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Top 10 WordPress Plugins You Actually Need
The WordPress Plugin Directory is a treasure trove of free and free and free-to-try WordPress plugins. There are plugins ranging from short-spectrum functionality providers to broad-spectrum bug fixers.
If you are reading this then I assume you’ve been to the WordPress Plugin Directory at least once. Staring at the Most Popular section, you may have wondered, “Hey! That’s not very useful. I might never have to use it.”
While the Most Popular section perfectly reflects the most downloaded and talked-about plugins, it certainly does not reflect the most useful ones.
Here’s my choice of WordPress plugins that you actually need.
Top 10 WordPress plugins you actually need
Yup. You can’t avoid downloading this one.
This plugin connects your self-hosted WordPress website or blog with the actual WordPress.com. This means that you can login to WordPress.com and monitor your self-hosted WordPress site. JetPack provides realtime stats, Publicize feature, email subscriptions, social network connection, After The Deadline spell checking AI, mobile theme support and so much more. Thus, Jetpack by WordPress.com earns the first place in our top 10 WordPress plugins that you actually need.
This is one plugin that you can not go without. Click the heading for more information about its features.
When your WordPress website becomes more popular by the day, you can’t expect visitors to come by and check your website everyday. Now, you may be thinking, “Well, then I’ll just update my social network pages to inform them!” While that is a very good alternative, it is worth noting that the visitors are busy catching up with their social lives when they log on to social networks!
The best way to keep them informed is via newsletters and what better plugin for doing that than MailPoet Newsletters. This plugin provides a WYSIWYG editor to create marvellous plugins to leave your visitors dumbstruck (in a good way). The newsletters are automatically produced according to a schedule you set and mailed to your visitors. The newsletters are produced according to a template you set.
Believe me when I tell you this, It is EXTREMELY important that you generate and save regular backups of your WordPress website or blog. You may think that security breaches only happen to other people but wait till it happens to you. After spending countless months working on your website, only to see it hacked and overrun by someone… Gives me the creeps!
Most web-hosts provide automated backups but if you are one of the unfortunate ones to not have the automated backup feature then this plugin is for you!
Make this a rule for yourself, never ever host videos on your own WordPress website (unless you have some epic tier web-hosting). Videos eat up bandwidth and slow down your site. If somebody shares or embeds your videos elsewhere, again it’s your bandwidth at stake. Each time somebody views that video, it is your server that provides the computational power when someone views it.
The best alternative is to upload your video on video hosting sites like YouTube or Dailymotion. Then all you have to do is embed your video on to your website. It’s killing two birds with one stone! You get views on your YouTube and get videos on your WordPress website or blog.
The best way to embed videos on your WordPress site is by using Viper’s Video Quicktags. You can set the size, default quality, auto-play feature as well as the design of the video player. Sweet!
Use this plugin to spice up your posts. Shortcodes Ultimate provides thousands of completely customizable shortcodes. You can add things like buttons, tables, highlights, tabs, Google Maps and so much more!
The plugin adds a neat menu to your post editor. You can use this menu to add whatever you want.
Coming Soon / Maintenance mode Ready!
The Coming Soon / Maintenance mode Ready! plugin is the best solution for your website, while it’s under construction. It adds a unique Coming Soon page that is displayed to visitors while the website is still in its development stage. You can completely customize the Coming Soon page to look like whatever you want. It hides the main website while it still in its ugly developement and/or maintenance stage.
Whether or not your website provides a lot of files to download, this plugin is a must to make it look professional. It provides neat icons for prompting users to download instead of a noobish ‘Click here to download’.
What’s more, it also provides statistics for individual files available for download. There are also various themes available for the download prompts which you can customize as you see fit.
Quick Page/Post Redirect Plugin
This plugin is great for configuring redirects without having to mess around with your htaccess.
Quick Page/Post Redirect Plugin is very simple and easy to use. Just provide the link.
This plugin is extremely useful for advanced users only. Those who like to mess around with the PHP files face the hassle of using the default WordPress editor.
This plugin, when enabled, provides syntax highlighting, line numbers, full-screen editing and what not.
Do you want to keep your posts and content original? Do you want to stop bots and hackers from copying your content for their own use? Do you want to stop people from downloading your images? Then this is the plugin for you!
This plugin disables right-clicks and content highlighting. It even disables keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. ‘Hold to copy’ feature on mobile phones also gets disabled. What’s more, it even stops tech-savvy users from viewing the source code. Copy protection at its finest!
There you have it folks! If you think that there are other plugins that should have been in this list then comment below.
How To Host A Premium WordPress Website For Free
Most people don’t know this but there are actually ways to host a premium WordPress website or blog for free.
First off, what does it mean to host a ‘premium’ WordPress website. Well, for starters, it means you get to utilize the awesome, breathtaking free plugins that are available at the WordPress Plugin Directory. Moreover, you can completely revamp the way your WordPress site looks by using the top-quality free and paid themes at the WordPress Themes Directory.
For advanced users, a premium installation means SEO (Search Engine Optimization), custom CSS, unannounced bug fixes, PHP, automatic and manual updates and what not! You get to have complete control over your WordPress installation.
