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If you already started a blog, it is most likely that you have encountered tons of plugins. You might also be scratching your head right now, confused about which ones you should and shouldn’t have.

Starting a new blog can be overwhelming. But thanks to plugins, they can make it really easy.

If you haven’t started a blog yet, sign up for Siteground for their affordable plan.

Plugins are precoded software that helps you make changes and customize your website.

There are a LOT of plugins available for WordPress and it is important to note not to go crazy and start installing everything that you run into. Because it can slow down your blog and cause some glitches.

Always install and activate only the plugins that you really need.

Below are some of the plugins that you need when you are just starting your blog. These plugins will take care of all the basics while you focus on creating quality content.

As you start building your blog, you’ll notice that at some point you are asked to add a code in the header or the footer.

As a beginner blogger, this can get really complicated. But by using Insert Header and Footer plugin, adding code is a breeze.

Akismet Anti-spam

One of your priorities, when you start a new blog, is to protect it from spam even while you sleep. This plugin will do the work for you.

Wordfence Security

In order to further protect your blog from malware and virus, you need this plugin. Wordfence Security is an anti-virus, firewall and malware scanner.

Google Analytics for WordPress by MonsterInsights

You need this plugin to keep track of the behavior of your visitors. It will show you what your top posts are, top traffic sources and demographics.

This will help you determine what is working and what’s not.

This is a plugin you must have when you start monetizing your blog through affiliate links. It will not only make your affiliate links pretty but it also takes care of the “no follow” for you. In that way, you will not be penalized by Google.

Social Media Follow Buttons Bar

You need this plugin to be able to gain followers from different social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and etc.

This plugin will make it easier for your readers to follow you.

Grow By Mediavine (formerly Social Pug)

Once you start your blog, you need to share it with the world. You also need to make it easy for your readers to share your content.

If you need a plugin that will do both, it helps you gain followers and helps you share your high-quality content.

W3 Total Cache

You need this plugin to maintain your cache. It is one of the fastest cache systems.

FREE FILLABLE Monthly Budget Template

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    Powered By ConvertKit

    It helps increase your website speed and page performance in a number of ways. including reduced download times, browser caching, and more.

    WP Smush

    This plugin is necessary to reduce image file size in that way it won’t slow down your site.

    WP-Optimize

    You need this plug in to clean your database easily and safely.

    Yoast SEO

    This plugin is one who should do without. Yoast SEO plugin helps optimize your blog for search engines.

    It guides you through a step by step process on how to make your blog Google likable.

    UpdraftPlus

    Although most web hosting plan offers free backup, it is always recommended to have your own manual back up.

    However, it can get really complicated when you start managing it on your own so I would recommend using UpdraftPlus.

    UpdraftPlus simplifies and automates this process for you. It has both a free and paid plans, but you should be able to get everything you need with the free plan.

    The backups that are created through Updraftplus will need to be saved through one of the following methods;

    Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, UpdraftVault, Rackspace Cloud, FTP, DreamObjects, Openstack Swift, or email.

    I personally use Google Drive and some bloggers swear by Dropbox.

    How to Install a Plugin

    There are two ways to install a plugin. You can either use the search in the plugin are or you can upload them directly.

    In order to search for a plugin, click on Plugins in your WordPress dashboard. Then on the search area, type in the plugin that you wanted to install.

    You will then install and activate the plugin. That’s it!

    If you want to upload a plugin, you will have to go directly to the website of the plugin you wanted then download it as a zipped file.

    Then go back to the WordPress plugin area and click the “Upload Plugin” button. An area will display that allows you to choose the zipped file from your computer to upload.

    Whenever you search for a plugin, always make sure that it is compatible with your version of WordPress and always to just install the ones you need.

    Start your blog with Siteground.

    Have you installed any plugins yet?

    [kofi]