If you are starting out on your blog, be sure to find what plugin to use. There are many great plugins to use for any blog. But, don't install too many plugins on your blog because it will burden the system and make your blog slow to load.
The fewer plugins you use, the better for your blog. If possible, don't use the plugin directly.
However, it is quite impossible unless all the functions you need have been integrated with the theme you are using. The key is before you want to install any plugin, ask yourself first.
Do you need these plugins? Is there any other alternative way that does not need to use plugins? For that, we have listed some really important plugins, and maybe these plugins are all you need for your blog:
The 8 Must-Have WordPress Plugins in 2023
Keep reading to find out what and why these plugins are necessary.
1. Simple Google reCAPTCHA
Simple Google reCAPTCHA is essential for the security and SEO of your website.
First of all, it can prevent you from being attacked by attempts to brute force login.
Second, it can filter spam comment attempts from entering and flooding your comment space.
These comments will be accompanied by links that may bring down the dignity of your site.
(And so on-site SEO)
We highly recommend you install Google reCAPTCHA.
2. Contact Form 7
Contact Form 7 is a simple, lightweight, and easy-to-use contact form plugin.
OK, it may not be as easy as drag and drop, but this plugin we think is very light when compared to any other contact form plugin.
It is the oldest and most popular contact form plugin.
3. Yoast SEO
The Yoast SEO plugin is the only SEO plugin you need to make sure your blog is getting proper SEO help.
It is very good whether you are a beginner or a veteran of blogging.
Yoast SEO plugins will always advise you with their simple color labeling in every one of your posts.
If it shows green, it means "Good SEO," while red SEO is not good.
In addition to SEO audits, this plugin also comes with some important functions such as a site map, verification for search engines like Google, Bing, and Yandex, breadcrumbs, and your ability to control the appearance of your post on Facebook display.
4. Jetpack
Jetpack is a plugin owned by Automattic (related to WordPress).
It's also very useful for your site.
This plugin's functions are website security, viewing website traffic, social site share buttons, and more.
You do not need to install many plugins. Instead, use Jetpack and the functions offered are enough.
Since there are more than 30 modules (functions) in this plugin, you need to know how to set it so that it does not burden your site.
5. Akismet
The Akismet plugin works to filter spam comments from being accepted into your blog.
(which may be missed by Google reCAPTCHA)
Comments are important for blogs.
It shows your post is well-received and useful, and, in turn, helps raise the ranking of the post.
But it only refers to original comments from actual readers.
Bot comments or spam are the opposite - Dropping your post ranking.
These spam comments come first one by one, then ten, then hundreds until you can't handle them.
So use this Akismet plugin. It's free only.
This plugin is also owned by Automattic and requires the Jetpack plugin for easy installation.
6. WP Fastest Cache
This WP Fastest Cache plugin makes your site faster to load in the view of users.
When your site is fast, users like it, and this will increase your ranking in search engines like Google.
The importance of this plugin is especially noticeable when your site is already ‘big,’ has a lot of posts, and may have scripts for additional functionality.
For setting this plugin, you can do the following:
7. Smush
This Smush plugin is special to shrink the pictures you have and upload them to your site.
Large images also cause our site to be slow.
Usually, we will target the image size we use to be less than 100kb.
It's small and good.
(Except for websites that are indeed specialized for showcasing photos, and photography and that require beautiful photographs).
To make it easier for us to reach these targets, we use this plugin.
8. UpdraftPlus
Next, you need the UpdraftPlus plugin to back up the website.
UpdraftPlus is the best free plugin you can use for that purpose.
Get used to making backups regularly, for example, once a week and each time before making any major modifications or updates to the site.
Additional list: Optional plugins as needed
The next list is plugins that you may need but is not required to.
1. Classic Editor
If you don't like the latest WordPress block view, you can switch to the classic editor view.
We use this Classic Editor plugin to restore the original look for posts and page edits.
In our opinion, this classic display is easier to use and has more extensive controls.
2. Recent Posts Widget With Thumbnails
If you want to add widget options, you can probably use this plugin.
This plugin allows you to display the latest post along with a featured image in the widget section.
(Widgets from WordPress for recent posts do not provide an option to display images)
3. AddFunc Head & Footer Code
This plugin is useful if you want to place additional scripts in the head or footer without having to touch your theme file.
This plugin becomes important if you successfully get Google AdSense approval.
Or if you join any affiliate program that requires a certain code to be placed in the head or footer of your website.
4. WebP Converter for Media
This plugin is useful if your site uses a lot of images.
For example, photography websites, travel, and models need beautiful and quality pictures.
The advantage of WebP files over jpeg, jpg, and png is that they are smaller in size with the same quality.
When the size is small, it is lightweight and good for performance and website speed.
The tip we often use is to install plugins only if necessary.
Don’t burden your site with plugins that don’t provide any in-depth benefits to your site.
