If you run a mom blog, then hopefully you’ve already chosen to install WordPress. If you’re just getting started, then WordPress will be one of the best choices to start your blogging journey with.
When the time comes to customize your site, you’re going to have a ton of options. Beyond choosing a theme, there are literally thousands of plugins to choose from. Plugins will help you create additional features on your site and can even improve its performance.
Whether you’re educating other moms on raising their children, showing them how to stay sane while raising a family, or showing busy moms how to cook on the go, you’ll find some value in the list below.
1. W3 Total Cache
What’s a caching plugin? What this plugin actually does is quite technical, but luckily you don’t have to understand what it does to gain value from it.
Put simply, a caching plugin will speed up the performance of your website. A fast loading website is an absolute necessity, both in the eyes of your readers and Google.
W3 Total Cache is one of the best plugins out there for speeding up your current blog.
2. Yoast SEO
It’s hard to make a recommendation for any SEO plugin that isn’t Yoast SEO. If you’re looking to get more traffic from search engines, then you’ll need to properly optimize your content.
This plugin takes all of the guesswork out of optimizing your site’s content. Just install the plugin, and you’ll find an easy-to-use addition to your post composition screen.
3. SumoMe
SumoMe is an incredibly valuable plugin if you’re looking to grow your email list. This plugin comes equipped with both pop-up and slide-up subscription boxes.
This plugin also features a nifty social sharing bar that encourages users to share your content.
4. Redirection
Redirection allows you to easily create redirects. This plugin comes in handy if you have to change the URL structure of a certain page, or re-arrange your site.
Most redirection plugins make it very difficult to change your URLs. This plugin is dead simple. Whether you need to disguise the URL of an affiliate link, or change the URL of an existing page, this plugin is your best bet.
5. Related Posts
Some WordPress themes come equipped with this feature, but others don’t. This plugin creates a simple carousel of your related posts at the bottom of post.
This will encourage users to stay on your site longer and read more of what you’ve written, which is never a bad thing.
6. Sucuri
Sucuri is a paid plugin, but if you’re serious about ensuring your site remains secure, then this might be a good addition to your plugin arsenal.
When your blog is small, security might not be at the top of your mind, but as you grow and your traffic increases, it’s definitely something worth looking into.
7. Disqus Comments
Comments are an important aspect of building a community around your blog. If you’re looking for a great solution, then check out Disqus.
This plugin encourages participation and makes it easy to moderate comments from your readers.
We hope the plugin list above will help to improve the performance, usability, and traffic across your mom blog.
Did we miss any plugins above? Please share your favorites in the comments below.
Kevin Wood writes about technology and human potential. You can find him at his virtual homes Wooden Writing and Counter Culturist.