5 Must Have WordPress Plugins + 4 Premium Plugin Providers

Resources For WordPress

WordPress Plugins, as explained in Introduction to Plugins, allow you to add any and all sorts of functionality to your website.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind about plugins…

• They can make your site not secure. Be sure to use only regularly updated plugins.
• The PHP code must be GPL licensed (compatible with the WordPress license).
• There is power in moderation. Too many plugins (or inefficient plugins) can slow your site down.
• The highest-rated doesn’t always mean the best fit/choice

With that in mind – here is a regularly updated list of Must Have plugins for every installation, and reputable WordPress Premium plugin providers to help you find that perfect plugin to build your high-quality website (be sure to browse the plugin directory as well for amazing free versions).

WordPress Must-Have Plugins

Akismet – If you are going to be allowing comments on your website, you must have Akisment activated (it’s already installed). It will stop spam comments in their tracks and free you up to write and run your website. See it in the WordPress directory here.

WP Better Security – Keep your website from being hacked. Covered in the tutorial on how to secure and back up WordPress.

WordPress SEO by Yoast – By far and away the most powerful and versatile SEO plugin for WordPress, here.

WP Super Cache – Speeds up your website by ‘caching’ your website. Much easier to setup than others, here.

WordPress Move – Keep your WordPress 100% backed up (files, database, and all). Find it in the directory, here.

WordPress Premium Plugin Providers

WooThemes

WooThemes makes the highest-quality eCommerce plugin (free), and add-ons for it. They also have a well-made widget manager, and a slider display. Check out WooThemes here…

WPMUdev

WPMUdev is the oldest premium plugin provider for WordPress. They have a huge library of plugins that can help you build anything. Check out WPMUdev here…

CodeCanyon

CodeCanyon is a marketplace where freelance programmers can sell their plugins. CodeCanyon enforces very high design and quality guidelines. Check out CodeCanyon here…

iThemes

iThemes makes several plugins to make your site work better, including tools for sliders, backing up, and emailing. Check out iThemes here…