Crazy things can happen to any blog at any time. Some make sure to be prepared for these things, and others may not be as prepared.
Crackers, hackers, massive floods of traffic, database errors and many more things are all preventable. With the WordPress community being as large as it is, there have been many great people who have stepped up and created some awesome plugins to help you keep your blog safe from any kind of mishap.
I do my best to ensure that all of my blogs are as best off that they can be. Whether they be as secure as possible, or as easily accessible as possible. On my two blogs, these are the plugins I always have on standby in case something bad were to happen on my blog.
1. Theme Test Drive
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This is a plugin I always have on my blogs that stays deactivated. This plugin is useful because if you ever need to make changes to your theme, whether they be big or small changes, you can easily hide the work you’re doing until you’re done.
The thing that is so great is you can work on editing your design without anyone else seeing it. So if you are designing a new theme for your blog, it’s best that you work on your own blog so you can see what your theme will look like when you activate it.
Theme test drive makes developing on a theme easy and will save your viewers from seeing anything messed up on your blog.
2. Maintenance Mode
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This may just be the most important plugin in the list. When you activate this plugin, it will create a splash page for your blog over your regular blog look. This is extremely useful for when you update WordPress and you may find errors on your blog.
The options that come with this plugin are immense. You can edit how long the plugin can run for, create a message for why your blog is down and give an estimate to when your blog will be back.
This plugin is a must have for any blog, and while you should just keep it activated when you need it — this plugin will save you from losing readers and also save you the embarrassment of having a blog full of ugly looking errors!
Options WP-DBManager come with
3. WP-DBManager
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This is without a doubt the best database manager for WordPress. And that’s not an opinion, it’s a fact! The options this plugin has are so comprehensive, and there are even options that aren’t just for backing up a database.
If you don’t like going into cPanel to get a copy of your database, then let this plugin do the work for you. You can backup your database right in the admin panel, and download it too. Schedule automatically when you want your database to be backed up, and set a time for when your database should be emailed to you.
Also from the admin panel, you have the ability to repair and optimize your database. Those are both important maintenance strategies you should do to your blog. And guess what? You can also schedule how often the plugin should optimize your blog.
There are also more database management options like running SQL queries and dropping database tables. It’s like this plugin replaces phpMyAdmin for you!
4. WP Super Cache
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This is most likely a plugin you have already, but do you know the true benefits of it? Sure, it makes your page load faster without a doubt, but what is the other purpose that you may not know about?
If you are active in Social Media, then you are probably aware of the large amounts of traffic these sites can send to you. Sites like Digg, Delicious, Twitter, etc. are all sites that can send you massive amounts of traffic — traffic that will crash your site.
Quoted from the download page:
This plugin generates static html files from your dynamic WordPress blog. After a html file is generated your webserver will serve that file instead of processing the comparatively heavier and more expensive WordPress PHP scripts.
This plugin will ultimately save your blog if you ever do reach that Digg frontpage, and should be something you activate if you have a high traffic blog.
5. Login LockDown
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This plugin serves as a prevention tool rather than something that will save you after it’s happened.
Basically, if someone tries to break into your admin panel and has the wrong password, this plugin will count how many times they have done that, and if they reach a certain number of failed attempts — they are automatically locked out for however long you set.
It is easily editable from the “Settings” panel of your admin panel. You never know how many people try to break into your admin panel, and with this plugin — you will.
6. WP Security Scan
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This a great plugin I just recently found, and it really opened my eyes to some things I have not been taking care of on my blog.
A basic lowdown of the features and options this plugin has:
- Password Manager
- File Permissions (CHMOD) tool
- Database Security Methods
- WordPress Version Hiding
- WordPress admin protection/security
- Removes WP Generator META tag from core code
I am still figuring out some of the stuff in this plugin, but it really is a great tool for preventing possible attacks on your blog. The thing is, it points out things that we don’t realize can harm our blogs and fixes it for us.
Now Your Blog is Better Off
I have covered ways to secure your blog not just from hackers, but to save your blog from high traffic, hide errors quickly and professionally, and develop behind the scenes.
