Over the past few years, I have been using Wordpress for small projects and blogs. As projects go by, I see myself giving more and more projects the Wordpress stamp, then adding various plugins or extensions to suit the project’s needs. Even if a site doesn’t have a blog, it’s still a great lightweight tool for making URL-friendly sites that can be easily managed through a crisp admin interface.
When I decide what to build a project on, I run through the usual list of platforms I use, and Wordpress always seem to be the one. It’s so easy to setup, and if there is something that it can’t do out of the box, there is almost most definitely a plugin. And in that rare occasion that no plugin is available, or a plugin isn’t quite as extensible as you need it to be, there’s always room to write your own!
Here are some plugins that I find myself using time and time again:
Cforms - A super customizable form builder generally for making contact forms, but can be used for virtually any form you can think of.
NextGEN Gallery - The ultimate when it comes to photo galleries. I’ve never seen an easier way to upload photos, and with a directory scanner, slideshows, and thickbox all pre-packaged with the plugin, there is almost no configuration needed.
Register Plus - Want your site to be members only? Not a problem Register Plus can take care of this with ease. It includes custom registration page creation that includes CAPTCHA, invitation codes, and user-generated passwords. There is also a user moderation page, so you can moderate who can and cannot become a member.
Of course the list could go on, but these are the top ones that I use on a lot of projects. There always some instances where Wordpress is just completely out of the question, but those cases are becoming more scarce as more plugins are released. So if you haven’t taken a whack at using Wordpress, learn PHP (the right way) and you’ll find that it is a lot more than just your run-of-the-mill blogging engine.
