It’s been about a month since I moved my blogs from free WordPress.com platforms to paid WordPress.org themes. I did this primarily to explore the various creative options and discover new ways to help the students I advise better their website.
One of the greatest features about WordPress.org is the flexibility it provides. Many options are available via plug-ins to those of us who know “just enough to be dangerous” about coding.
I am admittedly still learning a lot about plug-ins, but I am amazed by all of the great things they can do.
Below are some of my favorite WordPress.org plug-ins. For those of you still using WordPress.com, I’ve provided the alternative (and perhaps easier) method to doing most of these things on your sites as well.
- AddToAny – This plug-in allows your readers to share your site through just about any platform you can imagine. It also has format options for the button’s appearance and where you place it on your blog.
If you are using WordPress.com, you can find social media button options under “settings” and “sharing.”
- Akismet – Keep this plug-in up-to-date and it will protect your blog from almost all potential spam comments. You will have to register on their external site before you can use the option.
If you are using WordPress.com, you can find an Akismet option in your widgets.
- Feedburner E-mail Widget – This plug-in allows you to place an e-mail subscription widget anywhere on your site where widgets are allowed. Some subscribers prefer e-mail subscriptions to keep them up-to-date on your blog posts.
If you are using WordPress.com, you probably have a subscriber widget in your widgets menu.
- Social Media Widget – This plug-in allows you to connect your readers with you on a variety of social media platforms. In fact, there were more social media options than I have accounts. Again, you can place this widget anywhere your theme allows widgets.
If you are using WordPress.com, you probably have widgets for social media connections like Twitter.
- WP Mobile Detector – Use this plug-in to create a simple mobile version of your site. It allows you to choose between basic or advanced mobile devices and to record mobile statistics. If you click your “themes” under “appearance” after you install this plug-in, you can choose from several themes for your mobile site.
If you are using WordPress.com, you can find a mobile option of your site under “Appearance” and “Extras.”
- WordPress Importer – This plug-in helps you move your content from one blog to another. I used it to move my blogs from the free WordPress site to WordPress.org. It worked seamlessly.
There are so many options that I know I’m missing a ton of great plug-ins on this list. What is your favorite WordPress.org plug-in or WordPress.com feature?
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