Continuing with our new online blog series, here’s another post that shows you how to install plugins when using WordPress and what are some of the must have plugins if you want your blog to succeed online.
This blog post is part of our newly created blogging series that aims to help new users (newbies) on how to setup, manage and maintain an online blog using WordPress CMS..
It was first started with this beginning post and continued with Post Two, Three, and Four. If you haven’t been following and wish to know how to setup WordPress online, then I’d suggest that you start from the first post.
Now that you’ve got WordPress up and running, here’s how to install plugins. WordPress plugins are small, sometimes independent programs that help you improve WordPress. Some of them help speed up your site, enhance pages, make your blog search-engine friendly, and provide other services that will you’ll benefit from.
With that said, lets’ go and install our first plugin. To do that, logon to WordPress admin dashboard.
http://mypersonalonlineblog.com/wp-admin
When you’re there, go to Plugin –> Add New
On Plugins page, you can search for and install plugins you like. If you know the name of the plugin you wish to install, search for it in the search box and click the button.
One thing to remember, even though most plugins are good, the more you install, especially those that come with their own JavaScript and CSS files, the slower your site will run.
So be cautious when installing plugins.
Now you know how to install plugins, here are some of the plugins you should install on every blog you own.
Must Have WordPress Plugins
1) Akismet — This plugin comes with WordPress by default and it’s created by the company behind WordPress. All you have to do is activate this plugin. It will help you prevent and combat spammers to your blog.
2) WordPress SEO – I use this plugin on all my online blogs. It helps you optimize your blog so you can rank better with search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo! . Believe me, if you don’t make your blog attractive to search engines, people won’t find it easily. So, go ahead and install this plugin.
3) W3 Total Cache – This is another plugin that will help make your blog run faster. The reason you want you blogs to run faster is because search engines like faster website, especially Google. Google may rank (show you pages first) you site better than other sites that are slower.
So, to perform well on search engine’s result pages, install and configure this plugin.
4) Contextual Related Posts –> Here’s another plugin that you should install on your blogs. This add related posts at below all your posts to help your users find related articles. It may also help you users stay longer on your site.
There are more wonderful plugins that you can use to enhance your blog but be very cautious when installing plugins. Plugins are good in most cases, however, bad plugins will slow your website, expose security vulnerabilities or crash your site altogether.
After you search for a plugin, use the Install link to install it as shown below.
After installing it, use the ‘Activate Plugin’ link to activate it or make it usable.
When’re done, go to the ‘Installed Plugins’ to view all your installed plugins.
That’s it for today. Next time, we’ll show you how we configure these plugins on your own online blogs.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I install Wordpress plugins to enhance my online blog?
To install Wordpress plugins, log in to your Wordpress admin dashboard, go to Plugins -> Add New, search for the plugin you want, and click install. Be cautious when installing plugins as they can slow down your site.
What are some must-have plugins for a successful blog on Wordpress?
Some essential plugins for a successful blog on Wordpress include Akismet for spam protection, Yoast SEO for optimizing content, and W3 Total Cache for site speed.
How do Wordpress plugins help in improving a blog's performance?
Wordpress plugins are small programs that enhance Wordpress functionality. They can help speed up your site, improve SEO, enhance pages, and provide various services to benefit your blog.
What are the risks of installing too many plugins on a Wordpress site?
Installing too many plugins, especially those with their own JavaScript and CSS files, can slow down your site. It's important to be cautious and only install necessary plugins to maintain site performance.
Where can I find plugins to install on my Wordpress blog?
You can find and install plugins for your Wordpress blog from the Plugins section in your Wordpress admin dashboard. Simply search for the desired plugin and click install to add it to your site.
Why is it important to choose plugins carefully for a Wordpress blog?
Choosing plugins carefully is crucial as they can impact your site's performance. It's advisable to select plugins that are necessary for your blog's functionality and avoid installing excess plugins that may slow down your site.
How can Wordpress plugins help in making a blog search-engine friendly?
Certain Wordpress plugins are designed to optimize your content for search engines, improving your blog's visibility and ranking. Plugins like Yoast SEO can assist in creating SEO-friendly content.
What should I consider before installing a new plugin on my Wordpress site?
Before installing a new plugin on your Wordpress site, consider its purpose, reviews, compatibility with your current setup, and whether it is necessary for enhancing your blog's functionality. This will help ensure smooth performance and avoid site issues.
