If you are starting a blog on WordPress, you might be wondering whether you need plugins. The short answer is yes — but only the right ones.
Plugins are like little helpers you can add to your WordPress site. They make blogging easier, faster, and more enjoyable without needing to know any code. Here is a simple guide to the best WordPress plugins that can help you create excellent blog content.
Yoast SEO (or All-in-One SEO)
If you want people to find your blog on Google (and who does not?), you will need some basic SEO help. Yoast SEO and All in One SEO both make it easy to add keywords, write SEO-friendly titles and descriptions, and check how readable your post is. It is like having a small SEO coach sitting beside you.
Why it is helpful:
- Beginner-friendly
- Helps your blog get found
WPForms
If you want to add a contact form, newsletter sign-up, or simple survey, WPForms is a drag-and-drop form builder that lets you create forms without any technical headaches. It allows you to build contact forms, feedback forms, and more with just a few clicks.
Why it is helpful:
- Easy to set up
- Free version works perfectly for beginners
Smush
If you are adding lots of images (which you should — pictures make blogs more engaging), you will want them to load quickly. Smush automatically compresses your image files without affecting how they look. Smaller images mean a faster website and a better experience for your readers.
Why it is helpful:
- Speeds up your blog
- Works automatically once set up
Kadence Blocks (or Spectra)
Kadence Blocks and Spectra offer additional design options that help your posts look more polished. You can easily add buttons, information boxes, styled sections, and more, all without needing to know any coding. It is simply a matter of dragging, dropping, and customising.
Why it is helpful:
- Makes posts look professional
- Easy to use
Pretty Links
If you share affiliate links or long, complicated URLs, Pretty Links allows you to tidy them up. You can create short, branded links that are easier to share and appear more trustworthy.
Example:
Instead of https://reallylongwebsite.com/products/xyz?ref=12345, you could create yourwebsite.com/shop.
Why it is helpful:
- Makes links look cleaner
- Useful for blog posts and email newsletters
Table of Contents Plus
If you are writing longer blog posts, a table of contents can help readers find the information they are most interested in. Table of Contents Plus automatically creates a contents list based on your headings, with no extra work required from you.
Why it is helpful:
- Helps readers navigate your blog
- Provides a small SEO benefit
Broken Link Checker
Broken links can frustrate readers and harm your site’s SEO. Broken Link Checker scans your site and alerts you if any links are no longer working, making it easy for you to fix them quickly and maintain a professional site.
Why it is helpful:
- Saves you time
- Helps keep your blog professional
Final thoughts
You do not need hundreds of plugins to have a successful blog. A few well-chosen plugins will help you get found online, create better content, and keep your site running smoothly. Start simple, install only what you need, and focus on making blogging easier, not harder.