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There are many things that *I* believe will help make a good food blog better.
I’m not an expert — I’m just Rachel, just a Southern Girl tap tap tappin’ away on her Mac takin’ pictures of her food and writin’ out her recipes to share with those she loves at home and out there in internetz land.
After speaking about Food Blogging at BlissDom in January, I realized that a few of my favorite things are not all that well known; so today, I’m sharin’ my favorite WordPress Plug-Ins for Food Blogging.
First and Foremost -
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures
Think about your favorite cookbook – is it black text on white paper? Or is it glossy and filled with beautiful photographs that leap off the page and cause you to drool?
For me – pictures tell the story.
Therefore, I think every recipe should be accompanied by beautiful pictures however, a lot of photographs can bog your blog down so one of my favorite plug-ins EVAH is my Flickr plug-in that allows me to pull my Flickr pics and insert them directly into my blog posts all with the click of a pretty little button on my dashboard.
Next -
Easy to Read and Follow
Recipes need to be well formatted and easy to read and follow. When the ingredients are jumbled and the directions are an ongoing paragraph — the recipe is hard to read and can be more confusing than necessary.
That’s why I ADORE LOVE the hrecipe plug-in. All you have to do is enter the information in the provided spaces and the plug-in formats everything for you. Your readers will love you for it
LOVE> LOVE> LOVE <3
Next and this one is near and dear to my little heart
Copyright Protection
I’ve had blog posts and recipes plagiarized and it is an ugly horrible feeling. There are only so many things that you can do and I highly urge you to do every single thing that you can to protect yourself and your work. I highly recommend
Share-ability
If your recipes and blog posts aren’t easy to share – you’re losing out on potential readers. You need to make it easy for your readers to share your posts – they WANT to share the posts and recipes that they love
. Reward them by making it easy!
- Tweet Meme Rocks
- Facebook Share – A Must
- Sexy Bookmarks is an all in one if you prefer it that way
Last but in NO WAY Least
Printability
Y’all.
Y’ALL
{insert serious eyes}
If your recipes aren’t printable – you are doing your readers and yourself a serious disservice
- If you aren’t on WordPress or you aren’t in any way comfortable with html — Print Friendly is for you. It’s crazy easy, it gives your readers the choice of highlighting – selecting – deleting what they do or don’t want to print
- If you have some savvy with html (I have about zero and I can do this) or you have someone who can set it up for you, I can’t tell y’all enough just how much I love my WP Print This plug-in. A couple of easy little tags added to my posts and I can choose which part is printable and which isn’t – easy peas-y lemon squeeze-y.
Okay y’all, there you have them. A few of my MUST have Plug-Ins for Food Bloggers.
Have I left any out? Do you have one that you just L-O-V-E? Please share it!
I know this isn’t my typical Mouthwatering Monday but, I hope y’all don’t mind the lack of a recipe this week
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Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen - You are awesome! Very helpful. I’ve been blogging for a year now and about 2 weeks ago finally found the print plugin. It was so darn easy, I felt dumb for taking so long to do it. I didn’t know about the recipe plugin, flickr plugin or the copyright, so thanks a ton for sharing your knowledge.
Michelle @ On and Off My Plate - Thanks for the tips! I am new at this so this is super helpful! Also wanted to say thanks for hosting Mouthwatering Mondays!
Best,
Michelle
Michelle @ On and Off My Plate´s most recent brilliance ..Pumpkin Nutella Pound Cake
Karly - Awesome list, Rachel!
Do you think the flickr plugin helps your blog load faster or do you just prefer it because it’s simple to use?
Karly´s most recent brilliance ..Anything-But-Boring Butterscotch Brownies – Guest Post
Krystyn - You know I’m no food blogger…but I do love seeing people’s lists of favorite plugins!
Thanks, Rachel.
Krystyn´s most recent brilliance ..Mommy and Me Monday- Sister shot 55th
JeNae - Great tips. I’m slowly working at this blogging thing & you’ve given me some things to think about. Thanks for sharing!
