14 of our Favorite WordPress Plugins

WordPress has grown vastly from a blogging platform in 2003 to being very popularly used broadly by bloggers, designers and developers alike. This largely is due to the fact that people looking for a simple CMS with lots of useful plugins have found it in WordPress. It comes with an arsenal of plugins available which can make your life so much easier. Your site can be customized to endless possibilities with the use of WordPress Plugins. WordPress offers a flexibility and versatility to enhance online portfolios, online galleries, photo blogs, news, magazine sites or even article libraries.

In no particular order, Here are our top 14 plugins that seem to make it into every site we build:

1. RedirectionManage redirections and keep track of errors
This plugin manages 301 redirections and keep tracks of 404 errors – and all this without having to be knowledgeable about Apache.htaccess files. This plugin also tidies up any loose ends your site may have – a very useful application if you are migrating pages from an old site.

2. WordPress Database BackupBackup your core WordPress database tables
This plugin creates backups of your core WordPress tables as well as other tables of your choice in the same database. The backup can be saved to the server, downloaded to your computer or email the backup file to your specified email address.

3. All in one SEO packThis plugin optimizes your WP blog for Search Engines
This plugins is extremely customizable, but it is amazingly powerful right out of the box. It can help ensure that the search engines are seeing the information you want to be seen.

4. Contact Form 7An easy to use contact form
This plugin offers simplicity and flexibility to designing your form and mail. You can manage multiple contact forms as well with this plugin.

5. Contact Form 7 to DB Extensionstore your contact form results
An extension to the Contact Form plugin that can save contact form data to a database table. This can protect you from the frustration of lost emails.

6. Google Analytics for WordPresseasily track your site statistics
Easily ensure that your Google Analytics code is on every page on your website for most accurate statistics. This plugin uses the new asynchronous tracking method leading to faster load times for your webpages, enhanced data collection and accuracy and elimination of tracking errors.

7. Google XML SitemapsGenerate sitemap enabling search engines to index your site
This plugin generates a XML Sitemap compliant sitemap of your WP blog. This format is supported by Ask.com, Google, Yahoo and MSN search.

8. Smart YoutubeEasily embed YouTube videos
Insert YouTube videos in posts, comments and RSS feeds with ease and full customization, like removing suggested videos.

9. WP Email LoginLog in to your WP account using your email address
This plugin allows you to log in to your WP address without using your username. This comes in handy if you have a really bad memory or a lot of users!

10. Simple Local AvatarsAdd an avatar upload field to user profile field
If the current user has media permissions, this plugin allows the addition of an avatar upload field to the profile. It generates requested sizes on demand. Just scroll down to the new “Avatar” field after editing a user profile; the plugin takes care of the cropping and sizing.

11. WP-Password GeneratorNo more hassles creating new or insecure passwords
Now administrators can save the trouble of using a separate password generator appliacation or spending time to come up with a clever and secure password for their new users. The WP Password Generator plugin creates unique 7-16 character passwords by simply clicking on the “Generate Password”.

12. The Events CalendarRapidly create and manage events
The Events Calendar plugin allows you to quickly create and manage events using the post editor. Features like Google Map integration and default templates such as a calendar grid for streamlined one click installation are available. This plugin also works seamlessly with EventBrite if you want to publish your events or collect payment for them.

13. My Link OrderSet links and link categories in order
This plugin helps to set the order in which links and link categories appear in the sidebars. It uses a drag and drop interface for creating the order. It also adds a widget with additional options for easy installation on widgetized themes.

14. InCommentTrack that commenter or check out the results of advertising
This is a comment referrer plugin which tells you the origins of a comment through the comment email. This helps in tracking comments which are not relevant and spammy which is a complete waste of your time.

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