The WAHMaholic Uses These WordPress Plug-ins Part 1

As much as possible, I try not to use a plug-in if I can insert a line (or two) of code directly to the template. It’s not the last resort, but when I need additional functionality, I look at existing plug-ins for the purpose and see if I can do better by just inserting codes manually or just installing a plug-in.

However, a girl can only research and learn so much, and if I deem it too hard to code or too tiring to figure out how to do manually, I use a plug-in. As I always say, “When all else fails, use a plug-in”.

Following is a list (in alphabetical order) of half of what I currently use (there is a Part 2 for this post, yes). I am planning to overhaul all my blogs’ designs before the year ends, and I might be removing some more of these plug-ins if I find time to code the necessary bits.

Akismet. I have tried other spam prevention plug-ins, but I always come back to Akismet because I believe it’s the best there is.

Easy Contact. I also use this for all my blogs and for all the blogs I have designed for that doesn’t have a contact page yet. Two clicks and a single line to copy and paste to a contact page is all it takes.

Google XML Sitemaps. One of the early plug-ins I used when I started on WordPress. Like Easy Contact, it’s pretty easy to set-up.

Smart Archives Reloaded. I never install a blog without this. A no-brainer, since it’s so easy to install, and is really an eye-candy no matter my layout.

WordPress Database Backup. MOST important plug-in of all. I’d just die without this. If I can only have one plug-in for the rest of my blogging days, I will pick this without a moment’s hesitation.

That’s it for now. Maybe you can learn a thing or two about what plug-ins to use on your own blogs.

Part two of this post is HERE.