By Sue Sutcliffe

The iPhone has an app for everything. So does WordPress. Check out these top plugins to make your WordPress website work harder for you. Best of all – they’re free!

1. Google Analytics (Plugin: Google Analyticator)
   This free tool measures the success of your marketing efforts by providing detailed information and statistics on visitors to your site, traffic patterns, etc.
2. Email Forms (Plugin: cformsII or Contact Form 7)
   Email forms have two major advantages. First, they hide your email address, making it harder for spammers to harvest it. Second, they prompt visitors for the information you need, like their contact details and how they heard about you.
3. Comment/Submission Spam Protection (Plugin: Akismet)
   Spammers exploit email forms and blog comments. This tool blocks the majority of spammers, saving you review time.
4. Search Engine Optimization (Plugin: All in One SEO Pack)
   The goal of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is to boost your website higher in search engine results so visitors find you before they find your competitor.
5. Subscription Tool (Plugin: G-Lock Double Opt-in Manager)
   Asking visitors to provide their email address (with a double opt-in check to confirm their interest) lets you to contact them directly, rather than hoping they come back to you. For happy subscribers, indicate the frequency of your mailings, include value and avoid oversaturating them.
6. Social Media Presence (Plugin: Social Profilr)
   Social media icons on your site tell your visitors that you keep up with the times, and that your company is evolving. Include icons for social media platforms that welcome visitor participation.
7. Sharing Buttons (Plugin: AddThis Social Bookmarking Widget)
   Adding sharing buttons on your site encourages your visitors to let their friends know about you, using their favourite social networking tools. It’s the power of word-of-mouth, spread virtually.
8. Intuitive Navigation (Plugin: PixoPoint Menu Plugin)
   This plugin organizes multipage websites using drop-down menus. It helps visitors navigate quickly and effectively.
9. Regular Updates (Plugin: Future Dashboard Widget)
   Posting fresh content on a regular basis drives traffic to your site. This widget informs visitors when and how often they should return for updates.
10. Favicons (Plugin: Favicon Generator)
    Favicons are the small images that “decorate” a URL on a web browser. These distinctive icons, often a tiny company logo, accentuate and personalize your brand on browser tabs and favourites lists.

What’s your favourite WordPress Plugin?