Top ten plugins for WordPress : Based on User recommendations

Heya folks, it’s time that we present you with our another gem from I2R Hamster Labs. This time we will bring our tested and most reviewed Top ten plugins for WordPress. This  list by us is based on our previous experiences, several trials and errors. And of course, above all – user recommendations. For beginners, we must tell you that WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems worldwide. Plugins are something which increase the overall functionality of WordPress. And it’s because of it’s exhaustive range of plugins that WordPress shines as a website building platform. Most of the new bloggers and webmasters are often confused about which plugins should be used. Many websites already provide such guides and personalized lists. But our list is based on inputs from various bloggers, new and old alike. So, let’s begin our top ten plugins for WordPress guide.

Top ten plugins for WordPress : Security plugins.

Security is something that WordPress is pretty good at by default too. But because of being a database driven platform based on PHP, it has it’s own vulnerabilities. So, installing and configuring the following plugins will ease of your security headaches. Well, at least for a while 😛

1.) Better WP-Security :
This plugin is a gem in terms of increasing security on WordPress. It not only serves the basic needs but also comes up with advanced features for those who want that extra layer of security.
Here’s a list of what you can do with Better WP- Security :
a.) Change admin slug : Most of the hackers target the WP admin page of a WordPress website. So, solution is simple : The plugin makes that URL non-functional and allows you to set custom URL for it, which of course only you will know. E.g. : “www.xyz.com/iamfunny” can be the admin URL for xyz.com .
b.) Hide Back-end : You can set to hide the Admin panel for a specific time duration daily or for a predefined set of days. Personally I like the ability to hide the back-end from late night till morning, this allows the blogger in me to sleep in peace.
c.) Change names of Database tables : You can change the names as well a prefixes in database tables, it protects from many basic attacks. Create a backup of your database before doing so. It can break some sites.
d.) Change name of Content Repositories : You can change the name of WP-content folder to something more difficult. (*But it’s not advisable) Because most of the themes and plugins are hard coded to call for WP-content folder. So I would advise not to enable this feature.
e.) Ban users based on IP : You can black list several IP’s as well as enable the default blacklist for extended security.
f.) Intrusion detection, file change detection & 404 file error detection : Enabling the 404 file detection is not recommended for shared hosting. But it allows you to know from it’s logs that which files are giving 404’s on your blog. As well as it allows you to know whether you are under brute force attack or false traffic attack or not.
g.) Database backup, SSL support : You can schedule the database backups to daily, weekly or hourly schedules. SSL support is only good for those who have bought a separate SSL service from their domain name provider.
h.) Log in Lock-down : This is the best feature of this plugin. You can set to log in lock down for an IP address after a number of failed attempts to log in  This is the best feature against the ongoing brute force attacks.
Download it.

2.) Bullet proof Security : Bullet proof security works in another dimension. It secures your site via the .htaccess file and not allowing core access to anyone other than the admin. It also has log in lock-down support. You can set .htaccess file in your root and wp-admin folders through this and it works against the most sophisticated attacks too. Download it.
The only thing that is bad about this plugin is that because of it’s modifications to .htaccess it can meddle with the working of other plugins which rely on the .htaccess file.

Reading now : Top ten plugins for WordPress.

Top ten plugins for WordPress : SEO plugins.

1.) WordPress SEO by Yoast :

This plugin is the definitive plugin in terms of SEO. It works, no extra frills and hoopla. It’s configuration is simple Allows a person to use focus keywords, post optimization, use meta keywords, proper language and grammatical suggestions. It also provides with canonical URLs, sitemaps, breadcrumbs and other features. And all the rest of it’s extended features make it one of the best free plugins out there. Download it.

2.) All in one SEO : Though this plugin is good. But I would recommend it to new bloggers only. Because it’s very simple with on advanced options. Yoast does a better job in that field. But if you are just starting out, then I would recommend to you to get a hang of All in one SEO pack plugin first. Download it.

3.) SEO-pressor : SEO fanatics swear by it. And many claim it to be the best SEO plugin ever made. But I would like to clear the air. It only has some minor extra details than Yoast. It offers people the choice for keyword decoration, viewing an article from the perspective of search engines, and some fine details here and there.
If you have the bucks then I would recommend this plugin to you. Otherwise, it’s best to stick with Yoast. Download it.

