WordPress Plugins to Get Started With

Now that you’ve made the leap and have chosen WordPress for your website, you’re going to want to start customizing it with plugins.

A plugin is an ‘add-on’ piece of software that you can get to add hundreds of possible functions to your site! You’ll find so many free and plugins available online, thousands in fact, that it may feel overwhelming to choose from them.

My advice is to start with the basics and grow from there. Be careful not to go overboard with your plugins either because too many can create issues and outdated ones can cause potential security risks. I’m not trying to scare you, just do your due diligence and make sure you’re getting your plugins from a reputable developer (ie. creator).

Below are a few recommended plugins to get you started:

1. All-In-One-SEO Pack: Before your website will perform in the manner that you want it to, you have to have people visiting first. The All-In-One-SEO Pack plugin will let you help you achieve this by making it easier for internet users to find your blog.How? You will be able to adjust your titles, tweak your item descriptions and add relevant keywords to your posts, enabling you rank higher in the search engines, which will ultimately generate more traffic for you.
2. WordPress Contact Form 7.0: The WordPress Contact Form 7.0 plugin is a must have for all business professionals, especially service providers. It easily gives freelancers, and other business men and women using WordPress, an advantage over those who don’t because it allows them to collect the information of the people contacting them.For example, some of the default fields included are: subject, message, name, email address and submit. However, it can be customized to fit your exact needs. It’s also a great way to pre-screen potential clients and customers, or have them ‘apply’ to work with you. This is all done without coding!

The thing to remember about plugins is that they make your life easier when it comes to managing and maintaining your website, which will ultimately help your website succeed!

Need help finding, setting up and using your plugin stash? Check out the WordPress Workshop on Digging Into WordPress Plugins here:
http://www.WebsiteDesignMojo.com/workshops/

Tags: contact form plugin, how to use wordpress, seo plugin, wordpress course, wordpress training, wordpress websites