Best WordPress Plugins
WordPress Plugins are easy to install pre-written software scripts that make adding functionality to your website extremely simple. Just like themes, some plugins are free while others can be purchased.
While plugins can add interactive features, function and utility tools you should use them with caution.
Since plugins are created by different coders they can interfere with one another and cause errors.
Installing too many plugins will slow your website down and create a poor user experience.
Here is a list of what I consider the core basics for a business website built with WordPress as a CMS (content management system).
Free Best WordPress Plugins
These plugins are all located in the WordPress plugin directory and can be imported directly from the plugins page.
All-In-One-SEO Pack By Michael Torbert
Out of all the Free SEO plugins this one is the easiest to use and it’s good. It is considered an out-of-the-box ready to use plugin that makes it simple to add your own title, description, and keywords to each page and post. It also has additional features like a place to add your Google Analytics ID, a way to exclude pages, and a feature to autogenterate descriptions and more.
Broken Link Checker by Janis Elsts
Broken links are a real no no when it comes to SEO. Both visitors and search engines seem unhappy when they come across them. The Broken Link Checker can keep you aware of any broken links. It includes features such as how often it should check the links, stops search engines from following broken links, and you can even have it send you an email whenever it finds one.
Google XML Sitemaps by Arne Brachold
This plugin generates a XML sitemap that helps the search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing and Ask.com to better index your blog by creating a list of links of all your pages and posts. This straightforward link list is easy for the bots to crawl and helps to ensure your whole website gets indexed. Definitely worth the time since once set up this plugin runs on auto pilot.
Fast Secure Contact Form by Mike Challis
This form plugin has many features and options yet is simple to use. The basic form is easy to install on a page or post with a one line [short code]. You simply add the short code to your new contact page once you set up the form options and your done. Features include customizable email reply and send to subjects, captcha, form fields and much more.
WordPress Database Backup by Austin Matzko
This plugin backs up database content but not plugins, themes, and css changes. Features: you select which databases you want to backup, can backup immediately, can schedule backups and have them sent to you via email. This is the best free backup solution that I have found but still leave much to be desired. For a complete website backup see my recommendations below.
Best Premium WordPress Plugins
Push Button SEO
This plugin works in conjunction with the All-In-One-SEO Pack plugin. While not an absolute must have it is my number one top pick plugin. Push Button SEO makes it super easy to see what your pages and posts need in order to get high search engine rankings. A visual bar graph shows you how your content should fair with the search engines using the elements suggested from the Google Webmaster Guidelines and from the creators personal experiences.
On page SEO is much more than just having the right title, description and keywords place correctly on a page. This is the only plugin that I know of that goes the extra mile and helps with other important factors such as internal and external linking, quality content curation, and other types of media.
If you should choose to purchase this plugin you’ll get complete video training, support and a 30 day money back guarantee. There’s also a members area that provide free internet marketing training that’s worth the price alone. You can get immediate access to this Push Button SEO software on their website.
Backup Buddy Premium
Your Business Website is a true asset and can cost you customers if not protected. Backing up your website is vital to ensure your website is “live” and working properly. If your site is infected with malware, gets hacked, or the files get corrupted, you will want to have a clean backup that you can restore quickly.
For a complete backup of your website you may want to consider using Backup Buddy. This premium plugin not only backs up everything on your website it makes it easy to export to another web hosting company.
The onetime purchase is for the lifetime license and is priced around $75.00 and can be found on their website pluginbuddy.com
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