Plugins, Widgets & Permalinks
What are Plugins and Why Do You Want Them?
Think of plugins like options on your car (but free). They aren't necessary but they can make blogging much easier and more fun.
A plugin then, is a small program that, when downloaded to WordPress, increases the functionality of the software. Or to put it in Geek Speak, they add extensibility to WordPress.
This is the current list of WordPress plugins that will be installed with every site setup. These have selected because they are the most valuable for a new blog. There are many plugins, but it is best to only install the ones you will really need and not every plugin that comes along. Too many plugins can slow down your site and distract from the content, which is the point of the blog.
Plug-ins
- Akismet-Checks your Comments against the Akismet web service to see if the comments look like spam. You can review the spam it catches under “Comments”.
- All in One-SEO Pack-SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Necessary to get your blog picked up by the major search engines.
- Google XML Sitemaps-This plugin will generate a sitemap.org compatible sitemap of your WordPress blog.
- What Would Seth Godin Do?-Displays a custom message to new visitors and a different one to return visitors.
- WordPress Database Backup-On-Demand backup of your WordPress database. A must have to protect your data.
- Photo Dropper-Lets you add Creative commons licensed Photos to Your Posts from Flickr. By activating this plugin you agree to be fully responsible for adhering to Creative Commons licenses for all photos you post to your blog.
- Google Analyticator -Adds the necessary JavaScript code to enable Google Analytics. After enabling this plugin visit the settings page and enter your Google Analytics' UID and enable logging.
- Random Posts widget -Display Random Posts Widget. Based on Random categories with random posts.
- Yet Another Related Posts Plugin -Returns a list of related entries based on a unique algorithm for display on your blog and RSS feeds. A templating feature allows customization of the display.
- WordPress Mobile-Makes your blog work well on mobile phones! Lets you post to your blog from your mobile! Helps make you money with Google AdSense for Mobile and AdMob.
- Best Posts Summary-Create summary posts with the Best of Month, Week, or Day content. It is based on number of comments or popularity (visits).
- Adsense Deluxe-Place Google AdSense ads in your WordPress posts. You may not get rich but every little bit helps!
What are Widgets and Why Do You Want Them?
A Widget is a program that performs some simple function or gives specific information, such a calendar or stock quote and can be accessed from the sidebar of your blog. They are useful because they can provide your blog readers with vital information that you want them to have. The Blog Builder Guy Recent Posts is an example of a widget.
Below is a list of Widgets that can be installed on your blog. Pick and choose which ones you want and I’ll install them in your sidebar or l can choose the ones that I think will best suit your purpose.
Widgets
- Archives-A monthly archive of your blog’s posts
- Calendar-A calendar of your blog’s posts
- Categories-A list or dropdown of categories
- Google Analytics Stats-Displays Stat Info From Google Analytics
- Links-Your list of favorite websites.
- Pages-Your blog’s WordPress Pages
- Recent Comments-The most recent comments
- Recent Posts-The most recent posts on your blog
- RSS-Entries from any RSS or Atom feed
- Search-A search form for your blog
- Tag Cloud-Your most used tags in cloud format
- Text-Arbitrary text or HTML
What is a Permalink?
A Permalink is a link to a specific blog post as opposed to the blog itself.
Example:
http//:www.theblogbuilderguy.com This is a link to the blog itself.
http://www.theblogbuilderguy.com/blogging-tips/what-is-a-blog/ This is a link to a specific blog post in a specific category. The category being "blogging tips" and the post "what is a blog".
This is important for a couple of reasons. Blogs always put the most current post at the top of the page. If the post you are referring to is an old one it may be way down at the bottom of the page or in the archives. The reader has no idea where to find it and making them search for it is considered bad etiquette. A Permalink will take you right to the post, no searching involved.
Another reason to use Permalinks is so that you can have your keywords in the URL. That makes it easier for Google and the other search engines to find you.
The Blog Builder Guy will make sure this is done correctly!
