How to Install WordPress Plugin: 3 Easy Methods

One of the WordPress platform's most significant advantages is the ability to customize and add soul to your website by installing a WordPress plugin.

WordPress plugins give you the power to pack your site with feature-rich interactivity.

The main feature that makes WordPress stand out is plugins:

Plugins let you add features to your WordPress site without hiring a developer or playing with coding. There are thousands of free and premium WordPress plugins out there.

The significant part is that installing a WordPress plugin is insanely more straightforward.

You need to follow some simple steps, and you're done. Here, I’ll share different ways to install a WordPress plugin.

As WordPress is open-source software, anyone with the skills and the experience can create a plugin. Therefore, it is important to choose a plugin from a trustworthy and reputable source.

Ways to Install WordPress Plugin

Before diving into the tutorial, let’s see what a WordPress plugin is.

What is a WordPress Plugin?

A plugin is simple software written in the PHP programming language that contains functions. It integrates with WordPress seamlessly, and the included functions help you add different features without touching a line of code.

WordPress usually has a plugin for any function you can imagine. It has almost every type of plugin you’ll need to run a WordPress site successfully, from SEO to website design.

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Here are Some Advantages and Disadvantages of Installing a WordPress Plugin:

Advantages of Installing a WordPress Plugin:

Increased functionality: Plugins can add many features to your WordPress site, such as e-commerce, social media integration, and analytics. This can save you time and money, as you wouldn't have to develop these features.

Security: Many WordPress plugins include security features that can help protect your site from hackers. This is especially important for sites that handle sensitive data, such as e-commerce.

Ease of use: Most WordPress plugins are easy to install and configure. You can usually find detailed instructions on the plugin's website or in the WordPress documentation.

Community support: Many WordPress plugins have large and active communities. This means you can usually get help if you encounter problems with a plugin.

Disadvantages of Installing a WordPress Plugin:

Maintenance: Plugins must be maintained just like any other part of your WordPress site. This means you need to keep them updated and check for security vulnerabilities.

Security risks: Some plugins may contain security vulnerabilities. This is why it's important to only install plugins from trusted sources and to keep them up to date.

Plugin bloat: If you install too many plugins, your site can become slow and bloated. Each plugin adds additional code and files to your site.

Compatibility issues: Plugins can sometimes conflict, causing problems with your site's functionality.

WordPress plugins can be a great way to add functionality and features to your site. However, it's essential to be aware of the potential disadvantages before you install any plugins.

Here are some tips for choosing and installing WordPress plugins:

• Only install plugins from trusted sources. Many reputable plugin developers exist, but some also create plugins with malicious intent.
• Read the plugin's reviews before you install it. This will give you an idea of how other users have experienced the plugin.
• Start with a few essential plugins and add more as needed. You don't need to install every plugin you find. Start with the ones you need and add more as you go.
• Keep your plugins up to date. Plugin developers release updates to fix bugs and security vulnerabilities, so keeping your plugins up to date is essential to protect your site.

Following these tips, you can help ensure your WordPress site is secure and performs well, even with plugins.

Things to Check Before Installing a Plugin

The WordPress Repository is the official reservoir of plugins. Every plugin in the repo has been designed following detailed guidelines and has undergone a series of initial tests to ensure it is malware-free.

The repo is monitored and moderated to ensure continued compliance with the policies, but when acquiring any software from the internet, use common sense and good judgment. Bad eggs exist.

As I said, thousands of plugins can be installed and activated on your site.

Don’t miss the many great themes available to you as well.

Ways to Install WordPress Plugin

But first, consider a few things before installing any plugin.

After all, you will find multiple plugins that help you do the same thing; here is how to choose which one to install on your site and which to ignore.

• Last Update: When was the plugin last updated? If it was updated in a few weeks or months, it would be an excellent plugin to install. If the plugin has not been updated for two or more years, avoid the plugin.
• Version Compatibility: Is the plugin compatible with your current version of WordPress? If not, then why bother and install it on your site. Ignore it and find one that is compatible with your site.
• Reviews: What do other people think about the plugin? Read the reviews and decide.

Once you’ve found your desired plugin, it’s time to install it. I’ll show you different ways to install a WordPress plugin.

Install WordPress Plugin With Official Method

This is the simplest way to install a plugin. A matter of a few clicks will do your job.

The only prerequisite is that the plugin you install should be available on the WordPress repository.

Now, let’s see how to install a plugin using the search method.

First, go to your WordPress admin area and click on Plugins > Add New.

After that, type the plugin name in the search box, and WordPress will show the plugins according to your search. Your desired plugin will usually be at the top of the list.

Then, click the ‘Install Now’ button and activate the plugin.

WordPress will then download and unpack the plugin. Once that’s over, it will ask if you want to activate the plugin.

At this point, the plugin does not modify your WordPress database and does not have access to it.

This is similar to uploading the plugin folder in your wp-content/plugin directory. When you activate the plugin, plugin data will access your database.

If you want to activate the plugin immediately, click on Activate Plugin. Alternatively, return to Plugins > Installed Plugins and click the Activate button.

Install WordPress Plugin Using Upload Method

This method is perfect when you have a plugin not available in the plugins directory, like paid plugins not available in the plugins' directory.

Adding plugins without them being in the plugins directory is also simple.

After downloading the plugin file (in a zip file), go to your WordPress admin dashboard > Plugins > Add New.

After that, click the ‘Upload Plugin’ button at the top of the page beside ‘Add Plugins.'

Then, you can drop the file or browse to add the file.

After that, WordPress will unpack the file and install it.

You can then activate the plugin and configure it on the settings page.

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Install WordPress Plugin Using FTP Manager

The FTP method is the most concrete and fail-proof way to install a WordPress plugin.

You need FTP access to your server. Most web hosts and managed WordPress hosting companies provide you with FTP access, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

Login to your FTP server using an FTP client like FileZilla and navigate the WordPress installation directory and the wp-content/plugins folder. The complete path would be:

WP_INSTALL_DIR/wp-content/plugins/

Extract the plugin archive and paste the folder (not the folder's contents) into the wp-content/plugins folder. If you upload the archive, WordPress won’t recognize it.

Next, upload the folder you extracted from the zip file to the /wp-content/plugins/ folder on your web server.

After uploading the files, you must visit the WordPress admin area and click on the Plugins link in the admin menu.

Your plugin will be successfully installed on the plugins page.

To activate the plugin, navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins, find the plugin we uploaded, and click on Activate.

Upon activating, you may need to configure the plugin settings. WordPress plugins have their own settings, which differ from one plugin to another, so we will not describe them here.

However, you could upload the archive and extract it using a suitable file manager provided by your web host.

Shared hosts like HostGator and BlueHost provide you with cPanel, whose powerful File Manager can extract zip archives in a breeze, amongst other essential file operations.

FatCow provides custom file management software, which also supports archive extraction.

FAQs About Ways to Install WordPress Plugins in Easy Steps:

Conclusion on Ways to Install WordPress Plugins:

You now know how to turn your WordPress website into whatever you want. With over 96,000 plugins in the repository, you have a daunting yet exciting task ahead.

Look at the Showcase section of WordPress.org, where many other WordPress websites are displayed. It’s a great way to collect ideas for what you can do with your site.

Adding plugins is essential for customizing your WordPress blog without needing developers to do everything you need. And adding them can’t be easier. In this post on your site, you discovered different ways to install WordPress plugins.

Now, add plugins, but don’t add too many so your loading speed isn’t affected. Have fun, be creative, and best of luck designing your masterpiece.

Do you have any questions about installing a WordPress plugin? Feel free to ask in the comments below.