[special_heading3 title_content= “BEST OF LIST” h_tag= “h3” title_color= “” sub_title1= “WORDPRESS PLUGINS” sub_title2= “My Favorite & Most Helpful WordPress Plugins” top_caption_color= “#757575” bottom_caption_color= “#757575” top_caption_size= “” bottom_caption_size= “18” top_caption_font= “h6” bottom_caption_font= “special” top_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” bottom_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “ByTUXm-Wr”][/special_heading3]

Everyone has their list of wordpress plugins that are installed right away.  Here are a few of my favorites that make my life easier and offer great functionality.  

One quick disclaimer, you really should try to cap your plugin usage at 6.  Now this can seem almost impossible when you have a theme that comes with tons of plugins.  Always test your speed and remove the ones you can.

[special_heading3 title_content= “#5” h_tag= “h3” title_color= “rgba(190,216,216,1)” sub_title1= “” sub_title2= “Google Analytics for WordPress” top_caption_color= “#757575” bottom_caption_color= “#757575” top_caption_size= “” bottom_caption_size= “18” top_caption_font= “h6” bottom_caption_font= “special” top_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” bottom_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “HkdB477bWH”][/special_heading3]
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This will help show you how your site is performing and to make sure you are ranking for the search terms your audience is looking for.

[special_heading3 title_content= “#4” h_tag= “h3” title_color= “rgba(190,216,216,1)” sub_title1= “” sub_title2= “Yoast SEO” top_caption_color= “#757575” bottom_caption_color= “#757575” top_caption_size= “” bottom_caption_size= “18” top_caption_font= “h6” bottom_caption_font= “special” top_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” bottom_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “HyMeBE7XZWr”][/special_heading3]
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The free version of this plugin works great at making sure your search terms / readability is up to par.

[special_heading3 title_content= “#3” h_tag= “h3” title_color= “rgba(190,216,216,1)” sub_title1= “” sub_title2= “Pretty Links” top_caption_color= “#757575” bottom_caption_color= “#757575” top_caption_size= “” bottom_caption_size= “18” top_caption_font= “h6” bottom_caption_font= “special” top_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” bottom_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “rk3xrEQXb-r”][/special_heading3]
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Exactly as it states this will make your links pretty.  It lets you revise the way the slug shows up.  People like to see what they are clicking on so a descriptive slug means more clicks.

[special_heading3 title_content= “#2” h_tag= “h3” title_color= “rgba(190,216,216,1)” sub_title1= “” sub_title2= “Slider Revolution” top_caption_color= “#757575” bottom_caption_color= “#757575” top_caption_size= “” bottom_caption_size= “18” top_caption_font= “h6” bottom_caption_font= “special” top_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” bottom_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “r1LbHVmXZbB”][/special_heading3]
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A good option if you need to use sliders on your site.  It does tend to slow site speed so try to avoid them in the design if possible.

[special_heading3 title_content= “#1” h_tag= “h3” title_color= “rgba(190,216,216,1)” sub_title1= “” sub_title2= “Advanced Custom Fields” top_caption_color= “#757575” bottom_caption_color= “#757575” top_caption_size= “” bottom_caption_size= “18” top_caption_font= “h6” bottom_caption_font= “special” top_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” bottom_caption_separator_color= “#efefef” hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “HklzBE77ZZB”][/special_heading3]
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This is an advanced plugin but very helpful if you need to create custom fields.  I will make a more in depth post on this at some point.

Just remember that when choosing WordPress plugins only use what you need and make sure to check your speed after installing to make sure they aren’t hurting your site more than they help.