When you first install WordPress on you sever you might be wondering “What’s the big deal about WordPress?” That’s because your WordPress website doesn’t even begin to reach it’s full potential until you begin to utilize the vast amounts of awesome WordPress plugins available to self hosted WordPress users.
Here is a list of our Top 10 Favorite WordPress plugins:
Akismet – This plugin already comes installed with WordPress, so we aren’t linking to it within this post. It is the #1 plugin you will ever install that protects against comment spam. It’s kind of tricky to install though because it requires your WordPress API key, however you can see instructions on how to retrieve your WordPress API key here.
All In One SEO Pack – This plugin allows you to add meta tags, keywords, and keyphrases to your WordPress blog, pages, and posts.
cForms – It’s one of the best free contact form plugins out there. Not all that easy to use, but definitely keeps unwanted contact requests at bay.
Feedburner Feedsmith – This plugin is great for redirecting your WordPress feed to your feedburner feed so you can keep track of how many subscribers you have.
RSS Footer – This plugin allows for yo to add text, images, whatever you like to the footer of you RSS feed. It also provides a direct link back to the post via your RSS footer so you readers can go straight to the original post.
Sexy Bookmarks – One of the most popular social bookmarking plugins around featuring big fancy bookmarks (hence the name sexy bookmarks.) This is one of my favorites. You can see it in action at the end of this post. While you are checking the icons out, why not go ahead and share this post with your friends. ;)
Subscribe Remind – With the Subscribe-Remind plugin, some text will automatically be placed at the end of each of your posts inviting your readers to subscribe to your RSS feed.
WP Video Lightbox – This plugin is super simple to use and allows you to display your videos in a fancy lightbox overlay.
WordPress eMember – WordPress eMember plugin is an easy to use wordpress plugin that integrates with your current WordPress design, and blog, in order to create a membership site. This is great plugin for those who would like to create a paid membership website.
WordPress Affiliate Manager – This plugin gives you the ability to run an affiliate program for your WordPress website.
What are your favorite plugins?
Disclaimer: Some affiliate links have been used within this post.
