When choosing a blogging platform, most who choose WordPress.org (self-hosted) do so because of the expansive options.  The platform, by itself, offers much of what Blogger or TypePad, and WordPress.com offers – but the addition of plugins are what makes WordPress function for YOU.  It is YOUR blog, afterall.

Many times I’m asked about “must haves” plugins – so I’ve made a list. These are plugins that I wish they would just integrate with the WordPress installation because I don’t think that you can function without them.

1. Akistmet Spam

You know you’ve made it if the spammers have found your blog.  No one likes spam, and since I hate filling out word verifications when commenting on other blogs, I didn’t want to institute it on my own blog.  Akistmet will catch the spam and place it in an area where you can make sure it really is spam, and then either delete it or return the comment where it should be. (Note:  You will need a WordPress.com account and an API key to make this work)

2. Comment Email Responder

How many times does someone ask you a question in a comment that you think the rest of your readers should know the answer to?  I never assume that commenters will come back to my blog to see if I responded, but posting a reply ON the blog and then remembering to email the commenter back rarely happens.  With comment email responder, I’m able to respond on the blog as a comment, and it will email the commenter directly.

3. FeedBurner Feedsmith

Most all of us want to track how many subscribers that we have, but there’s a distinct difference between a feedburner feed and the feed that comes with your blog (on any platform).  The FeedSmith plugin will convert your WordPress feed into your FeedBurner feed, so that you can keep track of how many subscribers you have.  Additionally, if you ever move your blog, your subscribers will go with you.

4. WordPress Database Manager

If other platforms go down, you lose your posts and there’s not a lot you can do about it.  But if your self-hosted site goes down, there’s not a lot you can do about that either – unless you’ve regularly backed-up your posts.  The database manager plugin will email your database to you hourly, daily, or weekly so that you will always have a copy of your hard work.  You can also save it to your server with this plugin.

5. Google Analytics

Statistics are important with blogging, but figuring out exactly where to place the code is confusing if you’re not well-versed in php code.  The Google Analytics plugin works well because you simply register for a Google Analytics Account, copy and paste your code into the setting screen of the plugin, and you’re on your way.

What? You don’t want to login to Google to see your stats?  How about installing the WordPress Reports plugin that will display your Google and Feedburner statistics on your dashboard?

There are many more plugins that I use with any blog that I install, but most of those are a matter of preference and fun.

Don’t worry.  I’ll cover those next time.

In the mean time, I’m off to search for a plugin that will take care of cleaning the house and doing the laundry.

What are your favorite WordPress plugins?  Head over to the Blissfully Domestic social network and share with us!

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.