So, with the word ‘premium’ thoroughly explained, we can move on to the actual steps. To host a premium WordPress website or blog, you need to read on. It is worth mentioning that the following steps are the same if you want to go with a paid installation.
Requirements
- WordPress installation ZIP
- Web Hosting
- Domain Name (Optional)
How to host a premium WordPress website
- First off, go to → WordPress Download and download the latest version of WordPress. (There is a Download WordPress button on the right.)
- Now, you need web hosting on which to install your WordPress. Since we want to do everything for free, we will also use free web hosting. I recommend → 000webhost. Click here to read → How To Install WordPress: 000webhost. (A warning to the wise. Free web hosting tends to be a bit… unstable. Therefore, free web hosting should only be a temporary means of hosting).
- ???
- Profit!
How To Install WordPress: 000webhost
000webhost is a free web hosting service and like all free web hosting services, it has its flaws. If you have used 000webhost before, you’ll know that it does not allow free users to utilize the Fantastico One-Click Installer to install WordPress 😦 . Not to worry though. If they don’t let us use the auto-installer then we don’t need the auto-installer.
We’re going to be using technical terms like FTP and wp-config but don’t worry. Follow my tutorial and feel like an 1337.
Setting up your 000webhost account
- Create an account at → 000webhost Free Web Hosting.
- Create a new website. Name it whatever you want.
- Once the website is created, go to its CPanel and click MySQL (under Software/Services).
- Enter the details and click Create Database.
Editing wp-config
- Download the WordPress Installation ZIP from here → WordPress Download Page and extract it.
- Edit the wp-config file. If you don’t know how to edit the wp-config file, then read → How To Edit wp-config For WordPress Installation.
Setting up FTP using FileZilla
In your account’s CPanel, click View FTP Details. Note down FTP host name, FTP user name and FTP password (FTP password is the same password with which you created the account).
- Download → FileZilla if you don’t already have it. Any FTP client will work.
- Run Filezilla and click File – Site Manager.
- Click New Site.
- For host enter your FTP host name.
- Leave Port blank.
- Protocol should be FTP – File Transfer Protocol.
- Encryption should be Use Plain FTP.
- Change Logon type to Normal.
- User should be your FTP user name.
- Password should be your FTP password.
- Now, click Connect.
Uploading your WordPress installation
Once FileZilla successfully connects to your web hosting you will see some files show up on the right side of the FileZilla.
- Double click public_html folder. This is where your WordPress will be installed.
- Now, open your wordpress folder and highlight everything and drag it into your FileZilla. They will start uploading (will take some time though).
Finishing the installation
Access your website through your web browser to complete the rest of the installation.
Congratulations! Everything is finally done.
Comment any problems and/or queries below and I will reply ASAP.
How To Edit wp-config For WordPress Installation
Editing the wp-config file is perhaps the most vital step in the manual installation of WordPress. This file can make or break your WordPress website so be very careful when editing it.
How to edit wp-config for WordPress installation
- Extract the WordPress Installation ZIP.
- In the wordpress folder, there will be a file named wp-config-sample. Rename it to wp-config.
- Open wp-config using Microsoft Word or right-click and Open With – WordPad.
- I hope you have your MySQL database details because this is where they come in handy.
- Scroll down a bit and enter your MySQL database name in the place of database_name_here.
- Enter your MySQL database username instead of username_here.
- Enter your MySQL database password instead of password_here.
- Enter your MySQL database host instead of localhost.
Now, save and exit. Congratulations! You have successfully edited your wp-config for installing WordPress.
This tutorial is somewhat difficult so if you face any problems then do comment below and I will solve them to the best of my abilities.
Crysis 3: Digital Deluxe Edition Torrent Download
C’mon! Who can resist the mind-blowing graphics and sleek look of Crysis 3. Do you remember how when Crysis came and everyone was like… WOOOAAAH!!!
Crysis 3: Digital Deluxe Edition Includes:
- CRYSIS 2: MAXIMUM EDITION: The sequel, along with all the content ever released for Crysis 2.
- CRYSIS 3: HUNTER EDITION: The full Crysis 3 base game with early access to the new Predator Bow, bow skin, Recon Arrow and Hunter Nanosuit module for use in multiplayer, as well as a bonus XP boost up to Level 5 and three exclusive Hunter-themed dog tags.
- OVERKILL PACK: Unlock the devastating Typhoon assault weapon and rain destruction on other players. Spewing 500 rounds a second, the Typhoon gives players the ability to go guns blazing to take back the Liberty Dome. Also included in this pack are the Typhoon weapon skin and two exclusive Overkill-themed dog tags.
- STALKER PACK: For players who like to stalk their prey from the shadows the Stalker Pack provides early multiplayer access to the deadly semi-auto Jackal shotgun. This powerful, close-range shotgun comes with a unique silencer attachment, custom weapon skin and two exclusive themed in-game dog tags.
- BRAWLER PACK: Get early multiplayer access to the Feline submachine gun and exclusive camo. With an extremely fast rate of fire and a 60 round magazine the Feline is highly effective and deadly, at short range.
