How to Install WordPress Plugins??

After installing WordPress, the very first question every beginner gets is how to install WordPress plugins??

A plugin extends the performance of the website and you can do almost anything that you imagine with the help of a plugin. Installing the WordPress plugin is an important thing that every blogger should know. Let’s check how to install WordPress plugins??

What is Plug-in??

The plug-in is a software component that contains functions written in PHP language used to extend the functionality of a WordPress website. Plugins are designed to add flexibility and reduce code bloat in WordPress.

A Plug-in adds a specific set of new features which can be seamlessly integrated with the website.  A plug-in allows easy modification, customization and enhancement of a website.

Read this article to get more information about WordPress plugins.

How to Install WordPress Plugins??

If you’re using wordpress.com you cannot install plugins due to its own limitations. In order to use plugins, you should use self-hosted WordPress.

Installing the WordPress plugin can be done by using three different methods.

• Search and Install plugin from WordPress dashboard
• Upload Plugin To WordPress Blog:
• Manually install plugin using FTP

Search and Install Plugin from WordPress Dashboard:

WordPress dashboard is one of the easiest ways to install the plugin and any beginner can easily install the plugin. If you know the name of the plugin you can directly search and install the plugin from the dashboard.

In order to install the plugin, login to your blog dashboard and click on plugins and click on add new. If you know the name of the plugin, enter plugin name on search bar results will be displayed and select the plugin and click on install. Now your plugin will be installed.

If you don’t know the name of the plugin you can find with the topic name on the search bar and you should pick the good quality plugin from the results that compatible with the WordPress version which you are using. Always check the plugin ratings, downloads and reviews of the plugin before downloading.

If the plugin already installed on your blog, you’ll get the result showing that the plugin is already existed and cannot install again.

Once installed activate and configure the plugin to get started with it.

Upload And Install Plugin:

If you buy any Paid plugins those are not listed in WordPress plugin directory, those plugins cannot be installed using the first method. For that paid plugins you need to upload and install to WordPress blog.

In order to install the plugin, click on add new and there’s an option displayed upload plugin. This will bring you to the upload page. Now click on choose file and select the file from the computer and upload the plugin to the folder and click on install now button. Then click on activate the plugin in order to activate it. You can only upload .zip files.

Manually Install Plugin Using FTP

This is another method to install the plugin when you could not upload the plugin using above 2 methods due to WordPress file restrictions.  This method is not user-friendly for beginners.

First, download the plugin source file (zip file) and extract the same on your computer. In order to upload the file, log into FTP software or Cpanel and upload the file to the plugin folder located in Wp-content. Once you uploaded the file, go to WordPress dashboard and activate it.

Personally, I prefer using dashboard search to install a plugin and also it’s very easy and fast.

Manage WordPress Plugins:

Managing the WordPress plugins also very easy and you can simply activate, deactivate and delete the plugins in installed plugin folder under plugins from your dashboard.

Read: 10 Essential WordPress Plugins for WordPress Blog.

If you are completely new to WordPress, this guide to install WordPress Plugin will helpful to you.

If you’ve any questions, feel free to contact me and share this post with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and Google +.