This page is frequently updated to reflect the WordPress plugins I absolutely love and strongly recommend.
In no specific order:
The absolute standard for identifying and reducing SPAM comments. Start with the free version.
My favorite "drag and drop" page builder. Just easier to make landing page or content pages like this one. A close competitor is Elementor.
I'm a WordPress purist and I can't bring myself to use the new "block" system. This plugin reverts the editor back to a standard TinyMCE style HTML editor.
The plugin only works with a paid Adbutler account. In my opinion the most economic professional ad server option with quality WordPress integration.
Allows you to customize what columns you see on the admin backend for posts, pages, etc. Very helpful to reduce clutter and increase load times
Allows you to host your images and media on Amazon S3 (or others) to speed up page load times.
Auto import new videos from YouTube channels or manually add them to create a video gallery on your site. Supports VAST ads and I LOVE it.
The best way to run/host a podcast with WordPress. Pay for the Blubrry hosting and host your audio files with them as well.
Easily insert a table of contents into posts. Increases SEO value and helps the reader experience. Free and awesome!
The most versatile Zapier plugin I've found so far and trust me I've tried many. Fire zaps based on various WordPress activities
Open source set of plugins designed to help you add gamification to WordPress. Awards, badges, achievements, and ranks based on purchases or other activities.
A set of plugins used to build a LOCAL business directory in WordPress. I've been through a few but have been using this one for several years now. The best out there at this point.
I've found the built-in WordPress search feature to be lacking. This plugin gives me much more control over that experience.
The best plugin to enable the option to quickly clone pages or posts or other post types in WordPress. Recently acquired by Yoast.
Sometimes you need to redirect a WordPress page or post to a different page or post. This plugin is simple and lightweight but gets it done.
Been loving this plugin for about a decade. Create "pretty" links that redirect to any other link you want. Great for affiliate stuff or just making shortcuts.
Add an option in the WordPress link settings menu to make the link a no-follow link. Helpful to manage your SEO impact.
This plugin makes troubleshooting so much easier. Just go to the user's page on the backend and log in as any of your users to see what they see.
Stop paying a fortune for 3rd party systems to manage your giveaways and raffles. This plugin brings it all into WordPress and is very affordable.
I used All In One SEO forever but have been transitioning my sites to RankMath. I think it is currently the best tool for SEO optimization.
I've been using Contact Form 7 forever but recently I've been migrating over to Forminator Pro. A much more versatile form builder.
As the name suggests this plugin builds tables. Awesome, easy to edit, responsive, SEO friendly tables. Very impressed.
Expand Builver Builder with a bunch of new and very useful modules. Integration is very good and there are a ton of options.
The simplest way to add code to your site without editing your theme files. I still use child themes but this makes code edits much easier.
If you need to pull in posts from other blogs or RSS feeds and display them together in one place this plugin does it perfectly.
Beaver Builder power for your header and footer. Finally complete control over the layout and look and feel of the header, footer, and menu.
A free version is available from WordPress.org but I prefer the Pro version of this plugin which makes displaying any sort of post type in any way I want really easy.
WooCommerce Plugins:
Over 30% of online stores worldwide are using WooCommerce. Free. Versatile. Widely developed. Awesome.
Tag and organize products by brand. Create a shop by brand page and highlight the vendors you work with and whose products you resell.
Block certain payment methods or shipping options for specific products or product categories.
Track conversion rates from popular online ad platforms like Facebook. Get the Pro version.
A collection of plugins to help you optimize checkout, add order bumps, and build sales funnels post-checkout with OTOs. CRITICAL.
So far my favorite public plugin option to sell events with WooCommerce. A free mobile app exists to help check-in students as well.
Printful is a 3rd party service that dropships custom apparel. Set up your custom shirts etc and then sell them via WooCommerce.
Best tool to track your cost of goods. Decent reporting. Compatible with Metorik.
I use TaxJar for automatic sales tax calculation, reporting, and autofiling. I tried Taxify for a time but it sucked. Happy with TaxJar.
Extremely high-quality plugin for managing memberships on WordPress. Control access, provide discounts, and much more.
The easiest way to sell a subscription or membership. Recurring revenue done easy with WooCommerce. Compatible with WooCommerce Memberships and Metorik.
The best way to setup custom thank you pages for WooCommerce. Integrates well with Funnelkit.
I run a membership site and this plugin makes it easy to build out a custom member's area without bypassing the built in WooCommerce features.
Coupons are much easier to leverage with this plugin. It also makes it easy to give and sell store credit and to mass generate coupons with WooCommerce.