The following plugins are 3 of my essential and all-time favorite plugins for any Search Engine Optimized Worpdress website I build. Some of the following plugins do have paid ‘pro’ licenses, but the pro versions are not required for the functionality needed.
1. Insert headers or footers
Why you need it:
In order to properly add your tracking codes (like google analytics) to your site to track your SEO, it must be inserted into the <head> tag on every page of your website. This plugin accomplishes that with the extremely minimal code. I love plugins that aren’t trying to be everything for everyone, but rather have a specific, limited purpose.
Why it’s risen to the top:
This is the lightest most well supported, free script insertion plugin I’ve come across.
2. All in one SEO Pack
Why you need it:
Search engines use the meta data & meta description of a post or page along with the content length, internal / external links, rich data and subheading structure to determine search relevancy. This plugin assists and guides you on all those fronts.
Why it’s risen to the top:
There are a number of competing SEO plugins, and this may come down to personal preference, but I do like this one the best for it’s ease in bulk editing meta titles & descriptions, it’s readability analysis score and the specific post/page recommendations.
3. Google XML Sitemaps
Why you need it:
Be sure to turn of the sitemaps features in the All In One SEO Pack plugin. This plugin generates monthly sitemaps that you submit to google search console.
Why it’s risen to the top:
Google responds really well to the formatting and frequency of the sitemaps generated by this plugin. It’s free, and it words great.
Are you in need of a Search Engine Optimized website?
I can review and assess your current website or I can generate a brand new WordPress site for you. Drop me a line to get started.