Micha @ Cookin' Mimi - I am on the free wordpress so I can’t use plug-ins but I am {literally} in the middle of adding the print friendly button to all my posts. I wish I had done this a lot sooner.
Micha @ Cookin’ Mimi´s most recent brilliance ..Menu Plan for the week of 3-7-11
sabriena - Nice, thank you for the print plugin for wordpress. I’ve been seriously slacking on my food blog but am getting back into it and wanted to update it more with plugins that I have found.
I totally agree about the pictures too.
April@The 21st Century Housewife - Thank you for another really wonderful, helpful post, Rachel, and thank you for hosting Mouthwatering Mondays!
Mrs. Jen B - This is SO helpful – I’ve been on WordPress for less than two weeks now and I know I have so far to go, but every time I think of something I need to update, I get distracted or forget about it. Your post is not only the reminder I need but the instructions I need as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Greenderella - Thank you so much for hosting! Many greetings from Germany
Greenderella´s most recent brilliance ..Swedish Potato Salad
Melissa K - Thanks for the help! I just added the print friendly feature to my blog
Melissa K´s most recent brilliance ..Caramel Filled Molten Chocolate Cakes
Country Fried Steak - [...] Want to connect with other Home Ec readers? Check out the new forums.This recipe has been shared on Mouthwatering Monday. /**/{ 8 comments… read them below or add one } Linda March 4, 2011 at 7:44 pmi was cool [...]
Qweenie - I share your Sour Cream Apple Pie recipe with people ALL. THE. TIME. I’ve shared a link to your blog at least 3 or 4 times every fall since you first posted that recipe, and everyone I’ve sent RAVES about it and your blog…. Love ya girl!!
Qweenie´s most recent brilliance ..Of Thieves and Liars
kathleen of the lushers - thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! this will make my life soooo much easier. people are always asking for printable recipes & i had no idea there was an easy way to do it.
thanks for sharing
kathleen of the lushers´s most recent brilliance ..what we’re drinking- terrapin
Meghan’s Reuben Dip - [...] linking up with Robyn at Add a Pinch for Mingle Monday and with Rachel at A Southern Fairytale for Mouthwatering Monday! Cancel [...]
Liz@HoosierHomemade - Awesome tips! I had a printer friendly plugin, but wanted to make my recipes in a shaded area. I just had that installed last weekend, and LOVE it.
Thanks for sharing Rachel!
~Liz
Liz@HoosierHomemade´s most recent brilliance ..King Cake Cupcakes and Mardi Gras Food
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles - Great post, Rachel! Some of this is on my to-do list, so I’ll look into your suggestions.
Brenda @ a farmgirl’s dabbles´s most recent brilliance ..Meghan’s Reuben Dip
Mardi Gras Cupcakes with FREE Printables | Hoosier Homemade - [...] linking to…Weekend Wrap up Party, Saturday Night Special, Made by you Monday, Mouthwatering Mondays Share and [...]
Homemade Beignets | The Misadventures of Mrs. B - [...] with A Southern Fairytale & Skip To My Lou. Check it – there are so many creative peeps out there! Blog this! [...]
Homemade Beignets | The Misadventures of Mrs. B - [...] with A Southern Fairytale & Skip To My Lou. Check it – there are so many creative peeps out there! Blog this! [...]
Krissa - Rachel, this is GREAT to have my hands on! I am currently casting about looking a little bit, for someone to redo my blog design and when I ever get it done I am definitely going to incorporate some of these gizmos!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Krissa´s most recent brilliance ..Enter Godzilla
Create With Joy - Dear Rachel
Thanks for sharing this fabulous list – as well as hosting! I added your resource list to today’s post as Create With Joy!
Ramona
http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com
Heather - Great post. I’m not a food blogger, but this was still helpful. Thanks, Sister. Have a great day!
Andrea (Andreas Kitchen) - Great post! I get frustrated by the lack of a print function on so many blogs! It is a pain to have to copy a recipe onto a word doc just so you can print it!
This week I am sharing my recipe for Mashed Garnet Yams With Bacon And Chipotle. This recipe also has toasted pecans in it. It’s yummy!
