Starting a WordPress site… what plugins do I really need

Request
1

I’m building my first WordPress site and trying to figure out which plugins are actually worth using.

Here’s what I’ve seen recommended a lot:

  • SEO: Yoast SEO
  • Analytics: MonsterInsights
  • Caching: WP Rocket
  • Security: Wordfence
  • Backup: UpdraftPlus

I’m thinking about skipping Jetpack since these cover most of my needs.

Am I missing anything? Is this too much? Are there better options? Also, what’s the best plugin for sharing blog posts on social media?

2

Here’s what I use:

  1. SEO: The SEO Framework – lightweight and doesn’t slow things down like Yoast.
  2. Caching: LiteSpeed Cache (if using LiteSpeed Server), otherwise WP Fastest Cache or WP Rocket.
  3. Analytics: GAinWP for Google Analytics.
  4. Backup: UpdraftPlus.
  5. Security: I prefer securing the site manually with .htaccess rules, two-factor authentication, and strong passwords. My host also has a firewall.
  6. Social Sharing: I use IFTTT for auto-sharing posts and Scriptless Social Sharing for share buttons.
  7. Spam Protection: Antispam Bee.
  8. Custom CSS: Simple CSS.
3

@Ira
This is a solid list… I’ll check these out!

4

@Ira
Which SEO plugin do you think is easier for beginners—Yoast or SEO Framework?

5

Ira said:
@Ira
Which SEO plugin do you think is easier for beginners—Yoast or SEO Framework?

I prefer SEO Framework, but Yoast is probably easier when starting out. I just don’t like how Yoast clutters the dashboard and constantly tries to upsell things. Plus, it makes people focus too much on SEO instead of just writing content.

6

@Ira
How hard is it to learn SEO Framework for someone new to WordPress?

7

Ira said:
@Ira
How hard is it to learn SEO Framework for someone new to WordPress?

We designed it to be as simple as possible, but if you ever need help, feel free to reach out.

That said, no plugin can magically fix SEO—your content and site setup matter the most.

8

Ira said:
@Ira
How hard is it to learn SEO Framework for someone new to WordPress?

There’s no real learning curve. The main difference is that SEO Framework’s focus keyword feature is premium, but they have great documentation to guide you.

9

[deleted]

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Ira said:
[deleted]

Interesting how many people recommend SEO Framework over Yoast. Everywhere I look, Yoast is the one that gets all the attention.

11

Ira said:

Ira said:
[deleted]

Interesting how many people recommend SEO Framework over Yoast. Everywhere I look, Yoast is the one that gets all the attention.

[deleted]

12

@Ira
We try to offer a lot in the free version, but yeah, TSF is a commercial project—we just don’t flood users with ads or upsells.

Honestly, we appreciate anyone who spreads the word about it!

13

Mal said:
@Ira
We try to offer a lot in the free version, but yeah, TSF is a commercial project—we just don’t flood users with ads or upsells.

Honestly, we appreciate anyone who spreads the word about it!

You’re way too humble. Nothing wrong with thinking about business too.

14

@Jem
I’m just part of the marketing team, but both of us care more about users than sales. Hopefully, that brings in revenue naturally.

Whenever this forum mentions us, I try to jump in and reply. Maybe that’s what makes us stand out… and of course, the security, support, and no ads. :joy: Thanks for spreading the word!

15

@Ira
Have you tried Rank Math SEO? What do you think of it?

16

What do you all think of Rank Math SEO?

17

Bit late to this, but here’s what I look for before installing a plugin:

  • Check reviews.
  • See if it has a lot of active users.
  • Make sure it’s updated regularly.

Here’s my usual list:

  1. Backup: BlogVault (cloud backups and easy site management).
  2. Security: MalCare (good firewall and malware scanning).
  3. SEO: Switched to Rank Math—easier to use.
  4. Caching: WP Rocket (best for overall speed) + Imagify for images.
  5. Activity Log: WP Security Audit Log (tracks what’s happening on your site).
  6. Forms: WPForms & OptinMonster for email capture.
18

@Jamie
Appreciate the list! Quick question—have you ever installed a plugin and it messed up your site? If so, does removing it usually fix the issue?

19

Ira said:
@Jamie
Appreciate the list! Quick question—have you ever installed a plugin and it messed up your site? If so, does removing it usually fix the issue?

Yeah, that’s happened. It’s usually because of compatibility issues. That’s why keeping everything updated is important. I always test new plugins on a staging site first.

20

@Jamie
Good to know. How do you set up a staging site to test plugins?