Always be sure to work out every scenario in your head. Think that everyone is out to get your blog, and make sure there are as little ways as possible for your blog to get messed up.
Good luck, and if you use any plugins I haven’t mentioned, please let me know in the comments!
47 Discussions
Great post, Alex. Lot of useful and valuable information. I have to say that this is my favorite post in your blog so far. Thanks for sharing.
HAVOC MARKETING´s last blog ..Social Media Marketing on 2 Sheets of Paper
Haha, thanks! I think the theme to this post is pretty unique.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Very good list. I only have three of them. I’m off to install the other three!
Dean Saliba´s last blog ..IND Official Sponsor Of Bethnal Green Celtic
Awesome Dean, which ones did you have already?
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Security Scan is a really great plugin. Thanks for sharing some other great ones. I stumbled the list.
Corey Freeman´s last blog ..The Easy Way to Annoy the Hell Out of Readers
Thanks Corey, glad you liked it and thanks for the stumble!
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Great post, Alex. Bloggers should really try to keep their blog secure as much as they can and these plugins should help!
I have a few questions, Mr. Alex.
1. With Theme Test Drive can you still see your site while others see the site as it was before you started working on it?
2. I’m convinced that these are all great plugins, but I’ve also read that too many plugins can hurt your blog. Should I not worry about the latter and install every little plugin that I think might help?
3. How many plugins does Blogussion have? You don’t have to answer this…
Thanks!
Nick Tart | JuniorBiz´s last blog ..Learn How to Spell ‘Entrepreneurship’ Once and For All
Yes, you just upload another theme you want to work on, enable Theme Test Drive and you will see whichever theme you choose while everyone else sees your default theme.
Yes, they can slow down your blog. But I would ALWAYS have Maintenance Mode on your blog, but keep it deactivated until you need it. It will save you time when something goes wrong, and this way you only need to activate it rather than install it and activate. It just saves time IMO and you should definitely have it at all times!
There are 28 active plugins here.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Cool, thanks for answering my questions!
Nick Tart | JuniorBiz´s last blog ..JuniorBiz in Local Newspapers – JJ Entry #22
Thanks. I just installed the Super Cache plugin and now my home page loads almost instantly. I’m mean it loads in 1 second or less now. Thanks so much!
Nicholas Z. Cardot´s last blog ..Fire Up Your Passion for Blogging
No problem Nicolas! It’s really a great plugin.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
By the way, #5 should be “Login LockDown”
Nick Tart | JuniorBiz´s last blog ..Learn How to Spell ‘Entrepreneurship’ Once and For All
Yeah, I have no idea where I got Logic from!
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
I’ve not seen some of these plugins before. Thanks for the share
Simran´s last blog ..12 Best Tutorials To Add Bizzare Effects To Your Face With Photoshop
No problem! Glad to show you something new.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Well amongst the 6 plugins you listed, I use Maintenance Mode, WP Super Cache, and WP Security Scan. All of them have really helped me a lot.
In place of DB manager I use some the plugin called Wp-DB-Backup but I think I will give one try to DB manager also.
Never heard of Logic LockDown and I am surely gonna give it a try and use it on my blog. It looks cool.
And the 1st plugin i.e. Theme test Drive; I don’t found it useful for me right now as I don’t do much changes in my theme. I hardly do 2-3 changes in 3-4 months.
Typhoon´s last blog ..WP-Robot: A powerful automation plugin for Wordpress
WP-DBManager is so much better then WP-DB-Backup. Trust me, I used to use it and DBM is way better.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to tell you that you have an awesome blog and I really like to read your blog posts. So many valuable information and tips!
Cheers,
Alvin Tan
Alvin Tan´s last blog ..Beginner SEO Tips – How To Optimize Your Blog For Search Engine
Glad you like it Alvin! Feel free to subscribe to the RSS.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Now, I’ve come across many blog articles about essential WP plugins, but this one by far is the best and perhaps most unique for the list. I’ll definitely try these out for my blog. Evernoted and Delicioused
Thanks Haste. I think this was a good topic for a plugins list!
