How to Install a WordPress Plugin: Beginner’s Step-by-Step Tutorial

Installing WordPress plugins correctly is essential to ensuring they function properly on your site. In this article, I will guide you through various methods of installing WordPress plugins in a clear, step-by-step process.

By learning to install plugins, you can easily enhance your WordPress site with advanced features and functionality without modifying core website files. Plugins allow you to add contact forms, schedule regular backups, optimize your site, and more.

Let’s dive in and get started!

Prerequisites for Installing a WordPress Plugin

Important Considerations Before Installing a WordPress Plugin
  • Is the plugin actively supported by its developers?
  • Install one plugin at a time to avoid conflicts.
Methods to Install WordPress Plugins
  • Installing WordPress Plugins Manually
  • Installing WordPress Plugins from the Official Plugins Directory
  • Installing WordPress Plugins via an FTP Client
  • Conclusion: Installing WordPress Plugins

Prerequisites for Installing WordPress Plugins

Ensure you’re using WordPress.org, as plugins can only be installed on this self-hosted platform, giving you complete control over your website. In contrast, WordPress.com only allows plugin installations in its business plans. For an in-depth comparison, read the article “WordPress.com vs WordPress.org.”

If you’re on WordPress.com, don’t worry! You can easily migrate your website to WordPress.org. Once you’re on the self-hosted WordPress.org platform, you can install plugins without additional requirements.

Key Considerations When Installing WordPress Plugins

As mentioned earlier, over 54,000 free plugins are available, making it challenging to choose the right one for your site. To help narrow down your options, consider these key pointers when selecting a plugin:

What Do I Need?

Before downloading and activating a plugin, know what you want to achieve. While WordPress does not limit the number of plugins you can install, adding too many can negatively impact your site’s performance over time. Unnecessary plugins can lead to website bloat, slowing it down. Aim to install only the essential plugins to keep your site running smoothly. Take the time to read plugin documentation before installing it to ensure it meets your needs. Even if you decide to try several plugins, always deactivate the previous one before activating another to avoid conflicts and unnecessary load on your site.

Is the Plugin Actively Supported by Developers?

Before installing a plugin, ensure it is actively supported by its developers. This means the developers are continuing to improve and update the plugin. Check the plugin’s last update date to confirm it is regularly maintained. You can also look at the number of installations to gauge its popularity. For added confidence, review ratings and feedback from existing users to assess the plugin’s reliability.

Additionally, verify the plugin’s compatibility with your WordPress version. If you’re unsure, here’s a tutorial on how to check your WordPress version. We always recommend keeping WordPress up to date for optimal security and performance. For guidance on updating WordPress, refer to this tutorial.

Install WordPress Plugins One by One

It’s a good idea to test different plugins before choosing the best one for your site. However, make sure to test them one at a time. This approach helps identify potential issues caused by a specific plugin on your site or blog. Additionally, installing too many plugins can bloat your site, leading to performance issues.

How to Install WordPress Plugins

WordPress plugins are a powerful way to extend your site’s core functionalities quickly. WordPress is one of the most flexible and versatile platforms, offering an easy and seamless plugin installation process. In this guide, I’ll walk you through various methods to install WordPress plugins, including the manual method, installing plugins from the official Plugin Directory, and using an FTP client. Let’s dive in! How to Install WordPress Plugins Using the Manual Method There are two manual methods for installing plugins: searching for them directly on the dashboard or uploading a .zip file via the dashboard. Let’s start with the first method—searching for the plugin directly. Search for a WordPress Plugin The easiest and most common way to install a plugin is by searching for it directly in your WordPress dashboard.
Step 1: Go to your WordPress dashboard, click on Plugins in the left sidebar, and then click Add New.

Step 2: In the search bar, type the name of the plugin you’re looking for or a keyword related to its functionality. After the search, you’ll see a list of plugins relevant to your query.

Step 3: After clicking the “Install Now” button, the plugin installation will begin. Once the installation is complete, you will notice that the “Install Now” button changes to an “Activate Now” button.

