As a blogger, I am often asked for recommendations on the best WordPress plugins, themes and services. People particularly want to know about the plugins and tools that we use to run the 9to5sas website.
As a result, we have decided to create the 9to5sas Blueprint which gives you behind the scenes look at all the tools, plugins, and services that we use at 9to5sas.
Blog Platform
9to5sas is powered by the best Content Management System on the web, WordPress.com.
Hosting Platform
9to5sas is hosted on Sitegroud.
Website Design / Theme
9to5sas uses one of the most popular themes for WordPress, Astra.
Security and Backups
For Security of 9to5sas, we use Cloudflare and Siteground inbuilt daily Backup system.
Performance
SG Optimizer– We use site ground’s built-in Cache plugin which, do page caching and browser caching to improve site speed. Other features include built-in WEPP image compression, Frontend optimization.
Cloudflare CDN – We use a Content Delivery Network, Cloudflare, to speed up our site and reduce server load. It is used to serve static content (images, CSS, javascript).
Monetization
For Monetization, We use mostly Google Adsense. On this website, you can also find links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Our affiliates include the following:
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites.
Styling
WP katex – The KaTeX WordPress plugin enables you to use the mathematical symbols and equations on your website.
Prism Syntax highlighter – Prism is a lightweight, extensible syntax highlighter. We use it to share code snippets in our posts.
Elementor Page Builder – We use the most popular and advanced page builder, Elementor that delivers high-end page designs and advanced capabilities.
Shortcodes Ultimate – Shortcodes Ultimate is a collection of visual and functional elements, which you can use in the post editor. We use Shortcodes Ultimate to easily create tabs, buttons, boxes, sliders and carousels and much more.
Comments
Akismet – We use Akismet to combat comment SPAM. Akismet lets us focus on writing quality content rather than moderating SPAM comments.
wpDiscuz – This plugin changes your website commenting experience and provides you with new user engagement features.
No Self Pings – We use it to stop WordPress from sending pingback notifications when linking to our own posts.
Mails and Newsletter
Mailpoet – We use mailpoet to automate sending emails and newsletter.
Other Tools
SAS on Demand for writing and executing SAS codes.
Drafting Posts- Google Docs and Grammarly.
Analytics and SEO – Google Analytics, Google Data Studio, Microsoft Clarity, Google Search Console, Bing Web Master, Rankmath WordPress Plugin.
Images and Design- Canva and Crello
Other useful tools like Snagit for taking the screenshot, Copy ‘Em (for Mac) clipboard manager.
