We think WordPress is a wonderful tool but is so much better with some key plugins. Here are our essentials and some favorites, updated for 2012.

Essential

1. Google Analytics for WordPress

Developed by Yoast, this is an essential one for hooking your WP site into Analytics.

2. WordPress SEO by Yoast

I thought that the All in One SEO Pack plugin was the best SEO plugin until I tried Yoast’s WordPress SEO plugin. It actually previews your title and meta description tags and lets you know if you’ve missed an element in your post based on your targeted keyword phrase. It also allows you to import from other plugins, adds sitemap.xml and Google, Yahoo! and Bing site verification functionality! Joost “Yoast” de Valk rules.

3. Login Logo

By default, the WordPress logo is visible in your login page. Use this one to upload your own logo and brand your login page (you’ll need server access).

4. Display Widgets

This will allow you to display widgets on specific pages using a single sidebar. Without it, your widget would display on every page or post using that sidebar. For example, you might want to have a location map on every page EXCEPT the Contact page.

5. WP Database Manager

Your database is your heart – treat it right using this one. Allows you to schedule an automated backup via email, repair, optimize and more. Just get that pesky .htaccess move right to remove the warning message.

6. Duplicate Post

You know, small can be beautiful and this one just saves time! Have multiple posts? Use this to quickly duplicate an existing one that took you an hour to create then off you go.

7. Contact Form 7

A really good contact form creator, which you can use to easily add forms to any page or post.

8. WordPress Table Rename

By default, WordPress creates a specific database structure, which can be a security risk. Use this plugin to easily change that structure without affecting the site.

Useful

9. WP Maintenance Mode

Develop your blog while putting a “Coming Soon” message up to the public. Very useful.

10. CryptX

Email harvesters are the scourge of the Internet. Just add an email address to a post or page and let this one automatically encrypt it so the address can’t be recognized by those harvesters.

11. Kadom 125 Banner Ad Manager

Manage your 125 x 125 pixel banner ads using this and see how many click-throughs each one gets, useful feedback for the advertisers. Set up multiple campaigns and locations!

12. Update Notifier

I find this one useful for sending an automatic email to the client to let them know that there is an update to WordPress. This keeps them on their toes and invested in their blog. It keeps sending emails until it gets updated!

13. Social Profiles Widget

Add your social profiles using this neat sidebar widget. Has some sweet icon options too.

14. Post Expirator

With WordPress, you can schedule a post by putting a future date in but you can’t bring it down. Use this one to do just that.

15. My Calendar

Seems to be the best WP calendar on the market today, has great customer support, and worth a donation. Allows location setup to save time, repeating events, and more!

16. AddToAny

Social sharing is essential these days to why not add this to every post. And don’t forget to make a donation to these fine WordPress plugin developers. Let us know if we can help you with your WordPress website.

17. Shopp for eCommerce

A solid eCommerce plugin with great support and plenty of options.

18. Mobile Edition

WordPress Mobile Edition is a plugin that shows an interface designed for a mobile device when visitors come to your site on a mobile device.

Don’t forget to make a donation to these fine plugin developers. Let us know if we can help you with your WordPress site.