Step 4: Activate any plugin on your WordPress site to make it work. Click the “Activate Now” button to begin using the plugin.

  Here you go! Using the manual search method, you’ve successfully added a plugin! Note: This method only works for free plugins. Therefore, you cannot search for premium plugins using this method.

How do you install WordPress plugins from the official plugin directory?

You can use this method to add a premium plugin. Similarly, the abovementioned method cannot be used to install these plugins. WordPress offers an upload method that allows you to upload a downloadable file of a specific plugin and install it on your site. To learn how to install a plugin using the upload option in the admin area, follow the instructions below:
Step 1: First, download the plugin’s .zip file from the source and save it to an accessible location on your local storage.

Step 2: Log in to your WordPress dashboard using your credentials. Once logged in, navigate to the WordPress admin area and Plugins > Add New.

Step 3: At the top of this page, you’ll see the “Upload Plugin” option. Click on the button to upload the .zip file.

Step 4: Now, you will see the plugin upload form. Click on the Choose File option to browse and upload the plugin .zip file from your local storage.

Step 5: After selecting the file, click the “Install Now” button to begin the plugin installation on your WordPress site.

Step 6: Once the installation is complete, you will see a message confirming the plugin has been successfully installed, along with an Activate Plugin link at the end of the message.

Step 7: Click the “Activate Plugin” option to start using the plugin on your WordPress site.

That’s it! You’ve successfully installed a premium plugin using the upload method. Remember that you may need to configure the plugin settings to suit your needs. Settings can vary between plugins, but with some exploration, you’ll be all set.

How to Install WordPress Plugins Using an FTP Client?

Most beginners or experienced users prefer installing plugins via the WordPress dashboard. However, in some rare cases, your WordPress hosting provider may restrict the number of plugins you can install from the admin area. In such cases, you can install plugins using an FTP client. While this method is less user-friendly and a bit more complex, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through installing plugins using an FTP client. If you don’t have an FTP client, here’s a list of the 5 Best FTP Clients for WordPress Users. Follow the steps below:

Start by downloading the plugin’s source file, typically a .zip file. Save it to your local storage and extract the files. Extracting the plugin’s .zip file will create a new folder with the same name. You must manually upload this folder to your website using an FTP client. To access your host via FTP, enter your FTP username and password. If you don’t have these credentials, contact your hosting provider.

Step 1: Open your FTP client and connect to your website using the FTP login credentials provided by your WordPress hosting provider. Once connected, navigate to your website’s/wp-content/plugins/ folder.

 Step 2: The next step is to upload the extracted plugin folder from your local storage to the /wp-content/plugins/ folder on your web server.

Step 3: Wait for the upload to finish, then go to the WordPress admin area. Navigate to the Plugins section in the admin menu, where your newly uploaded plugin is listed on the Plugins page.

Step 4: Under the plugin, you’ll find the Activate option. Click Activate to enable the plugin and start using it on your WordPress site.

 Step 5: Depending on the plugin, you may need to configure its settings to suit your needs. Settings can vary between plugins, but with some exploration, you can adjust them accordingly. And that’s it—you’ve successfully installed the plugin using the FTP method.

Conclusion: Installing WordPress Plugins

WordPress is the most widely used platform on the internet, powering around 39.5% of websites today. Its popularity stems from being an open-source, free platform that offers users the flexibility to create and manage their websites according to their preferences. With an extensive range of features and functionalities, WordPress ensures you can add almost any feature you need, often through plugins. There are over 54,000 free plugins available to help with nearly every task. In fact, WordPress boasts the largest online community and plugin repository.

There are three methods to install plugins on your WordPress site. Most beginners opt for the dashboard method, as it is more user-friendly and straightforward. However, if needed, you can use the FTP method. In some cases, you might encounter plugins that don’t function properly or cause issues—simply deactivate them. They could have bugs or may be incompatible with your WordPress version. Be sure to check out our free templates and WordPress themes created by the WordPress website builder.

As a beginner, you might still have questions or concerns about installing plugins. Feel free to leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to assist you. As the leading WordPress information blog, we’re always here to help our readers.

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