Greatest WordPress Plugins For Growing Your Blog

Hey, hi, hello lovelies,

Plugins are such helpful ways to getting around your website without having to do all these complicated HTML stuff. That’s why I prefer WordPress over BlogSpot since I want to be able to customise and design my blog layout just the way I want as well as let you, readers, easily navigate through my site. I want my site to be like my little brain, full of personality.

Anyways, you’re here for WordPress plugins too use right?

There are plenty of Plugins out there and I chose these plugins because they personally help me with the layout of my site as well as adding in extensions such as share buttons, spam filtering comments etc. Maybe you already have these plugins (some are very popular nowadays).

You don’t need HTML or website tech skills to use these plugins, however, some settings might be complicated or confusing to use so I will be linking a tutorial video at the end of the paragraph in case you need more assistance.

And yes, of course, these plugins are free or upgradeable for the premium version.

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliates. I earn a compensation if you purchase the product. I do not add affiliates that I do not like or approve on. You do not have to purchase the items but I would absolutely appreciate it if you do!*

Akismet Anti-Spam

Akismet Anti-Spam helps filters out your comment section with real comments or spam comments from spam bots or just people who post nasty things.
I love this so MUCH! I get spam comments nearly every week and I would hate to have to go through all of them and delete comments that are filled with scams or horrible websites.
It’s pretty easy to install, just add in your API code and it will do its job. Also, this plugin is also with Jetpack.com by WordPress.

Contact Form 7

Contact Form 7 let your readers contact you through email by using a contact form that can be configured in your post, pages or widgets.
I installed this plugin on my contacts page so readers can be able to contact me through my work email without having to ask for my business email. It’s literally a lifesaver if sponsors contact you, those who want to guest post or just a lovely email from your readers.
You can create as many contact forms as you like. Just add in where you want those to contact you through your desired email, edit the subheadings and copy that small code onto a page etc.

Easy Google Fonts

Easy Google Fonts let you pick as much different typographies from Google suited for your blog site and posts such as headers, subtext and paragraph text.
You can tell by this post that I use separate text faces for different areas like headings, subheadings, warnings and my intro and end to the post.
Some WordPress themes don’t come with many texts faces options. That’s why I’m happy I found out about this plugin. There are so many to pick from (literally like thousands of typography) and you can filter them by the type of style or family you want. It will be able to customise nearly everything on your site that includes text such as headings, subheadings, paragraph text, sidebar text etc.

jQuery Pin It Button for Images

Installed onto your images, jQuery lets your readers quickly pin your images. The icon can be customizable to suit your personal style and theme.
If you’re a Pinterest user or want your post to be shared on Pinterest, absolutely get this plugin if you don’t have it. I must admit, it took me a long time to find a plugin where I can have this little icon on my images so readers can pick a picture and share my post on Pinterest the easier way.
You can also customise your little Pin icon like I have or you can choose the default red pin button.

MailChimp for WordPress

MailChimp helps readers sign up for your subscription or email listing so they will be able to keep up to date with your post, engage or receive freebies.
Now, Jetpack already had the subscription already installed but I want to be able to control how my email readers catch up on my post without having to get RSS spammed in their email inbox. For those who are new to email listing or just wanting to share RSS for the latest blog updates, definitely, go for MailChimp then upgrade it.

What’s awesome about this tool is that you can customise how your email can be seen for your audience (such as adding your blog banner, fonts, layouts and more). Use this if you want to increase your email list or share your latest post through email for your readers.

Super Socializer

Super Socializer is a tool to let readers quickly comment, follow & share your post on any type of social media and forums. While you’re reading this, see that share bar on the left side and below the heading of this post? That’s where Super Socializer comes in handle.

In order to make it easier for your readers to share your post if they love it, they can be able to share it using this tool so they wouldn’t need to scroll right down to that share button. You can also place the share buttons on the blog post or after.

For me, I don’t need to add a share button after the post since Jetpack already has the sharing buttons after the post. You can also use the tool to edit the comment section (connecting it with Facebook commenting etc) and how your readers can follow you.  Definitely a recommendation in order to make your post be shared and connect with your audience in an efficient way.

UpdraftPlus – Backup/Restore

UpdraftPlus lets you back up to any drive or restore your blog in case your blog was deleted or hacked etc. When I was transferring my free WordPress blog to a self-hosting WordPress.org, I was happily supplied with a WordPress plugin that can backup my whole blog and transfers it to another site. Sadly, the transfer wasn’t successful as I had some images missing.

Anyways, I think everyone should have this plugin for protection. I mean, wouldn’t you be super upset if your blog ended up crashing, losing links, errors or getting hacked and you can’t retrieve the hard work or backup? (I would because this blog means everything to me and also the investment cost was quite a lot actually).

Well, definitely get this and its free (or pay for additional protection ha) so you can just have the file on you and back up to your last backup point.

WP-Optimize

WP-Optimize cleans up and removes any old database so your blog can load faster.
A fellow person out there (you know who you are and thank you) emailed me about this plugin that helps load my site faster with important facts about it. I was like, “really? Sure thing!” and yes, it was legit (no virus or anything).

Once I installed it, it definitely improved the way my site loads. I guess all those old database junk can build up and decrease your traffic and SEO ranking so yes, absolutely get this plugin. I found it helpful to, at the very least, optimize it once or twice a month. Who wouldn’t want to visit a site that takes forever to load?
Now, this plugin is also connected to UpdraftPlus so you MUST backup before you proceed the process of having your cache deleted. And yes, it deletes EVERYTHING (not your blog, post, images of course) but it deletes like unapproved comments, spams, database and more.

Yoast SEO

Lastly on the list, and I think everyone knows about this plugin, Yoast SEO. This plugin helps you improve your search SEO for Google rankings and modify how readers view your site. This plugin is all around a “MUST GET IT NOW” because girl/boy, if you want to improve your traffic for search engines and SEO, then at least have this plugin on you.

Now, I use this plugin to edit in my keywords (to improve the search ranking of course) and also the preview images on social media. You can use this tool when you scroll down (right down) below your blog post, you can see the section where you can edit how it will look in search engines.

If you’re new to SEO, I recommend reading my post Clever Tools To Make Your Blog Blossom. I’ve suggested free blogging tools in order for you to help you find keywords, rankings, competition keywords etc.

That’s the end of the plugins I recommend.
I personally use these plugins often so I wouldn’t be recommending plugins that don’t help my blog in any way.

Most of you might already have these plugins but if you’re a beginner bloggers, then this is a definite recommendation.

If you enjoyed the post, leave a comment or share to help other bloggers out (and me!)

~ Ellen

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Author: zyrakuma

Hey, hi, hello there,

I’m Ellen Tran, an 18-year-old Australian/Vietnamese lifestyle blogger at ZyraKuma. I blog about lifestyle, self-wellbeing, productivity and relationships. I hope to inspire you guys and help those in need to become their better selves as well as combine art and blogging together (my two favourite things).

I’m currently a student, learning about art and design. Hopefully achieving to become an Illustrator because I love drawing.