WordPress is one of the biggest content management system (CMS), around the world. WordPress gives complete access of the website in the user’s hand. After installing WordPress, You need to add some plugins to make the site work properly. We’ve given 3 easy ways to install WordPress plugins.
There are some technical things that you should know about before using WordPress. Like WordPress themes, Plugins, etc.
This guide is for both WordPress.org and WordPress.com users
Remember if you are a WordPress.com user you need to upgrade to a business plan to install plugins.
What are Plugins in WordPress?
Plugins are the most important thing in WordPress. Plugins allow users to add many more features to their websites. There are tons of free and premium plugins available on the web, Plugins provides everything that a site needs.
Some important plugins for WordPress websites, which you should install for the first time
- Yoast SEO
- Jetpack for WordPress
- Akismet: Spam Protection for WordPress
- MonsterInsights – The Best Google Analytics Plugin
Now let’s take a look at how to install a WordPress plugin on your website..
How to Install a WordPress Plugin
You can follow my step-by-step tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.
I have covered all 3 easy methods: Installing a WordPress plugin using search, installing the plugin using the upload method for third party plugins, and manually installing plugins using FTP.
Installing Plugin Through WordPress Dashboard
The easiest way to install any plugin in WordPress through plugins search. The only problem with this option is that a plugin must be in the WordPress plugin directory to install. You can easily search and install it.
Simply log into your site dashboard and click on Plugins > Add New. Then search your required plugin to install.
After installing the plugin, it won’t work unless you activate it. So go ahead and click on the activate button to start using the plugin.
After installing the plugin you need to configure it according to your need. These settings will vary for each plugin.
Checkout the YoastSEO video tutorial for this:
Installing WordPress Plugins Using The Upload Method
Using the first method you can install only those plugins that are listed in the WordPress plugin directory. You cannot install paid premium plugins because the 3rd party plugins are not listed in the WordPress plugin directory.
For this WordPress comes with a second method, which called the upload method to install such plugins. I will show you how to install WordPress plugins using the upload method.
First of all, you need to download your desired plugin from the source (The file comes in a zip format). After downloading, you need to go to the WordPress admin area and go to plugins and click on Add new. After that click on the ‘Upload Plugin’ button on top of the page.
After clicking on ‘Upload Plugin’ and browse your drive folder to find the plugin which is in zip format.
Once the plugin installed (Uploaded), you need to click on the activate plugin to start using it.
You need to configure the plugin settings according to your needs. The plugin’s settings will vary for each plugin.
Right now WordPress only accepts the .zip format for uploading plugins and themes.
Installing Plugins Using FTP Method
After those two methods, the final method left is to install a WordPress plugin using an FTP client. Doing this process is a bit difficult for beginners as you need to know how to configure an FTP client. But I have given an easy way to do it.
This method is very useful if you are not able to install a WordPress plugin using the WordPress dashboard.
You need to download your plugin before uploading it. Simply download the plugin(It will be in a zip file), and extract the zip file on your computer.
You need to download your plugin before uploading it. Simply download the plugin(It will be in a zip file), and extract(Unzip) the zip file on your computer, and upload it to your WordPress plugin library which is wpcontent/plugins. using the FTP software.
To do this I’ve used FileZilla, which is the best FTP client in the market. FileZilla is available for all major computer OS.
After uploading go to your WordPress dashboard to activate the uploaded plugin. Because with FTP you can only upload your plugin, can’t activate.
Conclusion: Installing A WordPress Plugin
In my recommendation, Use the dashboard’s search and upload feature. Use FTP only in specific cases. You can easily activate or deactivate your plugins with a single click through the WP dashboard.
Sometimes you may find that certain plugins created issues with your WordPress site. You can resolve this problem with 2 methods using WordPress recovery mode and via FTP software.
If anything goes wrong with your website you will receive an email from your hosting provider with problem causing detail and a link to open your website on recovery mode, you can solve the issue through that.
With FTP simply log into your website file manager and deactivate that plugin and your problem will be resolved.
This happens only when a certain plugin is not compatible with a certain version of WordPress.
FAQ (Question & Answers)
Well, it depends on what is your website about. Above I have given some useful plugins for a website.
Installed plugin means it’s just installed, to use the plugin you need to activate it.
If you are not using a plugin it is recommended to delete that plugin.
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