Plugins are the power under WordPress’ hood. Are you using the latest and greatest? In this session you’ll get a rundown of 15 must-have plugins and why they’re important. You’ll also discover 5 more that go from essential to mind-blowing. Presented at Minnesota Blogger Conference 2012.

1. Photo: j / f / photos on Flickr

2. Photo: jrbrubaker on Flickr

3. My Assumptions
(And yes, I know the risk)
• You have great taste in session choice
• You know what a WordPress plugin is
• You know how to install & activate one
• You’re not here to hear about
wordpress.com or multisite installs

4. “Plugins are really the
heart and soul of WordPress
for many people.”
- Matt Mullenweg

5. But…
which ones
should you use?

6. Best WordPress Plugins
31,400,000 results
Essential WordPress Plugins
1,770,000 results
Must Have WordPress Plugins
6,280,000 results
Vital WordPress Plugins
1,660,000 results
Desert Island WordPress Plugins
2,170,000 results
Source: Google search results 9/22/12

7. It’s ridiculously subjective
Photos: dev null & waltarrrrron Flickr

8. “The WordPress plugins
you can’t live without
are the WordPress plugins
you can’t live without.”
- Lorelle VanFossen, Lorelle on WordPress

9. WP Plugin Search
Results default to relevance

10. My Criteria
I’ve included plugins that:
• I have used (or someone I trust has)
• solve a specific problem or meet a need
• are updated & supported
• are easy to use & configure
• are free (for the most part)

11. Plugin Directory
Plugins in the “official” directory are only by
developers who have agreed to play by the rules

12. Updates to
Directory Listings
Spring 2012

13. Updates to
Directory Listings
Spring 2012

14. Do Your Homework
• Check compatibility
• Last updated
• Rating
• Support

15. How Many is
Too Many?
Depends on if your plugins:
• Are extremely large
• Utilize 3rd party resources
• Are out dated or poorly coded

16. Beware of
Obsolescence
Know when to say goodbye

17. Keep WordPress
Updated

18. Keep WordPress
Updated
Even minor versions. They contain bug
fixes and security patches.

19. Keep Your
Plugins Updated

20. Or else…
Photo: kevin.is.a.sadpanda.eu

21. Changelog Tab
Makes it easy to view what has
changed in new version

22. 1. Akismet
Duh, right? But it is vital.

23. 2. WordPress SEO
by Yoast
SEO smart so you don’t always have to be

24. 3. ShareThis
Clean, simple sharing + analytics

25. 4. After the Deadline
Spelling, style & grammar police

26. 5. Yet Another
Related Posts Plugin
Encourage deeper dives into your content

27. 6. WP-PageNavi
Page navigation as it should have been

28. 7. Social Media
Widget
All your social links, all in one place

29. 8. BackUpWordPress
Um… backs up your stuff

30. 8b. Vaultpress
Alternate premium option ($15+)

31. 9. WP-DBManager
Database care & maintenance

32. 10. Contact Form 7
Easy, feature-rich, submission options,
3rd party integration/add-ons, customizable

33. 10b. Gravity Forms
Alternate premium option ($39)

34. 11. Find Replace
Because sometimes you need to

35. 12. Redirection
Quick, easy, can be a life-saver

36. 13. Google
Analyticator
Stats on your dashboard

37. 14. Maintenance Mode
In case of emergency, activate plugin

38. 15. Easing Slider
Simple, easy, clean slider solution

39. Photo: jrbrubaker on Flickr

40. +1: liveblog
Make any post a liveblog, viewers get new entries
instantly & automatically with no refresh

41. +2: editorial
calendar
Drag & drop post scheduling

42. +3: widget
context
Show or hide widgets based on page/post type

43. +4: wp google
fonts
Crazy easy to add & use Google fonts

44. +5: fluid video
embeds
YouTube auto-embed fix, full-width

45. Now It’s Your Turn
What are your favorites? Which do you hate?
Need other recommendations? Have questions?
Photo: a2gemma on Flickr

46. Thank
you!
Mykl Roventine
designer of things
myklroventine.com
@myklroventine
Headshot: Glimpses of Soul Photography