The WordPress SEO Plugins I Actually Use: A Real-World Guide

By Peter Brittain on November 7, 2024 in SEO Tools

After a decade of optimizing WordPress sites, I’ve tested virtually every SEO plugin available.

But when it comes to my own projects and client sites, I stick to a carefully curated stack of plugins that deliver real results without bloating the site or creating conflicts.

Here’s my personal toolkit, along with detailed insights on why I chose each one and how I use them to maximize SEO performance.

$Rank Math WordPress SEO Plugins$ Rank Math SEO: My Primary SEO Framework

When people ask me which SEO plugin I recommend, Rank Math is consistently my go-to choice.

I switched from Yoast to Rank Math about four years ago, and I haven’t looked back since. Here’s why it’s become my foundation for WordPress SEO:

Why I Chose Rank Math

Modular Design: Unlike other plugins that force you to load features you’ll never use, I love how Rank Math lets me enable only the modules I need. On most sites, I activate just 4-5 core modules, keeping things lean and efficient.
Schema Implementation: The structured data options are simply outstanding. I regularly use their Article, FAQ, and Product schema markup with zero coding required. The ability to nest schema types has been particularly valuable for my eCommerce clients.
Built-in Features: I used to need separate plugins for redirects and 404 monitoring, but Rank Math handles these tasks beautifully. This consolidation has helped me reduce plugin conflicts and improve site speed.

How I Configure Rank Math

Here’s my exact setup process:

Initial Configuration
- I always start with their setup wizard but customize the settings based on site needs
- I enable XML sitemap generation but typically customize the settings to exclude specific post types
- For most sites, I activate their Google Search Console integration for deeper insights
Content Optimization Settings
- I set the content length minimum to 1500 words for posts
- I customize the title and meta description length limits
- I always enable their LSI keyword suggestions feature
Advanced Settings I Use
- Link counting for internal link optimization
- Auto-linking for key terms (with careful rules)
- 404 monitoring with email notifications
- Breadcrumb navigation support

Pro Features I Find Essential

While the free version is powerful, I invest in Pro for specific features:

Advanced Schema Builder
Content AI suggestions
Multiple keyword optimization
Google News sitemap support
Local SEO features

Get the → Rank Math WordPress Plugin

Rank Math SEO: How I Use It to Get Real Results

By Peter Brittain on May 7, 2024 in SEO Tools

I use Rank Math exclusively now as our SEO plugin for both ours and our clients websites. Here’s how I use it to get real SEO ranking results.

After working with hundreds of WordPress sites over the past 15 years, I’ve learned what really matters when it comes to SEO plugins. Let me share my hands-on experience with Rank Math and how I use it to achieve significant results for my clients.

Why I Made the Switch to Rank Math

I’ll be honest – I was hesitant to switch from Yoast at first. Having used it for years, I was comfortable with its familiar interface. But after testing Rank Math on a few smaller client sites, I noticed immediate improvements in both usability and results.

One of my first test cases was Principal Pools + Landscapes in Perth. They needed better visibility in local searches and more organic traffic. After implementing Rank Math with my optimised settings, their organic traffic increased by 409%.

Even more importantly, they now rank on the first page for 75% of their target keywords.

Getting Started: My Simple Setup Process

The beauty of Rank Math lies in its straightforward installation process. Here’s exactly how I set it up for my clients:

First Steps:
- Back up the website (I always do this before any major changes)
- If you’re using another SEO plugin, export your settings first
- Install Rank Math from the WordPress plugin directory
- Click ‘Activate’ – it’s that simple
Initial Configuration:
- Run through the setup wizard – it takes about 10 minutes
- Choose ‘Advanced Mode’ to access all features
- Add your business information
- Connect Google Search Console (I’ll explain why this is crucial later)

My Real-World Experience with Google Site Kit: Honest Insights & Lessons Learned

By Peter Brittain on January 22, 2024 in SEO Tools

I still remember the day I messed up my first Site Kit installation. It was a Tuesday morning in 2019, and I was sitting at my desk, feeling pretty confident about this new Google plugin everyone was talking about.

Three cups of coffee and several hours of frustration later, I realized I’d forgotten to connect Search Console first. These days, I laugh about it with new clients when I’m setting up their analytics.

Learning the Hard Way

Last month, Tom from One Shade called me in a panic. “Pete, this data can’t be right,” he said, his voice filled with concern. “We’re getting way more calls than this shows.” After a quick look, I spotted the issue – we hadn’t set up phone click tracking. It’s funny how often the simple things trip us up, even after years of experience.

That’s actually what I love about Site Kit – it helps prevent these rookie mistakes I used to make. Though I have to admit, Google’s constant updates still drive me nuts sometimes. Just when I think I’ve got everything figured out, they change something. Last month’s Analytics 4 migration had me reaching for the extra strong coffee.

A Game-Changing Project

My perspective on Site Kit completely changed during a project with Seasons Bali late last year. I was sitting in my home office, trying to figure out how to explain complex analytics to a client who needed simple, clear insights. Their previous analytics setup looked like a mathematical puzzle – multiple tools, conflicting data, and a team that was understandably confused.

“I just want to know if our website is actually working,” Rachael, their director, told me during our first video call. She looked tired of dealing with complicated dashboards and contradicting numbers. That conversation stuck with me because it perfectly summed up what most clients really need – clarity, not complexity.