The Top 30 Most Popular WordPress Plugins – Infographic

WordPress is the engine that drives over 150 million blogs on the World Wide Web. It is open source software that provides access for developers to create add on-ons (plugins) that increases its functionality for users with a few clicks. It was first released on May 27, 2003, by founders Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little. At last count there were over 22,000 plugins available to download.

One of the reasons it is used by many people as a blogging platform is that it is easy to use without having to be a programmer. It has become the de-facto blogging software for bloggers that  imagine and dream that one day they can monetize their knowledge and escape their day job and pursue their passion.

Turning a blog into revenue can be achieved in a variety of ways which includes on-site advertising, packaging your knowledge and selling it as an online course or as the core web portal that opens up business opportunities.

It is your online billboard and resume.

Flexibility and control

Ultimate flexibility is achieved by setting up WordPress with these three key features.

1. With your own domain name
2. A WordPress template
3. Self hosted with a web hosting company such as WebHostingBuzz.

This set-up allows you to customise almost any feature and functionality of your blog without another providers limitations. It provides you with control of your online destiny without fear of an external blogging or social media network such as Facebook or Tumblr shuttering your service because you didn’t obey their terms of use.

It may not be quite as easy to use, but if you have an inkling that you may take your blogging to a professional level one day or may get more serious about your online publishing. Then make that little extra effort from day one.

Take a closer look

If you want to check out the top 30 most popular WordPress plugins in more detail then here are the links with more in depth information.

1. All in One SEO Pack
2. Akismet
3. Google XML Sitemaps
4. Contact Form 7
5. NexGen Gallery
6. WP Super Cache
7. Google Analytics for WordPress
8. WP Touch
9. WordPress Importer
10. JetPack by WordPress.com
11. Fast Secure Contact Form
12. WP Page Navi
13. WordPress SEO by Yoast
14. Share Buttons by Lockerz
15. WP e-Commerce
16. Google Analyticator
17. Yet Another related Posts Plugin
18. Tiny MCE Advanced
19. Sociable
20. Really Simple Captcha
21. GTrans 
22. WP to Twitter
23. Broken Link Checker 
24. Add This
25. W3 Total Cache
26. Buddy Press
27. WP-DB-Backup
28. Smart YouTube Pro
29. Re-Direction
30. WP Polls

What is interesting to notice is the importance of SEO and AntiSpam with them appearing at the top of the list. Sharing of content functions is also important with the list appearance of social sharing function plugins such as LockerEz and sociable.

Want a Quick Snap Shot?

Here is an infographic that gives you an overview that sums it up in a glance or two.

Source: WPTemplate.com

What About You?

What Plugins do you use? Have they made a difference to your blogs performance, security or sharing.

Are there any plugins you think are worth a mention?

Look forward to hearing about them in the comments below.

Want to Learn More About How to Create Compelling Content that Your Audience Wants to Read?

My book – “Blogging the Smart Way – How to Create and Market a Killer Blog with Social Media” – will show you how.