Wordpress is one of the most widely-used blogging platforms. One of the major benefits of blogging with Wordpress is the availability of plugins, which allow for the addition of features to the blog.
A plugin is a mini software program. Just as one may purchase additional software programs for a computer to expand the computer's capabilities, Wordpress plugins are installed in order to expand the blog's capabilities and features.
So what types of blog plugins should a Wordpress user install? There are an array of plugins available to make blogging easier and fun!
Blog Plugins for Comments and Comment Spam
Akismet is one very useful Wordpress plugin that will detect and filter spam comments. This plugin is especially helpful for bloggers who receive a large volume of comments, as Akismet automatically sends suspected spam comments to the spam folder. The spam comments are stored for 15 days before they're automatically deleted. In addition, bloggers do not need to maintain a blacklist – it's all done automatically by Akismet.
In addition to Akismet, Wordpress bloggers may wish to install these plugins for comments:
- "Most Commented Widget" – This plugin will enable bloggers to create a widget that displays posts with the most comments.
- "Edit Comments" – This Wordpress plugin will enable visitors to edit their own comments, thereby preventing duplicate/multiple comments from visitors who wish to expand or edit their commentary.
- "Recent Comments" – This blog plugin allows for the creation of a widget that displays the most recent comments.
Simple CAPTCHA is another must-have for bloggers who are plagued by comment spam. The Simple CAPTCHA plugin will add a "captcha" box to the blog's comment section. This prevents posts from spam bots, as commenters must type in a specific series of letters or numbers.
Wordpress Blog Plugins to Add a Forum, Shopping Cart, Social Networking Buttons
There are some great features that Wordpress bloggers can add to their site, depending upon the website's purpose.
Niche bloggers may wish to add a forum to their Wordpress blog. One easy-to-use forum plugin is titled "Forum Server." Implementing the forum is simple – create a new page, then place a line of HTML code on the page. Complete directions are available on the plugin site (links to each plugin site are displayed on the "installed" plugin list.)
Another great Wordpress plugin is called Contact Form 7. This enables bloggers to add a "contact me" form to their site. This is particularly helpful for retail blogs that tend to receive lots of questions from visitors.
Retail bloggers can also benefit from a shopping cart plugin for Wordpress. One easy-to-use plugin is titled "Wordpress Simple Paypal Shopping Cart." This plugin enables bloggers to add a shopping cart link to any post or sidebar – perfect for blogs that sell a product or service. A similar shopping cart plugin is titled WP e-Commerce.
Another useful Wordpress plugin is titled "Add to Any: Share / Bookmark / Email Button." Once activated, this blog plugin will allow for the addition of social networking links to Facebook, along with Digg, Reddit and other similar sites. Wordpress users can also add buttons that enable visitors to "bookmark" a blog post or send an email to the blogger.
Wordpress Plugin for Snow on a Blog
This plugin is not "useful" per se, but it's fun, as it creates a special effect that makes it look like it's snowing on the blog!
One such Wordpress plugin is titled Snow, Balloons and More; once activated, this plugin will enable bloggers to select different snowflakes, raindrops, fall leaves and balloons that will travel across the screen. Users can also adjust wind strength and the duration of the blog snow storm.
The creators of this Wordpress plugin will even customize the "snow," as bloggers can send in an image that they've created. So the owner of a pet-related blog who wants it to "rain cats and dogs" could create images of dog bones, paw prints, dogs and cats; these can then be sent to the plugin creators for a customized blog snow program!
Many more useful and fun Wordpress plugins can be found by browsing the most popular or the newest plugins by clicking the "Plugin" menu on the Wordpress dashboard sidebar (visible once a blogger is logged in.) Next, click the "Add New" link; on the page used to add new plugins, bloggers can click the "popular" or "newest" links (located at the top of the page) to browse the available plugins for each category.
Related Articles on Blogging with Wordpress
Readers may also want to learn more about How to Install Plugins on a Wordpress Blog.
Bloggers who are new to Wordpress may be wondering, "What's the difference between Wordpress.com and a Wordpress.org blog?" Read Wordpress.com vs. Wordpress.org to learn more about which site provides free blogs and to learn which site is best for someone who wants to monetize by placing advertisements on a Wordpress blog.
Bloggers may also want to learn how to increase blog page views by Promoting a Blog With Xomba.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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