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*Update*Â Click here for an updated list of my favorite plugins as of 8/31/15.
Here is a list of all the WordPress Plugins I am currently using, what they do, and why I like them:
1) Akismet
This plugin allows you to monitor your comments and blocks spam. Even though I’m still a relatively young blog without a great amount of traffic, I get tons of spam comments. Akismet has done an admirable job of blocking those comments.
That is literally the name of the plugin. It’s awesome. Awesomely simple. I knew I needed some sort of “disclaimer” for my affiliate links to appear in all my posts (I wanted it to be automatic), so I found this plugin to do the job. It gives you the option to write something that shows up at the bottom of every post you write.
3) Easy Recipe
This is what I use to format all my recipes. It allows people to print the recipe in an easy, clear format. I’m using the free service right now but might upgrade in the future so I can use links within my recipes. (Update – I upgraded to the Pro version and now put affiliate links directly in my recipes.)
4) Genesis Featured Widget Amplified
This widget is absolutely necessary. This is why my homepage has posts on it. Also why my sidebar has recipes from different categories that randomly fill automatically.
5) Google+ Author Information in Search Results (Free Version)
I can’t even remember what this does or if it’s working. The plug-in description says, “Replaces the author link with your Google+ Profile Link or add a special link in your blogpost.” Whatevs.
6) Image Widget
This is how you put images in your sidebar. I used this to add the various buttons you see to your right. Basically this widget lets you upload an image from your computer, add it to your sidebar (or another widgetized area), and link from the image.
This is a really common plugin that I use for a lot of different things. Jetpack is how I view my site stats. The “Subscribe via e-mail” button that then sends my posts to all who subscribe is from Jetpack as well.
8) Lazy Load
I had a problem with my pictures loading until I downloaded this plugin. I would say it works very well, at least compared to how my site was working before I installed this plugin. Now I can add more than two pictures to a post and they’ll actually show up eventually.
9) MetaSlider
This is a great plugin that I used to make my slideshow of popular posts in my sidebar as well as to showcase some of my photography. (Update – no longer using this because I don’t need it any more)
10) MOJO Marketplace
“This plugin adds shortcodes, widgets, and themes to your WordPress site.” I can’t remember what exactly I’m using this for.
This is the nifty plugin that automatically adds a list of related post thumbnails to the bottom of every post I write.
12) Pinterest Pin It Button For Images
I always wanted one of these. This plugin allows people to pin any image to one of their Pinterest boards.
13) Relevanssi
This is a search engine for your website that works a lot better than the standard Jetpack search engine.
This is just an easy social media icon plugin that is clean and easy to use and customize.
I can’t sing the praises of this plugin enough. It makes installing, categorizing, and cloaking your affiliate links a snap.
16) WP Super Cache
I think this is making my site run faster? That’s what it’s supposed to be doing, anyway.
17) Contact Form
I just got this plug-in and now I have a nifty contact form on my site! (Update – my tech guy has since switched me over to Contact Form 7.)
If you want to install any of these plugins to your WordPress account, either follow my links here or just go to your “Plugins” tab, type in the name, and install the plugin you want (this is the easier route).
Do you have any go-to plugins that I haven’t included? Comment below and tell me about them!
Dirinda Lacen says
I am so thankful I ran across this! You have no idea how many spam comments I get each day. I’m having a little trouble understanding about the WordPress account. I HAVE a WordPress account, obviously, for my blog, but somehow when I try to sign up for Askimet it tells me my email address is already on record, but it won’t accept my password. It’s hard to figure out. This one is important for me to figure out, but I can’t wait to look into the rest of your tips, too. Thanks for sharing!
Briana Thomas says
Hi Dirinda! I know for me, the Akismet password is the same as my WordPress.com password (I have one for both WordPress.com and WordPress.org)…maybe try that if you haven’t already?
Margeaux Vittoria says
Thank you for sharing! Translating the way a page looks into actual widgets is difficult for me but this helped 🙂