When starting a new blog on Wordpress, many bloggers don't know about all the useful plugins that exist. In fact, the large number of plugins is one factor that makes Wordpress such a popular blogging platform.
Plugins, also known as add-ons, are like a mini-software program; each one adds a specific feature to the site. They can also be used to define the type of site; for instance, merchandise management and shopping cart plugins can turn a blog into a retail site.
These add-ons can also increase the degree of reader interaction with the blog. Forum plugins can be used to create a social community on a blog. The addition of a contact form will enable readers to send an email or register for a mailing list, while poll plugins can enable you to add survey widgets or embed polls in posts.
What Wordpress Plugins to Install on a New Blog
The sheer number and variety of plugins makes the installation process overwhelming for new bloggers. But there are certain add-ons that bloggers should download when establishing a new site. These features will increase the site's functionality for both the visitors and the site owner.
- Akismet – Akismet features a spam filter for comments that are posted on the blog.
- Add to Any: Share/Bookmark/Email Button – This enables you to add buttons to the bottom of each post, including social bookmarking sites like Reddit, StumbleUpon and Digg, along with social networking sites like Twitter, Google+ and Facebook.
- Blog Protector – Blog Protector helps prevent content theft, plagiarism and unauthorized posting of copyrighted material. It prevents image dragging, text selection/copying and right clicking.
- Antivirus – Antivirus protects your site from viruses, "exploits and spam injections."
- Google XML Sitemaps – This Google XML Sitemaps generates a document that provides links to every page on your website. It helps with indexing, making it a vital component of good SEO. There are also variations of this plugin that will create XML sitemaps for images, video and mobile content.
- Jetpack Stats – This plugin generates page view information, and other stats like page view referrers and search engine search terms that were entered by readers who visited the blog. The Jetpack plugin also features an array of other tools, like grammar check and spellcheck.
- Yet Another Related Posts Plugin – This add-on creates a list of related articles at the end of each post, thereby increasing page views and improving SEO since the blog will feature stronger interlinking. It improves the reader's experience, since he/she will be provided with related articles, for a more comprehensive reading experience.
- Fast Secure Contact Form – This feature generates up to four different contact forms that can be customized and then placed in a widget, on a page or in posts. Messages are sent to the email address of your choosing. Also, you can configure this plugin so it sends out auto-responder messages.
Other Popular Blog Plugins for Wordpress
Twitter users may also want to install a Twitter plugin. There are a wide array of add-ons that create tweet displays, "Follow Me" buttons and Twitter widgets. Some popular Twitter plugins include "WP FollowMe," "TweetMeMe Button" and "Wickett Twitter Widget."
Advertising is not allowed on a Wordpress.com blog, but bloggers with a self-hosted blog are permitted to display ads from AdSense, Chitika, AdBrite, Infolinks and other advertising programs.
You may opt to install an advertising plugin like "Advertising Manager," which allows for semi-automation of the site's advertising. For those who utilize a revenue sharing model to pay contributors, the "AdSense Revenue Sharing 1.2" plugin allows you to split revenue automatically.
Wondering where to search for and find new blog plugins? Begin by logging into the blog and click the "Plugins" menu on the dashboard; click the "find new" option. Bloggers can search by name, tag, author, most popular, newest and recently updated.
Related Articles on Blogging and Wordpress Plugins
To learn more about how to install plugins on a blog, read How to Install a Plugin on a Wordpress Blog.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
