Tag Archives: Wordpress Plugins

WordPress Contact Forms Plugin with Gravity Forms

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Gravityforms was a recently released plugin for wordpress that is under the premium license.

It might be different from other plugins because it has a cost involved but it is WORTH EVERY PENNY.  Its so damn good I’m recommending it as an essential purchase and am affiliated with the developers. (Just to be clear).

The forms on your site are one of the most important aspects, and lets be honest this is a no brainer.

So don’t be tight.

There are a few other forms available (if you are to cheap to buy this) and the best is probably CForms II WordPress Plugin though it is quite comprehensive it its functionality it tends to update frequently to cover errors and other issues and, in order to maintain the integrity of the plugin you should update asap every time so it can be a bit of a time sink. Aside from that it is the best alternative.

So why is Gravity Forms so good.

Its so good because it is incredibly simple to manage, setup, install and has a range of functionality and application.

Honestly, its one of those, “Can’t live without it” type plugins.  Even though it costs to buy it the added benefit is that you have dedicated support as well and an active and informed community who are helping the developers find new ways of increasing the functionality of the plugin and of course dealing with tech support issues and questions. Not something to be snubbed! All the new functionality, like most plugins, is then added on to your existing plugin and because the developers are being supported financially the updates are of a very high quality.

Using the plugin requires you to do a little messing about by inserting your personal reference key into the settings, once you install and activate the plugin, to validate the purchase and also create an account on the Gravity Forms community forums but this is, in itself,  is a simple enough process.  Once you create a new form and realise just how much and how easy it is to do you will be hooked.

Have a read through the features that Gravity Forms offers and im sure you will agree that its money well spent. (and thanks for the business if you do decide to buy it, it is most appreciated).

WordPress XML Sitemap Generator plugin

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I love this Google XML Sitemap generator plugin and so does Google.

To clarify (in case you don’t know) a sitemap is a single page on your site that is purposely set up for search engines to read and scan (spider) very quickly and realise what posts and pages you have (content) on your site.  If you have Google webmaster tools (get a gmail or google account and follow the instructions there) there you can submit the sitemap once you create it on the blog.

Activate the plugin and then check the settings.  They look complicated but really they are not, just take your time and read through them.

You will notice at the bottom of the list there is a list of “ratings” called “sitemap content” “frequencies” and “priorities” and its important that you set these to suit your site. They will not force the changes that you make but rather are considered as suggestions.

Author: Arne Brachhold

Download the XML sitempa plugin for wordpress here.

WordPress DisQus Comment System Plugin

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The DisQus system (pronounced “Dis Cus”is one of my favourite plugins, and adding it to WordPress is a breeze.

Just follow the usual steps to upload and activate it. Then, check the options to integrate it into your site. I love Disqus (I use it, but there are other systems that offer similar features like the Intense Debate WordPress Comments System) for a few reasons.

Why Disqus?

Firstly, DisQus has a few styles to choose from in regards how it appears and the functionality it presents under the Customize tab. The three themes are Narcissus, Classic A and Classic B. And although they are not amazingly different in appearance, they offer subtle changes in layout such as moving avatars from the left side to the right, more options control and similar other tweaks.

The Appearance tab allows you to select which options suit you best very quickly. It even allows you to upload a custom avatar for unregistered users, display relative time stamps on comments and other bits and bobs. The system even supports customised CSS in the final tab with some neat support to let you edit the appearance of the system, if you wish.

Of course, moderating options are also available on the system, allowing you to decide who can comment and in what manner. This depends on whether or not they’re registered. If they include a link in the comment, it may also be flagged until you ok it to be displayed, helping to cut out spam. Also included on the moderation section is a blacklist and white list of users, if the highest form of moderation is activated.

The general options on the system allow you to set up the site description, details, and most importantly, you can select the options you want regarding the use of social networks as well. This functionality allows you to integrate FaceBook and Twitter, to name but a few, so that comments are tweeted out by the commenter to their network, offering a nice promotional opportunity for your post and for them.

Neat, tidy and all in a simple and easy to read and understand layout.

But, there’s more.

Once you have the DisQus account setup, you’ll create a public profile page with all your details and information listed from your own blog as well as from any other blog you comment, which uses the DisQus system. This means that you effectively create a new “micro-comment site” on DisQus, all centred around you and your comments.

This lets you go to one single place to see all the comments you’ve made on other sites and return to them to review or monitor further responses (They have to use DisQus as well, of course). The profile itself also allows you to “advertise”, effectively, your main site or blog and your other social profiles as well, adding a nice backlink and of course allowing viewers to find out more about you easily.

Here is my DisQus Profile so you can get an idea of how it works:
Justin Parks on DisQus Comment System

The final part I want to cover is also great if you run more than one blog. Adding Disqus to each blog allows you to apply yourself as a top level moderator or admin to each site. This effectively means you can login to DisQus directly and mange multiple comment systems from one place, a real time saver and super efficient.

Author and Download: DisQus