I’m working on setting up a WordPress blog and still figuring things out before going live. I’ve been looking into the types of plugins that successful bloggers rely on to stay competitive. What plugins would you recommend as must-haves for a WordPress blog?
Redis object cache is a good option for speeding up your site, but it’s not the same as plugins like WP Rocket or LiteSpeed Cache. Redis focuses on database caching, while WP Rocket and LiteSpeed handle a broader range of optimizations like file compression and lazy loading.
@Hale
Interesting! My host uses LiteSpeed servers and recommended their LiteSpeed Cache plugin. Would it make sense to use both Redis and LiteSpeed Cache together? Also, do you think plugins like ShortPixel or Perfmatters would be helpful for additional speed optimization?
@Rafe
If you’re on LiteSpeed, their cache plugin is enough for most cases. Redis can be useful if your host supports it, but it’s not always necessary. ShortPixel is great for image optimization, and Perfmatters can help with smaller tweaks like disabling unused scripts. Just avoid overlapping features between plugins.
@Hale
Thanks for the advice. My current hosting plan doesn’t include object caching unless I upgrade. Would using a plugin like Redis make up for that?
After years with WordPress, I’d say there aren’t universal must-have plugins. Instead, focus on these categories:
- Backup
- Security
- Speed optimization
- SEO
You might find some inspiration in this basic WordPress toolbox we use daily.
@Briar
For SEO, I’ve been looking into SEOPress and Rank Math. Do you have a favorite between the two?
Rafe said:
@Briar
For SEO, I’ve been looking into SEOPress and Rank Math. Do you have a favorite between the two?
I use SEOPress and switched from Yoast. I even bought their lifetime deal, so I haven’t tried Rank Math myself.
@Briar
Would you say the free version of SEOPress is enough, or is it worth upgrading to the premium?
Rafe said:
@Briar
Would you say the free version of SEOPress is enough, or is it worth upgrading to the premium?
The free version is a great start. If you like it and need more features, the premium upgrade is worth considering. You can check their pricing and features here and here.
Rank Math is excellent for SEO, and WP Rocket is solid for caching. But honestly, staying ahead in blogging is more about good content, marketing, and a clean theme than relying on plugins.
Keir said:
Rank Math is excellent for SEO, and WP Rocket is solid for caching. But honestly, staying ahead in blogging is more about good content, marketing, and a clean theme than relying on plugins.
I’ve been leaning towards SEOPress for SEO. How does it compare to Rank Math?
Keir said:
Rank Math is excellent for SEO, and WP Rocket is solid for caching. But honestly, staying ahead in blogging is more about good content, marketing, and a clean theme than relying on plugins.
Are there any other tools or plugins you’d recommend to make blogging on WordPress easier?
@Rafe
It’s really about content and marketing. I’ve been blogging for four years, and those are the two most important things. If your site looks good and loads fast, you’re on the right track.
Dorian said:
@Rafe
It’s really about content and marketing. I’ve been blogging for four years, and those are the two most important things. If your site looks good and loads fast, you’re on the right track.
What plugins do you use on your site? Just curious.
@Rafe
I use Google Site Kit, Classic Editor, and Series by Justin Tadlock. My site is pretty lightweight because I focus on short stories. Too many plugins can slow things down.
Dorian said:
@Rafe
I use Google Site Kit, Classic Editor, and Series by Justin Tadlock. My site is pretty lightweight because I focus on short stories. Too many plugins can slow things down.
Doesn’t Google Site Kit just replicate what you can see in Google Analytics?
@Rafe
Sort of, but it integrates some of that data into your WordPress dashboard, which can be handy. It’s also useful for managing ads.
Dorian said:
@Rafe
Sort of, but it integrates some of that data into your WordPress dashboard, which can be handy. It’s also useful for managing ads.
Do you think I need a form plugin for my blog?
@Rafe
Do you actually need forms? Think about what you want them to do first. Plugins should solve specific problems, not just add features for the sake of it.