5 Essential WordPress Plugins
WordPress is a fantastic free website and Blogging platform. The vanilla install is great however there are literally hundreds of free plugins that are easy to install and add some great new features and functionality.
Here’s 5 which I find essential.
PageMash
If you use wordpress to run your website then you’ve probably created quite a few pages. Managing this pages using wordpress can be tricky, espcially if include sub-pages. PageMash gives you a nice visual layout of your page structure allowing you to easily find pages to edit and drag and drop pages to rearrange their order or move them to a new section.
CForms II
CForms is a powerful form plugin for WordPress. Contact forms are usually an essential part of most Business-to-Business and lead generating sites. Features include multiple forms, multi-part forms, design layouts and and an easy-to-use interface.
Once you’ve created your forms it’s easy to place them them within your posts using a shortcode or into your sidebars using the widget provided.
Akisment
Comment spam is a right pain. Akisment is a great way of reducing. Since I originally installed it sometime ago it’s I now only need to check the spam queue now and again.
You do need a WordPress.com account to get it working so that it can connect to central servers to ensure you’re always using the latest information in the spam database.
Backup
This one really is essential. WordPress does sometimes go wrong. Sometimes you delete the wrong stuff. Sometimes your web host breaks. These things all spell disaster, unless you have a backup. This plugin makes it really easy by e-mailing you your files on a regular basis.
Sociable
Sociable makes it really easy to add “share” buttons to your posts. It includes all the main networks along with a ton more you’ve never heard of. Easy to install and setup.
