5 Awesome Free Administration Plugins for WordPress

This is a guest post by Jessy Troy.

I always say that of any blogging platform out there, Wordpress is the simplest. It has many advanced features, but even a complete novice can quickly learn to build their own site. Everything from themes to coding is laid out in the simplest way, many user friendly features made automated or guided, while still being accessible for experienced users.

Plugins are a boon when it comes to enhancing the capabilities of the site with minimum effort. As the administrator, you are relied upon to to the bulk of the work on the site. You can do it all the more quickly and efficiently with these five fantastic addons.

1. Admin Drop Down Menu

I am amazed that after all this time, Wordpress still has not made the dashboard more accessible for other menus. Instead, you have to go through the primary to get to everything else. This plugin works by creating a more usable menu that allows you to go anywhere on the dashboard from any page on your blog. You will be given the dashboard, posts, media, links, pages, comments and other sections right up front.

2. Fluency Admin

(The above screenshot is the Fluency plugin used in combination with Admin Drop Down plugin)

This plugin is basically a way of making existing features on Wordpress more accessible and quick to use. Or, in others words, to make you 'fluent' in the way running of the site. You can create hotkeys for the menu so everything you need is a click away, customize color and themes, create a custom login screen, get hover menus, add your own logo and more. All with more ease than using the dashboard alone. It is also done in light on dark format, which is easier on the eyes.

3. Guest Blogging Plugin

You have probably already heard of MBG, and if you're smart, you are already a member. But for those who don't know, it connects blogs with writers who have guest posts already written that they want published on other sites. Instead of paying for the content, you simply provide a full byline for the writer. The plugin allows you to search and browse posts, read them and make offers to the writers, all from your WP dashboard. You can then publish them from there as well, and alert the writer that it is up. You will get alerts about posts just under your dashboard header. It is a very simple way to use an already fantastic service.

4. Mini Mail Dashboard Widget

One of my favorite plugins of all time, this is a fun one. It allows you to receive and even send emails from your WP dashboard. You get a little notice when you have messages pending, and you can drop down the email box from the main dashboard page. It is compatible with POP3 and IMAP (for receiving), and PHP and SMTP (for sending). You can also attach files and set up a simple address book for contacts. This is great for connecting blog-specific email addresses without having to sign in and out.

5. WP Security Scan

Is your blog completely secure? The answer is 'probably not', especially if you have multiple writers working for it with their own sign ins. This plugin will scan your site and find any vulnerabilities you might have. It will then suggest steps that you can take to seal them, such as passwords, file permissions, database security and other important elements that could be leaving you open to hacks.

Are you an admin of a Wordpress blog? Do you have your own plugins that help you keep up? Let us know which ones you love in the comments, and why!

About the author
Jessy Troy is a tech blogger for TekSocial, the free community geeks who love reviewing apps and gadgets!