I thought of sharing my plugins I’m currently using on Serradinho.com. I know many of us use a lot of WordPress plugins and we actually shouldn’t. The more plugins we use the more load we are putting on our database and servers.
I will be looking at reducing the number of plugins I currently use, this is a process on it’s own and takes patience and time.
Example of reducing plugins used
Reduce WordPress plugins
A great way of selecting which plugins to install and which ones do not need to be installed via using some code is very important.
You can reduce the server and the database load by just making a few changes here and there.
An example of this is the Twittley plugin. Yes, they have a plugin that you could install and then you just configure your settings. I had this plugin installed and then removed it. I removed it as they also supply the javascript coding. The code can be implemented very easily into your theme, you can get the code from their Twittley button page.
Some plugins do not really need to be installed, but others have to. It depends on your sites goals and you need to know where to draw the line.
Serradinho plugins being used
Currently, Serradinho is using 18 plugins and I’m still trying to reduce that number. I do know that I probably don’t have the all best plugins installed, but these are the ones that I require at this stage.
- AdRotate – Make making money easy with AdRotate. Add advanced banners to your website using the simplest interface available!
- Akismet – Checks your comments against the Akismet web service to see if they look like spam or not. You need a WordPress.com API key to use it. You can review the spam it catches under “Comments.” To show off your Akismet stats just put in your template.
- CommentLuv – Plugin to show a link to the last post from the commentators blog by parsing the feed at their given URL when they leave a comment. Rewards your readers and encourage more comments.
- Dynamic Content Gallery – Creates a dynamic content gallery anywhere within your WordPress theme using SmoothGallery.
- Enhanced WP-ContactForm – WP Contact Form is a drop in form for users to contact you. In the message it sends to you it gives the page the user visited before the contact page, as well as the original outside referrer. It can be implemented on a page or a post.
- Google XML Sitemaps – This plugin will generate a sitemaps.org compatible sitemap of your WordPress blog which is supported by Ask.com, Google, MSN Search and YAHOO.
- MaxBlogPress Ping Optimizer – Saves your WordPress blog from getting tagged as ping spammer by installing this plugin.
- MoFuse – If you need a MoFuse account, visit www.mofuse.com and create a free account and you can have a mobile version of your WordPress blog up and running in just seconds.
- No Self Pings – Keeps WordPress from sending pings to your own site.
- Shadowbox JS – A javascript media viewer similar to Lightbox and Thickbox. Supports all types of media, not just images.
- Subscribe To Comments – Allows readers to receive notifications of new comments that are posted to an entry.
- SyntaxHighlighter Evolved – Easily post syntax-highlighted code to your site without having to modify the code at all.
- Thesis OpenHook – This plugin allows you to insert arbitrary content into the many hooks that the Thesis Theme Framework provides. Never again edit a file! Based on K2 Hook Up and GPLed.
- WordPress Download Monitor – Manage downloads on your site, view and show hits, and output in posts. If you are upgrading Download Monitor it is a good idea to back-up your database just in case.
- WP-DBManager – Manages your WordPress database. Allows you to optimize database, repair database, backup database, restore database, delete backup database , drop/empty tables and run selected queries. Supports automatic scheduling of backing up and optimizing of database.
- WP eStore – Simple Shopping Cart Plugin to sell digital (ebook, mp3, photos) and non digital products from your WordPress blog through PayPal. The digital goods are automatically delivered to the buyer after purchase using encrypted download links.
- WP Super Cache – Very fast caching plugin for WordPress.
- Yet Another Related Posts Plugin – Returns a list of related entries based on a unique algorithm for display on your blog and RSS feeds. A template feature allows customization of the display.
Questions
I have a few questions that I would like you to ask yourself and maybe leave a comment below with your answers.
They are all easy to answer, so go ahead and let me know. I’m curious to know what others are doing in this regard. Do they suffer loading time with having fancy features or do they go for simplicity?
- How many plugins do you currently have installed?
- What are your favorite plugins?
- Do you think you could remove some of those unwanted plugins?
- Is there coding that could be used for one or more of the plugins installed?
- Do you do a cleanup of plugins every now and then?
- Do you remove entries from the options table when you remove a plugin?
Other Interesting posts that you might want to also look at. I have only listed a few below, so browse some more.
- Questions and Answers simplified using Premium FAQs WordPress Plugin
- Sponsor A WordPress Theme & Promote Your Website
- Code Snippet Tutorial – Display Time Span of WordPress Post
- Automate unique content posting using WP Robot WordPress Plugin
- Premium WordPress Themes by WooThemes
- 5 Great Plugins to Increase Social Media Traffic to Your Blog
- WPThemesReviewed.com domain for SALE
Article by George Serradinho
I am the proud owner of Serradinho.com and have made this my second home. I'm into blogging, downloads, WordPress and the internet in general. I also love meeting and helping others and learning new techniques.
