Addons
One of the things that sets this game apart from other MMOs is that Blizzard actively encourages players to use third party programs with their games. In short, Mods and addons help you legally manipulate the game to your advantage. They can either change the interface so you only have to deal with important information, or help automate and simplify some of the more difficult tasks you’ll encounter.
To install an addon first download it to your computer. From there you must extract it to your Addons file which can usually be found in /c:program files/World of Warcraft/interface/Addons. From here you will have to log into the game and at the character select screen look for the small Addons button in the lower left side. Click on it to open up the addons menu and put a checkmark on the mod you wish to activate.
CT Raid
http://www.ctmod.net/
This is absolutely mandatory for anyone that wants to raid. It gives you information on all of your raid members including their current HP and any debuffs they may have. It also has several other uses like mail managment and coordinate system for your map.
Quartz
http://www-en.curse-gaming.com/downloads/details/7960/
This is a great mod for helping create a shot rotation. It's primary function is to display your auto shots recast timer so you know when to use your shots. As an added bonus it shows the cooldowns and durations of your abilities and buffs.
King of the Jungle
http://www-en.curse-gaming.com/downloads/details/5730/
This makes pet maintenance a breeze. It lets you automatically feed your pet so you no longer have to mess around with your bags.

Nudge
http://www.wowinterface.com/downloads/info6406-Nudge.html
This is a simple mod that helps you know when you are in range of your target. A display window will change colors when you come into and leave the range of fire of a target. Very useful in raids.
Zhunter
http://wow-en.curse-gaming.com/downloads/details/7900/
Somewhat similar to Quartz, but with some different features. There is a cast bar for your auto shot as well. But some other UI enhancements for things like traps and aspects.
KLHThreatMeter
http://wow.curse-gaming.com/en/files/details/4204/klhthreatmeter/
This is a very useful mod that displays the threat level for every member of a raid. If you see you are gaining to much threat from healing or other activities you will know when to use Feign Death. The only problem with this is that it only works with people who also have it. So unless all of your raid uses it, it won’t be effective.
Theorycraft
http://wow.curse-gaming.com/en/files/details/5360/theorycraft-2/
This mod changes your tool tips to display how much damage or healing your abilities will do. It takes into account all of your modifiers like + AP as well as things like +crit to show the average amount of damage or healing you will do.
Macros
Macros are small user created programs that let you condense several actions into one button. A macro is basically a list of instructions for you computer to complete one after another so you don’t have to click several buttons with your mouse or change your targets. Macros typically follow the following format.
/command [target or option] action1; [target or option] action2; ect.

You can have as many separate actions as you want, but the text field will only hold a set amount of characters so there are limits. You must also be very careful that everything in your macro is spelled correctly or in the right format. The computer can only work if you give it specific instructions and can’t read your mind if you have made a mistake. The command section will usually be either /cast which casts a single spell. /castsequence which will cast a sequence of spells each time you click the button. Or /use which will use an item or special ability from a piece of equipment. Target and option will direct the macro to the person that will be receiving the effect. Option helps narrow down the list of people so you can specify when and on who the macro is used. [combat] will only execute the macro when you are in combat. [harm] will execute when the target is an enemy. The Target part of this section tells the macro specifically which person or enemy to target. [target=player] will target yourself while [target=mouseover] will target the person that your mouse curser is hovering over. (It must be hovering over their portrait in the party window, not their actual character.) The final part of the macro is the actual action. Type in the name of the ability, spell or item you want to use and it will execute it. If you are using several abilities you need to separate them with a quotation symbol without the quotation marks. If you are trying to separate specific actions from each other you would use “ “ but that is more complicated.
To create a macro type /macro in your chat bar to bring up the macro menu then select “ new“. Next pick the icon that you will click whenever you want to use it and give it a descriptive name. The rest of the creation process requires you to fill in the text box with commands. Here are a few helpful ones for you to copy down.
Quick Disengage
This attempts to use Disengage if you pull aggro from your pet and automatically uses your pets growl attack. The number in the PetAction part is the number your pets growl attack is in.
/cast disengage(Rank 1)
/castpet CastPetAction (1)
Quick pet attack
This is a simple macro that casts Hunter's mark on a target and then has your pet attack right away. Great for grinding.
/cast Hunter's Mark
/petattack

Beast Master ultra attack
This is a useful move for those with Bestial Wrath and Intimidation. It is especially useful in PVP.
/cast Bestial Wrath
/stopcasting
/cast Intimidation
Simple Misdirection
This will help you use Misdirection in a raid or group without targeting the tank every time.
#showtooltip Misdirection
/cast [target=focus,help] misdirection;
[help] Misdirection;
[target=pet, exists] Misdirection
Bread and butter shot rotation
This is a macro for a very simple shot rotation. While it is not the best at damage dealing it will help your learn how to rotate.
#shottooltip Steady Shot
/assist [help, combat]
/stopmacro [help]
/castsequence reset=target/3 Steady Shot, Auto Shot
One button stings
This allows you to have all three of your stings bound to just one button instead of three. Clicking it will activate Serpent Sting. Hitting Ctrl before clicking will cast Viper Sting. And hitting Alt before clicking will cast Scorpid Sting.
/Cast [nomodifier] Serpent Sting()
/cast [modifier:ctrl] Viper Sting()
/cast [modifier:alt] Scorpid Sting()