Posts Tagged new blog

After you installed your WP blog, consider plugins. Plugins are pieces of code that add functionality to your blog. They can make the difference when it comes to evaluate your blog in terms of performance, time management and ease of use. 

The following are 10 must have plugins for any blogger who is starting out: 

1. WordPress Database Backup – This plugin comes installed with WordPress and provides an easy way to backup your WordPress database. You may download the backup file, or have it emailed to the address of your choice. I know how bad I am about keeping my stuff backed up so plugins like these are a Godsend. The plugin is very easy to use – just activate and then select “Backup” under “Manage” in your WordPress control panel. 
2. WP Security Scan – Scans your WordPress installation for security vulnerabilities and suggests corrective actions for passwords, file permissions, database security, version hiding, WordPress admin protection/security. A Must have. 
3. FD Feedburner – Redirects the main feed and optionally the comments feed to Feedburner.com. It does this seamlessly without the need to modify templates, setup new hidden feeds, modify .htaccess files, or asking users to migrate to a new feed. All existing feeds simply become Feedburner feeds seamlessly and transparently for all users. Just tell the plugin what your Feedburner feed URL is and you’re done. 
4. Subscribe to Comments - This plugin allows your visitors to track their comments on your blog by checking a checkbox next to a comment form. This way they can receive email updates as comments are added to the post. This will make it easier for your visitors to follow conversations and it increases the chances that they will come back to your blog. 
5. Social Media Page – This plugin will allow you to display no more than 140 social networks profile links! Lots of people chose to display their social media links (especially on blogs) on the sidebars. If you want to “declutter” your sidebar, this plugin allows you to include your social profiles on any page or post just by inserting one line of code.
6. All in one SEO pack – Here are some features: Automatically optimizes your titles for search engines; Generates META tags automatically; Avoids the typical duplicate content found on WordPress blogs; For beginners, you don’t even have to look at the options, it works out-of-the-box. Just install. For advanced users, you can fine-tune everything. 
7. Tweet This – Adds a “Tweet This Post” link to every post and page. Shortens URLs. Can automatically tweet new blog posts. Customizable (check screenshots). Also included: Plurk, Yahoo Buzz, Delicious, Digg, Facebook, MySpace, Ping.fm, Reddit, and StumbleUpon support. 
8. Akismet – This is a spam killing plugin created by Matt Mullenweg, the founder of WordPress. Akismet is tightly integrated with WordPress itself, allowing for easy comment management.
9. Similarity – Returns links to similar posts. Similarity is determined by the way posts are tagged or by their categories.  
10. Zemanta – Zemanta is a plugin which helps you populate your post with rich content, such as links, photos and tags. It analyzes your content and presents suggestions appropriate for your post. Very useful to enrich your blog post.