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.
- With your own domain name
- A WordPress template
- 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.
- All in One SEO Pack
- Akismet
- Google XML Sitemaps
- Contact Form 7
- NexGen Gallery
- WP Super Cache
- Google Analytics for WordPress
- WP Touch
- WordPress Importer
- JetPack by WordPress.com
- Fast Secure Contact Form
- WP Page Navi
- WordPress SEO by Yoast
- Share Buttons by Lockerz
- WP e-Commerce
- Google Analyticator
- Yet Another related Posts Plugin
- Tiny MCE Advanced
- Sociable
- Really Simple Captcha
- GTrans
- WP to Twitter
- Broken Link Checker
- Add This
- W3 Total Cache
- Buddy Press
- WP-DB-Backup
- Smart YouTube Pro
- Re-Direction
- 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.
