The main difference between a self-hosted blog and a free blogging service such as WordPress.org, Blogger, or TypePad is that the free types run off software that is already placed on a server. You can only work with what they install on their servers.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, but what happens when you want to do something different with your blog, or make it work in a different manner?
Uploading and activating plugins on your WordPress.com blog is how you do just that.
But how do you upload plugins?
While it may sound complicated, it's not that hard – but it just got even easier.
Typically, for those of us with self-hosted blogs, we have to go through a series of steps:
- download the plugin from the internet
- unzip the plugin
- then we use an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program such as Filezilla to move files from our hard drive to our server.
That's just one too many steps, don't you think?
Actually, it's about two too many steps.
I'm going to introduce you to a plugin that will be your last FTP'd file to your WordPress blog.
The Single Click Plugin Updater WordPress Plugin is exactly what it says it is. Once you install and activate this plugin, uploading not only plugins, but themes as well, is a breeze.
The Single Click Plugin Updater has two different options – you can upload an unzipped file from your hard drive, or you can copy and paste the link of the plugin that you desire. The plugin will upload, unzip, and even activate the plugin that you're looking for.
You can use this plugin with themes as well, and the plugin is so smart that it knows the difference between a plugin and theme, and it will install it in the right folder for you.
Let's face it… the back end of blogging takes time. It's not fun unless you're a geek like me who enjoys tinkering with the code and how the blog works. This plugin will make your life a tad easier so that you can get back to what's important… the content and Twitter. 
Are you a plugin junkie? What plugins do you wish they would create? Head over to the Blissfully Domestic social network and share with us!
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Heather Jacobson is a self-taught web geek, mother, and blogger, and embraces the very meaning each title. You can find her online blogging about her quest for sanity at Desperately Seeking Sanity and all things WordPress at Desperately Seeking WordPress.
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