I guess everyone sooner or later writes one of these MUST HAVE plugin type posts. So for posterity here goes:

1) All in One SEO Pack

2) Contact Form 7 (Requires "Really Simple CAPTCHA" plugin)

3) Google Analytics for WordPress

4) Smart 404 (For intelligently handling 404 errors this is ace)

5) Tiny MCE Advanced

6) FormBuilder (Not every site needs forms but if you do this is the one)

7) BackupBuddy - This one is a commercial plugin, not free. But I have found it to be sooo freakin useful it makes my list.

There are lots of other useful plugins but this is the bare minimum for every site I reckon.

I am wondering what do you think about "must have" components of Joomla...

Originally Posted by rkoziol7

I am wondering what do you think about "must have" components of Joomla...

Ask somebody else.
I never use it.

Wordpress for simple CMS sites.
PrestaShop for ecommerce.
Drupal for everything else.

If you held a gun to my head, I would say not essential but for
a professional CMS finish this plugin also should make the grade.


White Label CMS
http://www.videousermanuals.com/white-label-cms/

For simplifying the Admin screen AND adding some appropriate branding.

1) All in One SEO Pack

I actually prefer FV All in One SEO Pack. A little less confusing for clients.

7) BackupBuddy

I have been very happy with WP-DBManager(free). Keeps sites speedy by optimizing the database and also backing up in case of future problems.

I would probably add:

1. http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/revision-control/
This is great because WP really clutters up the database with tons of revisions! No need for more than a few imo. Especially when you are creating a site initially, you know how many times you go back and forth with minor revisions.

2. http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/.../installation/
A little shocked this is not on the list, but I guess for seldom visited sites you don't really need it.

A personal favorite [not for every site maybe]:
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/...ive-galleries/
I have never needed to use any type of convoluted gallery plugin while using this.
(Along with http://justintadlock.com/archives/20...gallery-plugin)

Originally Posted by TWD

I guess everyone sooner or later writes one of these MUST HAVE plugin type posts. So for posterity here goes:

There are lots of other useful plugins but this is the bare minimum for every site I reckon.

1) All in One SEO Pack (Totally Agree)

2) Contact Form 7 (Requires "Really Simple CAPTCHA" plugin) (Definite Must Have)

3) Google Analytics for WordPress (Nope, just a waste of resources. Use the one on their website.)

4) Smart 404 (For intelligently handling 404 errors this is ace) (I don't know what this is but automation for handling 404s is always nice)

5) Tiny MCE Advanced (Nah, just another resource grabber. You have an Editor and HTML one too)

6) FormBuilder (Not every site needs forms but if you do this is the one) (Contact Form 7 works just fine. This is just extra bloat.)

7) BackupBuddy - This one is a commercial plugin, not free. But I have found it to be sooo freakin useful it makes my list. (Use SQLyog, it's desktop, fast and much much better for DB backups as well as DB editing.)

neverheard of those plugins before though but smart 404 is good. i'd rather insert analytics code from adsense itself than installing google analytics for wordpress? with it, whats the difference?

Nice thread! Its a great to learn about some new plugins that i had never heard of..

cheers
Josh

5) Tiny MCE Advanced (Nah, just another resource grabber. You have an Editor and HTML one too)

* The problem is that by default, the WordPress WYSYWG strips out certain HTML tags which is frustrating. Also, most clients dont know squat about CSS floats so they need to set up a table to enter and position content. Tiny MCE Advanced fixes both those issues.

6) FormBuilder (Not every site needs forms but if you do this is the one) (Contact Form 7 works just fine. This is just extra bloat.)

Yes, Contact 7 does work just fine. But it doesn't store any of the results. Some clients want to be able to have a record of form submissions, as in a downloadable CSV. Formbuilder does that.

7) BackupBuddy - This one is a commercial plugin, not free. But I have found it to be sooo freakin useful it makes my list. (Use SQLyog, it's desktop, fast and much much better for DB backups as well as DB editing.)

I think you missed the point. I want something that does automated backups of the client's site. There are other plugins which just backup the DB, but BackupBuddy does a total backup, including both DB AND the code files. Also, it makes migrating a site to a development server or vice versa a breeze.

FormBuilder sounds interesting. May have to check that out.

Originally Posted by TWD

I want something that does automated backups of the client's site. There are other plugins which just backup the DB, but BackupBuddy does a total backup, including both DB AND the code files. Also, it makes migrating a site to a development server or vice versa a breeze.

I noticed the word migration and it piqued my interest. It the development and production servers are different domains, how would it handle embedded images inside posts and pages? You would still have to manually edit the source references, wouldn't you?

Typically, I am old fashioned and FTP the files and SQL the database. It is second-nature and just as easy.

Originally Posted by TWD

I guess everyone sooner or later writes one of these MUST HAVE plugin type posts. So for posterity here goes:

1) All in One SEO Pack

2) Contact Form 7 (Requires "Really Simple CAPTCHA" plugin)

3) Google Analytics for WordPress

4) Smart 404 (For intelligently handling 404 errors this is ace)

5) Tiny MCE Advanced

6) FormBuilder (Not every site needs forms but if you do this is the one)

7) BackupBuddy - This one is a commercial plugin, not free. But I have found it to be sooo freakin useful it makes my list.

There are lots of other useful plugins but this is the bare minimum for every site I reckon.

Top 3 I am already using but don't know about others

there are also some useful plugins which also you must need

Originally Posted by RonnieTheDodger

FormBuilder sounds interesting. May have to check that out.



I noticed the word migration and it piqued my interest. It the development and production servers are different domains, how would it handle embedded images inside posts and pages? You would still have to manually edit the source references, wouldn't you?

Typically, I am old fashioned and FTP the files and SQL the database. It is second-nature and just as easy.

This is part of why I am so impressed.

From time to time I have been a bit sloppy and hard coded URL references into widgetized text blocks and so forth. The Plugin seems to know about those and puts in the new "correct". Magic.

Originally Posted by TWD

This is part of why I am so impressed.

From time to time I have been a bit sloppy and hard coded URL references into widgetized text blocks and so forth. The Plugin seems to know about those and puts in the new "correct". Magic.

Okay, you sold me! Definitely will add that to my developers must have plugins.

I've switched from All in One SEO to
Yoast WordPress SEO plugin.

Yoast is a Dutch guy and heavy hitter in the WordPress world.
So anything by him is going to be rock solid and likely supported for a long time.
It has just a few more options than All in One.
For example it incorporates an XML sitemap so you dont need a separate plugin for that.
So far I like it.

read this, you'll find out more plugins (must-have plugins) for wordpress 3
http://links.com/2010/11/22-best-mus...press-plugins/

Another useful plugin if you are the security paranoid type is
"Limit Login Attempts" Plugin
It will help protect your site from brute force login attempts.

Also if you are running a blog I think the following two are MUST HAVES
for encouraging repeat visits.
"Subscribe to Comments"
and
"Subscribe2"

I am inclined to add this to the list after my hosting company contacted me today about a TimThumb exploit vulnerability they found.

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/...ility-scanner/