George has written 756 awesome articles.
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- Published Date: 15 July 2009
- Post Time Span: 414 days ago
- Word Count: 913
- Author Post Count: 756
- Categories: Questions, WordPress Plugins, Wordpress
- Comments: 53
- Trackbacks: 0
- Pingbacks: 0
This blog is using the Thesis theme & WordPress blogging platform. Customizations on this blog have been done by myself.
I currently freelance as a part-time web designer whereby I offer a variety of web related services. You could alternatively browse through my portfolio for examples of work completed.
Below are a few of many ebook downloads that I have made available. Alternatively, you can view my download posts to see what else I have to offer.
- eBook - 3 Steps To Newbie Success (40)
- eBook - 30 Ways To Get Free Traffic In 30 Minutes Or Less (61)
- eBook - On The Double Product Creation (32)
- eBook - The Ins & Outs of Affiliate Marketing (39)
- eBook - The Basics Of Search Engine Optimization (46)
- eBook - Are JV Giveaway Events Good For You? (44)
- eBook - Offer Free Phone Support To Your Website Visitors (45)
- eBook - Instant Product & Fast Traffic (80)
- eBook - Email Marketing Magician (84)
- eBook - How To Effectively Manage Your Anger (42)
{ 53 comments }
I’m only using 11 or so now, but now that I see this list of yours, I think that number is going to increase!
The Gooroo @ Finance Advisory Stop´s last blog ..Using Yahoo Answers To Promote Your Blog Or Business
@Gooroo – 11 is not bad, just try and keep it to a minimum level.
I’m using 9 on my latest blog, but still need something to make it possible to contact me. After looking through your list I recommend you to have a look at Broken Link Checker and Smart Youtube
Stefan´s last blog ..How to Make Money With Twitter
@Stefan – thanks for the mention, I will have a look.
i m using 40.. seriously i think i sud try to reduce them
Atul´s last blog ..Software Engineer CV
@Atul – would be nice to know which ones you are using.
I use almost 14 to 15 plugins…I always look to minimize the plugins usage..But these are compulsory to me..
Ur list also looks good…nothing waste there..
TechZoomIn´s last blog ..Fix Scrolling Follow me Twitter Badge on Sidebar..!
@TechZoomIn – that sounds like a excellent number.
I’m using 12 plugins, and trying to reduce them. Am find interest in some of the plugins above, thanks for sharing.
Jacob Yap´s last blog ..A 5-Star Prison in Austria
@Jacob – you have very little plugins, well done.
hehheh mine is never mine just the lowest I did not know how to install it also new to WP.
gengen´s last blog ..Please Have A Heart To Help
@gengen – we need to start somewhere
Excellent site,Thanks for this great post – I will be sure to check out your blog more often. Just subscribed to your RSS feed….
@Mr Jone – glad to hear, will be hearing from you then.
Great list George.
I’m using contact form 7 .. What about Enhanced wordpress contact form ??
How is it??
Harsh Agrawal´s last blog ..twitVid Capture and Share Videos on Twitter from Mobile Phone
@Harsh – the enhanced contact form is ok. It is working fine and I will continue to use it until Thesis comes out with a contact page. I could of installed some other contact plugins, but I wanted my total plugins to be low and not have to include many files.
Thanks for the prompt reply George. Actually I’m looking for such contact plugin, which can have drop down menu for subject and I can add more boxes with single click.
Harsh Agrawal´s last blog ..twitVid Capture and Share Videos on Twitter from Mobile Phone
@Harsh – I see if I come across one and I’ll let you know
21 right now
I have no plans to minimize it to 10 though.. almost all are compulsory.
Rockstar Sid´s last blog ..Wordpress http://goooogleadsence.biz Virus Code in Theme Files
@Rockstar Sid – I do agree that you sometimes need more, it depends on your goals of your site.
Mine is below 20. Always keep it that way.
shraqs´s last blog ..Windows 7 Launch “Code7 Contest” For Developer
@shraqs – 20 and below sounds like a good number.
I was using close to 25 and I recently went through a clean up. I just checked and I know have 17 plugins. It is hard to pinpoint a favorite but I would not run a blog with out Platinum SEO.
Tycoon Blogger´s last blog ..Promote your blog with a little help from your friends
@Tycoon – thanks for your feedback, nice to know what numbers others have
I just added the ‘No Self Pings’ plugin from your list. Thanks for the heads up. I’ve been getting tired of deleting the pingbacks from my interlinking articles.
Nicholas Z. Cardot´s last blog ..Fire Up Your Passion for Blogging
@Nicholas – glad to hear, I wonder why WordPress does it anyway.
George I think I have something like 41 active plugins right about now, told you Im an addict.
However after reading your last article Im sure I will be increasing that count in a few minutes.