- DAY ONE GAUSS RIFLE UNLOCK AND GAUSS RIFLE SKIN: This futuristic weapon uses electromagnetic coils to fire rounds at incredible speed for devastating penetration. Get your hands on it from day one.
- DAY ONE EXPLOSIVE ARROW UNLOCK: These are silent to fire but make a big boom when they hit. Perfect for groups of enemies.SCAR SKIN: Get back to your roots with the basic U.S. Marine corps skin.
- CRYSIS SOUNDTRACK: 30 tracks of music from the games.
What are you waiting for? Download Crysis 3: Digital Deluxe Edition!
Download it for free → Crysis 3: Digital Deluxe Edition @ Kickass Torrents
Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD Torrent Download
This title of Assassin’s Creed was originally released for the PlayStation Vita. Playstation Vita being a complete failure, the title is revived as a high definition port for the PC.
The year is 1765. While the American Revolution rages in Boston and New York, Spanish forces in the South plot to seize control of Louisiana for the Templars.
But they have yet to reckon with Aveline de Grandpré, an assassin of mixed French and African heritage, who stands ready to defend her people. As Aveline, the first playable female Assassin in the Assassin’s Creed saga, you must use your skill, instinct and weaponry – including a machete, poison-dart blowpipe, a whip and duelling pistols – to hunt down and eliminate your enemies.
Change from disguise to disguise, assaulting your opponents directly as an Assassin, charming foes into vicious traps as a lady, or impersonating a slave to incite a riot to elude your pursuers.
Download the neat repack of Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD by BlackBox.
Download this epic game → Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD @ Kickass Torrents
If required, the password is: www(dot)blackboxrepack(dot)com
CONTRAST Torrent Download
We all have, atleast once in our life, have played (rather experienced) a video game that absolutely captures you and refuses to let you go. These kind of games can be either depressing or ecstatic. They affect your complete outlook on life. CONTRAST is one such masterpiece…
CONTRAST is a puzzle/platform game where you can move between a fantastic 3D world and a mysterious shadowy universe in 2D in the blink of an eye. Delve into a dreamlike and surreal 1920s world, inspired by the performance art world of vaudeville and film noir, and cradled by a smooth and sultry jazz ambiance.
Download the neat repack of CONTRAST by BlackBox.
Download it now → CONTRAST @ Kickass Torrents
If required, the password is: www(dot)blackboxrepack(dot)com
Need For Speed Rivals Torrent Download
Hey, kid. Do smell dat scent of burning rubber? Hear da tyres screeching? Feel da rush of adrenaline cuz dat timer be countin’ down? AWWWWW YEEAAah…! Here we go!
Welcome to Redview County, a gritty open road environment where the intensity of the street’s ultimate rivalry between cops and racers never stops.
Watch the stakes grow through a new scoring system that lets racers risk their speed points to shoot for higher multipliers and greater rewards, or bank their speed points safely when they return to a hideout. The more risk you take on, the faster you can progress, but get busted by the cops and they take your speed points as a reward.
Hundreds of thousands of speed points can be at stake at every turn and at every bust – will you go from hero to zero?
Download the neat repack of Need For Speed Rivals by BlackBox.
Download the full game → Need For Speed Rivals @ Kickass Torrents
If required, the password is: www(dot)blackboxrepack(dot)com
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Torrent Download
Woohoo! Time for a new video game!
I’ve always been a big fan of the Metal Gear franchise despite all its ups and downs. The start of the new year brings a new and revamped Metal Gear Rising, casually subtitled ‘Revengeance’ (Ooo fancy…).
The game itself focuses on a hack and slash approach to Metal Gear. Which is, you know, nice. The espionage is completely optional. The game introduces Raiden as the central character; a child soldier transformed into a half-man, half-machine cyborg ninja, equipped with a high-frequency katana blade and a soul fueled by revenge.
Download the neat repacked version of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance by BlackBox.
Download the full torrent at → Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance @ Kickass Torrents
If required, the password is: www(dot)blackboxrepack(dot)com
How To Host A Local Website OR Cloud Storage For Free On Any OS
By local website, I mean a website which is not actually available on the internet. This kind of a website is accessible by those connected to the same network (i.e. WiFi connection, LAN/WLAN network etc.) as the server. The site itself does not have a domain name (like example.com). Instead it is accessed via its IP address (static or not).
Creating a local website is great for testing and learning, especially for students who are learning HTML and/or PHP. Moreover, if you know what you are doing, you can create your own local cloud storage service, which is quite neat. Let’s hit the tutorial!
Requirements
- A virtual machine software. I suggest and use (It’s free!) → Oracle VM VirtualBox.
- NAS4Free ISO (either download NAS4Free-x64-LiveCD or NAS4Free-x86-LiveCD) → NAS4Free Downloads.
- A computer capable of running a virtual machine smoothly.
Install Oracle VM VirtualBox and move on.
Follow the steps on this website → The Secret Server: All Steps
I would list all the steps but I wouldn’t want to steal Instructables’ thunder. The tutorial is a bit tricky so if you have ANY difficulty then comment below and I will reply ASAP.
P.S. This makes a great end semester project for ICT students. My team got 2nd place using this 🙂 !
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