This article will share some plugins, some code adjustments and some tweaks that will make your website more user-friendly, easier on your web server, and possibly increase your traffic.

It should be said that this list is not all encompassing; it doesn’t list every plugin that I use. Rather, it’s a list of some of the more popular amendments to WordPress that should be done immediately following an install.

1. Fight Spam With Akismet
2. Change Your Title Tags
3. Insert META Tags
4. Outsource Your RSS Feeds
5. Create A Contact Form
6. Create An Archive Page
7. Up Your Feeds
8. Modify the .htaccess File
9. Make Your Blog Printer Friendly
10. Install iG:Syntax Hiliter Plugin
11. Join Technorati
12. Update Services

Link to full text: WordPress - From Install to Pimped Out.