What plugins do you commonly install on a fresh WordPress install?

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1. These are my common plugins that I always install on all my blogs:

   • Akismet – Fighting with spam. I use only this plugin and it does the job very well
   • Auto Post Thumbnail – I’m lazy with setting the featured image. This plugin will auto take the 1st image in post content and set it as the featured image.
   • Contact Form 7 – Very powerful and easy to customize contact plugin.
   • SEO Smart Links – Do some cool SEO things for links and images
   • Smart Archives Reloaded – It’s designed for archive page, but we can also use it for sitemap page
   • Yoast SEO Plugin – I used AIO SEO Plugin before, but I decided to switch to Yoast’s plugin as it has good feature of recommendation while editing posts.
   • W3 Total Cache – it’s the best cache plugin for me, it does some jobs in optimization, also
   • Widget Logic – Instead of hard code into theme files, I use this for controlling my widgets
   • WP-Optimize – Do some optimizations such as: delete spams, post revisions, optimize tables
   • WP-PostViews – For simple stats like popular posts. It’s lightweight, works with cache, and has nice widget
   • WPtouch – I found this’s the best plugin for mobile

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2. • Add From Server – allows you to upload files using FTP and then add them to galleries in wordpress
   • BackupWordpress – I have had problems with backing up certain parts of the site, but still use this as it’s the simplest. Getting better over time.
   • Exclude Pages from Navigation – no explanation needed.
   • Invisible Defender – this is a great anti-spam plugin, unfortunately it is discontinued but still works (perhaps someone wants to take the baton on this one?)
   • WP Google Fonts – mandatory
   • WP Maintenance Mode – could never get the countdown clock working though 🙁

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3. • Germanix URL – Creates proper permalinks and filenames.*
   • Google (XML) Sitemaps – Well … what the name says.
   • Relevanssi – Enhances the internal search engine.
   • Subscribe To “Double-Opt-In” Comments – has a speaking name too.
   • Magic Widgets – Enables widgets in wp_header and wp_footer.*
   • WordPress Database Backup – Daily backup.
   • Prevent Title Widows – Adds a no break space between the last two words of the title.*
   • WordPress Shortcodes – Shortcodes for tables etc.*
   • Last Edits Dashboard Widget – Table of last activities.*
   • Disable Wptexturize – De facto a performance boost. :)*

   * Written by me.

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4. • Block Bad Behavior
   • Google XML Sitemaps
   • Contact Form 7 (used to use Dagon Design Form Mailer).

   edit:forgot Google XML Sitemaps

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5. • A privately developed XML Sitemap and image XML Sitemap plugin
   • Regenerate Thumbnails
   • A somewhat modified version of Simple Local Avatars
   • WP Smush.it

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6. If dealing with clients that have a support contract for updates and care I always use these plugins on a fresh install:

   • WordPress File Monitor Plus – Written by me, monitors your WP install for file changes
   • Update Notifier – I’m in the process of writing a better version, but send email alerts when WP core, themes and plugins have available updates.

   EDIT: I’ve finished making a better Update Notifier

   • WP Updates Notifier

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