Since I started this dad blog I have searched for many plugins and tried a few. There are hundreds but only a handful are worth using. There are 10 WordPress plugins that I found useful. So I hope this helps anyone who is starting out in the blogging world. So far my top 10 WordPress Plugins are:

  1. Akismet
  2. CommentLuv
  3. FeedBurner FeedSmith
  4. cforms
  5. Google Analytics for WordPress
  6. Google XML Sitemaps
  7. Simple Tags
  8. Sociable
  9. Subscribe To Comments
  10. Users to CSV

Although I use other plugins, these ones are the ones I find the most useful and provided me with the most value. So if you are starting out in the blogging world and plan to use WordPress then I suggest you check them out.

Short description of these plugins:

Akismet

This works great for keeping the spam comments out. Comes with WordPress and there is not really anything to configure.(Download from akismet.com)

CommentLuv

This adds a link to the lastest post of the person leaving a comment. A nice way to reward those who leave comments on your site. Read my earlier post CommentLuv for more details (found at http://www.commentluv.com/)

FeedBurner FeedSmith

Redirects your WordPress feeds to FeedBurner. Once you install and set it up you forget it’s there because there is nothing you need to do. (You can download at feedburner)

cforms

This is a great plugin for creating contact forms. There are lots and lots of options and customizations. I have touched only just enough to customize the form for my blog. (download from WordPress)

Google Analytics for WordPress

You will need the plugin if you want to use Google Analytics. I love Google Analytics as it is free, nice graphs, and more data than I would ever need. Very simple setup. (download from WordPress)

Google XML Sitemaps

This builds XML Sitemaps so that google can find pages on your site. Although there are several options it is ready to go once you install it. (download from WordPress)

Simple Tags

This is handy for managing tags and useful in selecting tags for your post. (download from WordPress)

Sociable

This will add the tiny Social Networking Icons to the bottom of your posts. I had problems with SocioFluid and Firefox so I found this plugin with much better options and works better. (download from WordPress)

Subscribe To Comments

Allows your users to subscribe to comments. I have subscribe to some just to see follow up comments and think this is a nice little feature to offer your readers. (download from WordPress)

Users to CSV

This plugin’s suggested use is for create mailing list of members and commenters. I don’t really like adding people to mailing lists unless I specifically notify people that they will be added to one so I don’t use it for that purpose. I use it to check out the sites of those who leave comments and sometimes to link back or mention their sites in posts. (download from WordPress)

Conclusion:

There are hundreds of plugins, some good and some not as good. Every blogger likes their own set of tools and what one person may like to use may not be what the next person likes. By reading articles from other pro bloggers I have sorted through a few pluggins and have found these 10 my favorite.

Still my search for plugins, graphics and other blogging tools continues. If you have a favourite plugin that I have not mentioned please post a comment I would love to see what you have found.