Thanks for hosting!
Andrea (Andreas Kitchen)´s most recent brilliance ..Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
Liberty - Oh, this is so helpful. THANK YOU!! Stumbling through [ In another window} the printer friendly thing-y right now. You ROCK, KS! But that’s not new info to you, right?!
*Blessings*
Liberty´s most recent brilliance ..Ferrari FF- Lamborghini Aventador- Sold Out Until 2012
Audrey @ Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats - WOW! Great tips and so excited to have found your site! I definitely need to add the print feature….great idea!
Lori @ Laurel of Leaves - Thanks for all the great tips!! I’m definitely going to implement a good handful of those on my blog!
alex@amoderatelife - Rachel! What a wonderful list of plug ins! I have to make some additions to my blog to use some of these because I am so free form and I think these will help! There really is so much on wordpress to help bloggers do well. I am linking up a great way to make chicken tender and juicy! flip it! All the best, Alex
alex@amoderatelife´s most recent brilliance ..Thoughts on Friday in the Middle of the Road-3-4-11
GF Chiles Rellenos | Live Once, Juicy - [...] here. And here. And [...]
Maria - Thanks for sharing your favorite plugins! I am going to check them out!
Angi - I had planned to share our pot roast recipe this week but had an emergency run into town that night so I put it off until next week. Hence, why I’m sharing a basic lasagna recipe.
I don’t mind no recipe because the plug-in suggestions are great. I already had a few of them but am really interested in the recipe layout plug-in. Off to check that out now.
Thanks for hosting.
Angi´s most recent brilliance ..Lasagna
Guilt-Free (Oven) Fried Chicken | Talking Dollars and Cents - [...] sharing my recipe at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table, Tasty Tuesdays, Mouthwatering Mondays, It’s a Blog Party’s Delicious Dishes, Tuesday Night Supper Club, Dr Laura’s Tasty Tuesday, [...]
Rose's nSpaghetti Sauce and Meatballs | Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms - [...] Plate Thursday Homemaker Monday Catch a Glimpse Party Fun With Food Friday Simple Lives Thursday Mouthwatering Mondays It’s a Hodgepodge Friday Your Recipe, My Kitchen Potluck Sunday @ Mommy’s Kitchen [...]
Jane Doiron - Great blogging tips! I use the WP PRINT THIS SECTION Plug-in. It’s great!
Thanks for hosting! I added my family’s favorite Spaghetti and Meatballs.
I have a new Linky (Melt in Your Mouth Monday) if you’d like to add a recipe:
http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/melt-in-your-mouth-monday-3/
Jane Doiron´s most recent brilliance ..Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Jacky - Thanks for all the GREAT tips!
Jacky´s most recent brilliance ..The Impressionable Years
Dr. Laura's Tasty Tuesday - Amish Cook's Cherry Coffeecake | Dr. Laura's Adventures @ WhoIsLaura.com - [...] Mouthwatering Monday Tackling Bittman and His Buddies Hearth and Soul Tempt My Tummy Tuesday Tuesdays at the Table Delicious Dishes Tasty Tuesday @ 33 Shades of Green Tasty Tuesday @ Beauty and Bedlam Tuesday Night Supper Club Full Plate Thursday Foodie Friday Friday Potluck Cooking & Recipes, Dr. Laura's Tasty Tuesday Dr. Laura's Tasty Tuesday Minimalist Monday Mission: Declutter 365 – Filing Cabinet – Part 1 » [...]
Muffin Monday – Beer Muffins | Talking Dollars and Cents - [...] sharing my recipe at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table, Tasty Tuesdays, Mouthwatering Mondays, It’s a Blog Party’s Delicious Dishes, Tuesday Night Supper Club, Dr Laura’s Tasty Tuesday, [...]
FCL - thanks for the info, i am new to blogging and need as much help as possible and your infor has definatly given me something to think about
doniree - I have been wondering if there’s a PRINT option like that! THANK YOU for sharing that. I’ve started sharing more recipes, and just knew there had to be something that existed like that, and I’m excited to install this (and the others!).