Theme Test Drive – that’s what I’ve been looking for. I couldn’t understand that you were not able to modify a new theme before publishing it, so I had to set up a copy of my blog, including database, at another URL to test out CSS etc, it’s a real mess. Hopefully this plugin will make it easier for me – thanks!
Klaus at TechPatio´s last blog ..A Day At The Patio – Attacked By Flying Bugs, I Wonder What Kind?
It really helps me develop themes. Glad you found use for it!
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Alex, this is really helpful. Your content is really good. The plugins you’ve got listed here most of them I need – Maintainance mode is very good. Thanks!
Maintenance mode is probably the most useful one up there!
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Another killer post on Blogussion! I am in serious need of Theme Test Drive. It seems like a lot of other commenter on this blog would love to understand it more. I wonder if a post dedicated to using the plug-in would be of interest?
Great layout for the post and I am a big fan of all 6 of the plug-ins! Stumbled.
Seth W´s last blog ..How to Start a Blog with Killer Articles
Thanks a lot Seth! I appreciate the stumble.
It sounds like a cool idea for a post, but I can’t think too much of how I could dedicate a whole post to it?
Looking forward to chatting with you tomorrow!
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
This is a great post with some really good plugins. I would like to add one if I may wordpress backup by BTE
shaunjudy´s last blog ..Get Some Authority For Your Blog
Can you link me? I doubt it will beat WP-DBManager though!
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Wow, Cool Post.
and yeah, those are really a must have plugins !
Enk.´s last blog ..How to Exclude Specific Categories from Navigation
really thankful to you, here is a question, one of my friend facing some virus in his blog website, when ever he set all things and test, there was no error. but just after 10 to 15 hours there is a Database error, can you suggest any anti-virus for Wordpress bloggers?
Dzinepress´s last blog ..Free Website Design Including PSD, xHTML, CSS & Ajax by ThemeForest
Sorry, I have never heard of anything like that! That’s weird, it happens every 10-15 hours?
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
And most importantly never use any new plugins without first testing them on your backup blog. Otherwise you’re risking messing with the perfection you’ve created so far.
Very valid point! I guess I should start including those kinds of messages in my posts or people might start blaming me for their errors.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Cool, I really need to install these plug-ins. My blog hasn’t been down yet for a period of more than a few hours, but it is good to be prepared.
Jake | Web Journey´s last blog ..Thoughts.com Review
It’s thoughts like that that kill a blog Jake! Always be prepared.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Yea, that’s true. I installed all the plug-ins that you mentioned.
Jake | Web Journey´s last blog ..Create Great Articles When English is Your Second Language
I used DB manager on all my blogs and have used super-cache too, but haven’t really used others. I might give them a try. Can I keep you logged out of your blog by attempting to login 100 times? That doesn’t sound right to me
I use DBManager and Super Cache on my blogs too. They’re probably the best in the list.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Thanks for the suggestions! Maintance Mode and DB Manager are two I use already, but the others look as though they may be worth intalling too.
nadine´s last blog ..Super cuteness.
No problem nadine, thanks for dropping by!
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Some nice plugins you have listed. The DB backup is a must as well as Super Cache, I would not be able to live without them. I will have a look at LockDown, seems to be ok from what you have posted.
George Serradinho´s last blog ..Serious Monthly Roundup – July 2009
Wow- I am totally stumbling and tagging this post in delicious. I did not know about these plugins. Thank you so much for telling us all. Especially the security features plugins. That will save us some serious headaches.
Eren Mckay´s last blog ..Fun kids gingerbread house decorations & gingerbread man costume
I suffered for not activating WP-super cache … blog was featured on digg.com frontpage and was down most of the time …..
dinu´s last blog ..3 More Cool Google Wave Gadgets !
thank you for the plugins , this is really important for securing and maintain wordpress usually
Bader Alrayyes´s last blog ..English skills problem for Non English Bloggers
Great! Installed all of them.
Shubh -Regular Blog Tips´s last blog ..Two SEO guides for Bloggers
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