If you are new to WordPress and wondering How To Install A WordPress Plugin, then you are lucky. This article is a simple guide to help beginners learn about installing plugins on WordPress. There are over thousands of plugins on WordPress, some of which are free while others are paid/premium. This tutorial guide will help you through the process of installing a WordPress plugin without any complications.
WordPress Plugin – What Is A WordPress Plugin?
As we know, WordPress comes with a powerful backend dashboard where you can access many things. From the dashboard you can publish posts, pages, and more other activities. The WordPress dashboard is designed in a way that offers benefits via its functions and features to a wide range of users.
Some of the features may not be enough for some WordPress users, and they may require more functionalities. This is where WordPress plugins comes in handy.
WordPress Plugins are addons which can be installed in WordPress dashboard to extend or depreciate some WordPress functions and features. They can be installed and activated in the WordPress dashboard.
There are thousands of plugins available on WordPress for different functions like SEO, security, e-commerce, social media integration, etc. As we have previously explained, there are free and premium plugins.
After you have installed and activated a plugin, then you can configure the settings and options that suits your needs. If no longer needed, you can deactivate and even delete a plugin from your WordPress account dashboard.
How To Install A WordPress Plugin?
There are different installation methods for WordPress plugins. But let us get started with the general and easy method.
Installing Plugin Through WordPress Plugin Repository
This is the easiest and most used method of installing a WordPress plugin. Follow the steps below to install a WordPress plugin using this method:
- Firstly, visit WordPress website using the format yourwebsite.com/wp-admin
- Login to your website
- From the options in the left, navigate to Plugins and click on Add New
- You will be redirected to a library of plugins where you can search for thousand of plugins available on the WordPress plugin repository.
- Search for your desired plugin and click on Install
- After installation, click on Activate
Now, the plugin has been added to your WordPress functionality and can be used for its features on your website.
Installing A Plugin Through The WordPress Plugin Upload Method
This method required the .zip file of the plugins already downloaded to your computer. If someone has sent you a plugin file, or you bought a premium plugin, then the file will be saved on your device.
Next, you will need to go to Plugins, and select Add New. Then click on the Upload Plugin option from the top left side of the page.
Select the file from where it is saved on your device, and click on Install Now and Activate the plugin.
Installing A Plugin Through Hosting File Manager
This method is rarely used. First, you will need to download a WordPress plugin to your computer, then extract it.
After that, head to your website root folder via file manager or FTP.
Then hover to WP Content, and select Plugins. Upload the contents of the extracted files saved on your system to the Plugins Folder. It will automatically be saved after upload is completed.
Finally, go to the WordPress plugin page where you can see uploaded plugins. Click on Activate and you are done.
NOTE: Ensure to delete any deactivated file from your WordPress. This helps to fasten your website.