Extreme John´s last blog ..Wordpress Plugin Changes and Requests
@Extreme John – Wow, 41 plugins. That’s amazing considering your site loads quickly. Would like to know what kind of plugins you have installed.
14-15 plugins george….. But seeing ur list – i think I’m gonna increase mine as well..
Juts saw ur interview at tycoon… excellent stuff.. how does it feel getting interviewed
Cheers
Sandeep
Curious Little Person´s last blog ..Starting An Online Business Series: Researching and Finding our Market
@CLP – I haven’t seen my interview yet, thanks for letting me know. 14-15 plugins is great, let me know which ones you decide on installing.
I’m using about 20 Wordpress plugins right now, I do hope they will not slowing down my blog loading speed. Anyway, I’m using 3 same plugins with you which is Akismet, CommetLuv and Google Sitemap.
Regards,
Lee
@Lee – I suggest using Super Cache and then view your source code and see how long it takes to load a page. If you open your site and it opens quickly then your site is ok. Super Cache is a super plugin that could help your site if being viewed by many users at the same time.
Thanks for the plugin recommendation George, I’ve taken a look on the plugin and see how can I do that. Between, do you face slow loading speed while visiting my blog?
Also, thanks for commenting in my blog, I do really appreciate it.
Regards,
Lee
Nice set of Wordpress plugins there again, George. I am particurlarly interested in the WP eStore off of your list. I like that it has the non-digital products option to buy. What is your experiences with this plugin so far? Does it work out very well for you?
Ana´s last blog ..Friends in all life forms
@Ana – I have just recently bought it, it’s a paid plugin. The developer is very understanding and quick to reply to any problems and issues. I have just installed it and will be trying to use it as I have loads of ebooks that I would like to sell. Sorry I can’t help out more.
You have a really good list of plugins. I use almost the ones that you listed. Thanks Greg Ellison
Greg Ellison´s last blog ..Syracuse Nationals on Saturday
@Greg – if you had to choose your favorite, which one would it be?
I have 30 plugins! I have tried and tried, but somehow I keep hitting 30.
Pallab´s last blog ..Skin Any Website With User Styles for Opera and Firefox
@Pallab – do your best and you might get it right. Some plugins can be replaced with just using html code. Have a look, you never know
I`m using 15 plugins…most of which you use…you didnt mention what SEO plugin you use…or you dont use at all?
Compute Live´s last blog ..World of Warcraft Patch 3.2 Release Patch Notes
@Compute Live – With Thesis, it comes with a panel when writing all posts and pages that you fill in so I don’t need another plugin for SEO.
I’m a plugin minimalist !
I’m trying to reduce as much plugins as possible…
S.Pradeep Kumar´s last blog ..The What, Why And Whodunit – August 2009
@Pradeep – I also like to keep my plugins to the minimum, keep it clean and fast
hey i am currently using 10 plugin, but after reading your post i think i have to add some more because before reading this i am afraid if i am increasing the plugin limit it will effect my blog but i realize that all are using average between 12-17,
mostlyBlog´s last blog ..Download TeamViewer
@mostlyBlog – the less plugins you have the better, but I do understand that there are certain plugins a site needs.
Hey George,
How are you?
I have a question for you, in regards to the Wordpress eStore for you. Can you use this plugin to sell non digital objects, or does it just have to be digital? Have you done it yourself before? Sell non digital products through your site? How is your selling experience with digital products through this plugin anyway?
Reason I ask, is that I am looking for a plugin to sell most of my books/electronic possessions, and possibly Artwork in the near future. I am looking for a plugin which can do these things. It would be easier if I was the seller, and not a third party. But of course, if there is no such plugin like this, and third party it is, than am more than willing to go down that route too!
If you happen to know that such plugin exists, I would love to hear about it, and what your experiences are on it too!
Thank you.
Ana´s last blog ..An old sketch taps into delight
@Ana – I have used for digital products, but you can use it for non-digital goodies as well. Go have a look at the plugin itself and see if it meets your requirements.
Thanks for these great plugins to browse! How fun!
Ben of BenandJacq´s last blog ..Negative, Downbeat, Discouraging Verse of the day.
@Ben – WordPress has so many plugins to select from and we have to ensure that we don’t overload our server.
Apart from this i am using few SEO plugins , Revisions Plugin , WP Greet Box and Sexy Boomark Plugin.
Are you using or would you suggest any Security Plugin your suggestions would be of great help ?
Ruchi´s last blog ..Are you using Gmail Web Clips?
@Ruchi – I’m using Login LockDown and Wp-DBManager, but there are so many plugins available like WP Security Scan, Secure Admin, etc
Thanks a lot for letting me know. I will be using Login Lock Down soon.
Ruchi´s last blog ..Remove Text Formatting in Firefox while Copying
i am using 18 trying to minimize the list
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