Essential Firefox Add-ons for efficient web browsing

Firefox is a wonderfully flexible browser. A strong community of developers have created a huge range of extensions for Firefox that add many practical and enjoyable features to the experience of using the web.

Here is my list of must-have Firefox extensions.

The links open a new window where you can download the add-on.

Essential Firefox Add-ons

Download Management

• Save Complete – Allows you to save a whole webpage for offline viewing.
• PDF Download – Gives you total control over PDF management.
• Download Manager Tweak – Makes the download process in Firefox more convenient.
• Fast Video Download – Inserts a button in the bottom right corner of Firefox that lets you download video from sites like YouTube and many others.

Tabs and Browsing

• Basics – Adds a new tab button to your toolbar.
• New Tab URL – Opens the URL you designate when you create a new tab.
• CoolIris – Click the new button on your Firefox toolbar and enjoy a totally new and cool way to experience the web!
• Google Preview – adds a cool visual preview in the search results page for the website that it points to.
• Session Manager – Saves and recalls the state of all windows and tabs.
• Feedly – A very clean and fast Google feed reader that looks like a magazine. Definitely worth a look!
• Gmail Notifier – Puts a small icon in the bottom of your browser that gives you quick access to your Gmail.

Security and Optimization

• Secure Login – Makes the process of logging in to your WordPress site and any other website quick and easy. Works like the wand in Opera.
• Autofill Forms – Speeds up the process of filling out forms online. Create a profile once and then click the pen to fill out web forms automatically!
• Flash Block – Prevents all those annoying flash ads from showing up. If you want to allow a particular site (like YouTube) it’s easy too.
• Stealther – Surf the web privately without leaving a trace.

Twitter and Social Networking

• Power Twitter – This adds a lot of new much needed features to the Twitter web experience.
• bit.ly Preview – Allows you to see what is beneath those short links. Also lets you create links if you have an account.
• Twitter Search – Adds real-time Twitter search to your list of search engines in Firefox.

WordPress Specific

• Google Gears – The turbo link at the top right in your WordPress admin needs this extension in order to speed up the administration of your website.
• WordPress Helper – Helps you working with WordPress by providing useful help and tools. Also gives you quick access to your WordPress driven websites.

Webmaster Tools

• Firebug – A great tool that will help you find and edit CSS and get more information on your web pages.
  
• YSlow – This will diagnose your web page loading times and give you a report so you can make your sites load faster.
• ColorZilla – A suite of useful color tools.
• WebDeveloper Toolbar – Many essential tools in one place.

A simple integrated FTP add-on.

Fire FTP – A free secure FTP program that works within Firefox. This last one can be a little geeky.