazing. Thanks so much for the tip!
Lisette says
You’re so welcome! The plugin has totally helped me get my business in order!
Sierra says
This is so great and helpful – thanks for the review! Will have to check out WP-Optimize – I didn’t know that existed – very cool! ~ Sierra
samdani says
Plugins are very much tonic to make the wordpress more perfect . Mainly a dynamic website for special purpose is being promoted and acceptable to traffic by using plugins .
I have seen , many wordpress users have used these plugins you suggested and they are really useful. Thanks for your helpful wordpress plugin list.