I have been using WordPress for a couple of years solely as a blogging platform but when I decided to revamp my website I made the decision to do the entire site in WordPress. It took me a few weeks to convert the old site to what is published today but it was well worth it. My site is easier to maintain and I don’t want to throw my computer out the window as often.

Here are my favorite plugins so far:

Fast and Secure Contact Form – The contact form lets your visitors send you a quick E-mail message. Blocks all common spammer tactics. Includes a CAPTCHA and Akismet support. Does not require JavaScript. The easiest installation of a form plugin I encountered. Other plugins require you to know HTML. I know HTML but I’m lazy about looking up code when I’m in the zone :)

After The Deadline – For contextual spelling, style, and grammar check for WordPress. Write better and spend less time editing. Honestly sometimes I forget to use this one.

Analytics360 – Allows you to pull Google Analytics and MailChimp data directly into your dashboard, so you can access robust analytics tools without leaving WordPress. Compliments of MailChimp

WordPress Database Backup – On-demand backup of your WordPress database.

Yoast Breadcrumbs – Outputs a fully customizable breadcrumb path.

Bad Behavior – Deny automated spambots access to your PHP-based Web site

DISQUS Comment System – The DISQUS comment system replaces your WordPress comment system with your comments hosted and powered by DISQUS. Very easy to setup and moderate comments.

WPtouch iPhone Theme – A plugin which formats your site with a mobile theme for the Apple iPhone / iPod touch, Google Android and other touch-based smartphones.

MailChimp – The MailChimp plugin allows you to easily setup a Subscribe box for your MailChimp list