Reading now : Top ten plugins for WordPress.

Top ten plugins for WordPress : Performance plugins.

1.) W3- Total Cache :
The definitive plugin in terms of increasing the performance of your WP website. From shared hosting, to dedicated servers to private VPS, it works for all. Ours is an image intensive website, still with W3 installed we manage to get under the 2 seconds mark at times! Download it.
To cover W3- Total cache in this post is difficult, so read this guide by us : The ultimate guide to W3 Total cache settings.

2.) WP-Super Cache : Though W3 is the best across many hosts. But still WP-Super cache works better on slow hosts, and those on under powered shared hosting setups. You can check the guide for WP-super cache here. Download it.

( Webmaster Note : Using DB-Cache reloaded fix along with WP-super cache on some configurations may give a loading time of less than 1 second! )

3.) WP-optimize : This plugin helps you optimize your database tables from time to time. It’s an essential plugin because the database gets fragmented with time. Download it.

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Top ten plugins for WordPress : Sharing plugins.

1.) Share bar : Share bar brings to you simplicity and ease of use. It allows one to show a floating share bar on left hand side of posts, pages & attachments. Download it.
2.) WP-Socializer : WP-socializer is one of the best social sharing plugins. It has the features for almost every conceivable sharing button layout style. From top floating bar , to side floating bar to fixed buttons. It does them all. Download it now.

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Other top plugins for WordPress.

1.) Jetpack :
JetPack is developed by the parent company of WordPress. It enhances several features of WordPress.org self hosted installations by providing the features which are exclusive to WordPress.com users. Features like comment forms, social comments, infinite scroll, content distribution, photon ( loading of images from WordPress.com’s servers, which reduces load on your hosting. Several other features make it a must us plugin. Download Jetpack.

( Webmaster note : Though it’s a very nice plugin, using Jet pack slows down the websites which are not on a good hosting plan. So, you can try it for some days to check for any performance issues that may accompany it. )

2.) Akismet : Akismet takes care of comment spam. It drastically reduces comment spam and helps in keeping the headache of removing spam comments at bay. Download Akismet.

3.) Comment-Luv : Comment Luv is one of the best comment plugins out there. But it’s premium and as we know that all good things come for a price. It’s features include giving away do-follow links to those who share or promote a post exclusively or those who are the top commentators and it’s anti spam options too work well.
Download it.

4.) Ad-Inserter : Ad inserter allows you to insert your ads in any location throughout your website’s layout. It support fixed and float options. It works well with almost all ad networks. Just paste the code and voila it’s done. Download it.

5.) Insights : The insights plugin allows you to add links from within your post writing interface and allows you to search for links from specifically within your blog, Google Wikipedia etc. Download Insights.

6.) Facebook official plugin : This plugin allows you to integrate your Facebook app with your website. Any post which is liked on your website will show rich thumbnails. Many like and share options, recommendations bar, Facebook comments and several other post to timeline and fan page options make it an awesome social plugin. Download Facebook Plugin.

Reading now : Top ten plugins for WordPress.

So, let’s do a rain-check and we will get a list of the best top ten plugins for WordPress.

• 1.) W3-Total Cache.
• 2.) WP-Optimize.
• 3.) Better WP-security.
• 4.) Akismet.
• 5.) WordPress SEO by Yoast.
• 6.) Insights.
• 7.) WP-Socializer.
• 8.) Facebook official plugin.
• 9.) Ad-Inserter.
• 10.) Jetpack.

Reading now : Top ten plugins for WordPress.

Have any doubts, queries related to top ten plugins for WordPress ? Want to make some suggestions. Then do comment below!

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Tags : Blogging, wordpress, seo, tech.

Aditya Nath Jha

Aditya Nath Jha is an Engineer from New Delhi, India. His areas of interest include Gadgets, WordPress, speed optimization & latest technology. When he is not busy blogging he loves to write poetry, compose his own songs and has a taste for music! Find him on Facebook, Twitter, Linked in, Instagram. And watch his videos on YouTube.