I could be off by 4.5 million or so, but I really can’t be bothered to count up the actual number of WordPress tools and resources this post points to. Let’s just agree it’s a lot and get on with life.
Here I attempt to organize resources into groups for easy, time-saving usage. I also attempt to make it more than just a list of stuff by adding insight, wit, and the kind of humor you have to pay $120 per ticket for in Vegas. I said “attempt,” all right?
Hey, help a follower out and Tweet about this one!
Mega Lists of WordPress Tools
- WordPress God: Mashable’s attempt to make all other lists of WordPress tools irrlevant.
You know what? I’ve decided Mashable has succeeded. This is the only list you need. In fact, it is far more than you would ever need. Remember, the more you add to your blog, the more things can go wrong. Especially with plugins. So don’t go crazy. Look for something cool for your readers, your marketing, your community building, and add things sparingly to your blog!
WordPress Video Tutorials
- 110+ WordPress Video Tutorials from Beginner to Advanced: Just about everything is covered in these videos from different sites. They are pretty high quality on average, and designed to cover an issue at a time for the most part. And there’s a LOT of them!
WordPress Plugins
- 30+ Must Have WordPress Plugins: This is a good, recent list. Remember what I said about going overboard on plugins above. Use what you really need, add one at a time so if something goes all hooky you know which one did it, and don’t turn your blog into a carnival of distraction!
- Plugins list from AjaxLine: This is one of those loud-ass sites with way too much going on for my taste, but there are some good, unusual plugins here.
- 17 Really Useful Plugins That Probably Are Essential: It doesn’t sound too convincing, but the list is good.
- Martin Malden’s WordPress Plugins List: Wealthy Dragon’s recommended list of WordPress plugins. When faced with his dual childhood dreams of growing up to be either wealthy or a dragon, Martin chose both. Good move Martin. Good move.
- Maria’s 5 SEO Plugins for WordPress
My WordPress Plugins Currently Running on Friday Traffic Report
I’m a reductionist. A simplifist. I’m on a kick to “Semper Fi” my plugins to only the most crucial I can’t live without. Here’s what’s activated right now for this blog:
- Akismet: I don’t know how people can blog without this spam comment eliminator. I’ll never turn it off. Never!
- All In One SEO: One of the most popular WordPress plugins right now, this puppy is a staple on the Friday Traffic Report.
- BackType Connect: I love this plugin. I switched quickly from Disqus to this because it captures all the Tweets about my posts as well as comments and conversations from practically everywhere on the web.
- Cross-linker: Absolutely essential for turning keywords and phrases from anywhere, anytime on your blog to links. Link to affiliate products, change them when you find a better product later, and control the flow of your traffic as well as imrove your internal link structure from pages and posts to each other.
- Did You Pass Math?: For the spammers who can fool Akismet.
- Do Follow: Removes the evil no-follow default WordPress sticks you with on install. Thanks Dennis!
- Exec-PHP: Because I like to run php scripts in posts sometimes. We all have our little quirks.
- FeedBurner FeedSmith: I believe “DUH” is the best way to describe why I use this one.
- Ozh’ Admin Drop Down Menu: Because WordPress 2.7 really, REALLY pisses me off with that side menu. This puts the admin menu back where it belongs. Please stop drinking and coding, developers!
- PingPressFM: Because the entire world is entitled to my opinion, no matter where they surf.
- PostRank: There’s no accounting for individual taste. That’s why I average what you like to come up with what readers seem to like best.
- Related Sites: One of the best damned link building tools for bloggers that no one talks about. Fight Club style!
- Smart Update Pinger: Upgraded from Dumb Update Pinger which really wasn’t adequate.
- Subscribe To Comments: The original “poke” feature on the web for bloggers.
- Tweet This: Making it easy for my excellent ideas to spread. But it’s mostly my bad ideas that get Tweeted the most. What’s up with that?
- WishList Member: Runs the Friday Traffic Report Insiders Club where are my beautiful and most talented readers are. Are you beautiful and talented? Want to be? Then test this plugin out by joining the FTR Insiders Club!
- WordPress Database Backup: Unless you’re intent on memorizing everything you’ve ever written and planning to type it all back in when you blog crashes, and it will eventually, you should use this plugin.
- WordPress Link Directory: A good link directory script for WordPress. Dump your best resources here and be a hero. The world needs more of us.
- WP-ContactForm: At some point people are going to figure out where you actually get your mail. Head them off at the pass and install this plugin so you don’t get stalked, spammed, or otherwise bothered by the weirdos of the web. Some weirdos have figured out how to use forms now, so be warned.
That’s it! Some people say I still use too many plugins. I usually tell them to bite me.
Mass WordPressing
- WordPress MU: When you want to start your own evil empire of blogs, nothing less will do.
- BuddyPress: Tweaks your WordPress MU into a social networking platform.
Let’s see. What else can we do to make this the longest post in history? I think I’m done for now.
So what kinds of WordPress tools, plugins, and resources have you found lately?
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