Jay - great recipes, always make a tasty meal
Allison @ Alli 'n Son - Great list! I recently add a print-friend plugin {I can’t remember which one at the moment} and I’m so happy that I did. I really need to add a copy write plugin though.
Allison @ Alli ‘n Son´s most recent brilliance ..The Best Birthday Party on Earth
Irish Beef Hand Pies for St' Patty's Day - [...] Potluck, Fresh Clean & Pure Friday, Friday Firsts, Boost my Blog Friday, Fight Back Friday, Mouthwatering Monday, Homemaker Monday, Made by You Monday, My Meatless Monday, Monday Mania, & Star Recipes [...]
Rachel - Hi darlin’
. I do think it helps my blog load faster 
the pics are hosted on flickr 
Rachel´s most recent brilliance ..Everything Is Bigger in Texas
Rainbow Cake - [...] Mouthwatering Monday, Homemaker Monday, Made by You Monday, , Monday Mania, & Star Recipes Collection. [...]
Homemade granola…easy, addictive, affordable! | Creative Kitchen - [...] Friday Firsts, Boost my Blog Friday, Fight Back Friday, Food Trip Friday, Family Friendly Friday, Mouthwatering Monday, Homemaker Monday, Made by You Monday, My Meatless Monday, Monday Mania, Saturday Swap [...]
GF Chiles Rellenos | Live Once, Juicy - [...] here. And here. And here. And here. And here. And here. And here. And here. And here. And here. And here. And [...]
Savory Stuffed Acorn Squash | Create With Joy - [...] Your Mouth MondayRecipes I Can’t Wait To TryThis Week’s CravingsWhat’s For DinnerWordPress Plug-Ins For Foodies Categories: Recipes After Post [...]
Key Lime Coconut Cake - [...] the second half of the frosting on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Homemaker Monday Mouth Watering Monday Menu Inspiration Monday Made By You Monday http://verygoodrecipes.com/cake Now it’s your [...]
Rameex - You know, it just seems to me that the term ART (if it even still exists) rlusets in one big feisty competition on this site. It just seems to be the case that the most people who copy and paste the same message over and over again to some stranger who has uploaded some new work to get their instant attention and gets the most votes shall then progress onto the Top 128 list. Now in my view (not sure about others) that to my mind is not sharing your creativity; no instead your putting propaganda in front rather than peoples TRUE, PROPER appreciation of the piece you have submitted for the competition. And when you give them the option to vote for you, I feel they have no choice but to say yeah okay, I will do. They would’nt want to let you down would they? What a disgrace, this really does shit on what art should really be about! And when you don’t win that ferocious dog eat dog competition, your not even on a list that are congratulating those who put in all their effort, determination and constant emailing to people to muster those every little helps’ votes! It’s not art, it’s pure politics.I also found that I lost the patience to even give messages to people in the end, it got quite boring to be honest. Yeah its alright a short while, but then you have other things to think about in your life. Why not cut the days to 10, that way you’ve got less time trying to fight and barge past other peoples entries, because I can tell you, 15 days is a lot to get to a 128 or below mark, besides you take into consideration those days that you don’t have time to send messages to people saying can you vote for my piece, that would be fantastic, oh here’s my link: .As for the selection of work, yes they are really fantastic and so full of detail, but it’s the same all the time, is there any extravagant perhaps alternative’ pieces that don’t recieve much regard? It makes the masterpieces seem as they tower or mock the ones that have a little voice in this art community. Can we please stamp out the mediocre, super/photo realistic, bourgeois,conventional, academic art that seems to have plagued this site. If that’s the case, then I best not try and upload anything that goes under Computer art’, because I know that it won’t stand a chance against a magnificent painting that’s full of incy wincy detail that already has the most views or the most outstanding comments and that’s going to win either way, so really why do I bother. It makes me and other fellow true, forward thinking, out of the box artists on this site look crap and insignificant! Please, its 2011, not the Great Masters period! It really is frustrating. I may or I may not do the next Showdown, I will see how I feel.Patrick.
Clara - Thanks for sharing your favorite plugins! I am going to check them out!