Last updated on November 17, 2023 by newWebber
WordPress is like a versatile canvas where you paint your online dreams. Yet, how can you make this canvas truly mesmerizing and user-friendly? The answer lies in the realm of WordPress plugins.
These WordPress add-ons are like enchanting tools that breathe life into your website, infusing it with features that captivate and engage your visitors.
But as a beginner, you often need guidance while using these useful plugins and add-ons. After all, you’re trying to build the presence of your business on WordPress! As you’re not a coder yourself, these things may seem a little bit techy at first!
But don’t worry, I’ve got your back…
In today’s informative guide, I will show you where you can get the WordPress plugin and how to install them. Hence let’s add/install the plugins in WordPress and turn your website into an interactive masterpiece.
Table of Contents
One of the easiest yet effective ways of installing a free WP plugin is to use the wp-admin dashboard. First, navigate to Plugins > Add New from your WP Dashboard. Search for your desired plugin and hit the Install button associated with the plugin. Now the only thing left is to activate them from the plugin menu. That’s how easy installing a plugin is!
But wait, what if you wanna install a premium version of a plugin or you can’t find your plugin on the WordPress plugin library? Here comes some other ways of installing and making your website more attractive and dynamic.
Don’t worry, I’m gonna cover them all for you in this step-by-step plugin installation guide. Just hang on with me till the end and discover the power of plugins in WordPress!
A detailed guide to installing a plugin to your WordPress dashboard, including the popular and easiest method of installation:
One of the most effective strategies involves installing a plugin directly from the WordPress plugin library or dashboard. With over 59,000 free options and additional marketplaces to explore, you’ll seamlessly enhance your site’s capabilities. Let’s elevate your website together.
First, go to the WordPress website Dashboard
Inside the admin area, navigate to Plugins > Add New
Now, search the plugin on the search bar if you have a targeted plugin. Also, you can use the Popular, Recommended, or Favorites section from the menu.
Click on the Install Now button after you pick a plugin.
Once you’ve successfully installed the plugin on your WordPress site, it’s important to remember that you won’t see immediate results until you activate it. As soon as the installation is complete, an Active button will appear, eagerly waiting for your click.
Don’t worry if you misplace the plugin or navigate elsewhere after clicking the install button. Head to the Plugin menu, where you’ll find a comprehensive list of all your installed plugins.
Hover over a specific plugin with your mouse pointer, and you’ll encounter several options, including the Active option with each unactivated plugin. From here, you can activate all the plugins you wanna work with.
It’s pretty simple, right? Now let’s dive into the next method.
Unlike free plugins on WordPress, the paid ones don’t often appear in the directory. No worries, though! WordPress has your back with the upload method. And I‘m here to guide you through installing paid plugins using the upload option in the admin area.
To install the plugin from the plugin uploader, first, you need to download the plugin file from its source. Typically, this arrives as a compressed file (like a ZIP file) containing all the essential plugin files and folders. Once the plugin file is securely stored on your device, it’s time for installation.
Carry out the process below to install a WordPress plugin manually:
Likewise, the previous method, click on the Plugin menu on the WordPress dashboard. Then, choose the Add New button from the top.
Click Upload Plugin in the next window.
Now click on the ‘Choose File’ button and select the zip file you downloaded earlier. After selecting the file, click on the Install Now button to start the installation.
Once installed, activate it and start reaping its benefits!
WordPress is a open source CMS making it super flexible for those who want some extra control over their work. Likewise, being able to add a plugin to your WordPress site via FTP is must needed function for a web developer. It is a hands-on approach that gives you more control.
FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is a hands-on approach that gives you more control and let you directly manage your site’s files from your computer. This method steps in when standard methods hit a snag or you want a personal touch. Let’s explore how to do it!
Follow the below procedure to insert a plugin to your WordPress site through FTP:
Download the plugin ZIP file from a trusted source. Make sure it’s compatible with your WordPress version.
Download and install an FTP client like FileZilla if you don’t have one. Then, open the FTP client and enter your website’s FTP credentials (host, username, password, and port) to establish a connection.
After connecting, you’ll see local files on the left and remote files on the right. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation on the remote side. This is usually public_html or www.
Navigate to the “wp-content” folder and find the “plugins” folder inside it.
On the local side, unzip the plugin ZIP file you downloaded earlier. Now, drag and drop the entire plugin folder from the local side to the “plugins” folder on the remote side. Wait for the files to upload.
Once the upload is complete, log in to your WordPress dashboard. Go to the “Plugins” section. You’ll see the newly uploaded plugin listed. Now, click “Activate” below the plugin name to activate it.
This is how you install and activate your WordPress plugin using FTP.
However, manual installation of WordPress plugins using FTP is a tough task. Following the outlined steps and referencing plugin documentation, you can seamlessly introduce new plugins to your site, unlocking endless potential.
Sometimes, you need to manage your plugin by deactivating, deleting, or customizing some of its settings. Being unable to manage the plugins will make your head spin during critical times!
So, let’s prevent it before it happens:
First, you need to head to the ‘Plugins‘ section in your WordPress dashboard. Here, you can activate, deactivate, update, or delete plugins.
Let’s Start with Deactivating a Plugin:
The plugin will now be deactivated, pausing its functionality on your website.
Delete a plugin from WordPress:
The plugin, along with its associated data, will be permanently removed from your website.
Remember, exercising caution while removing plugins is crucial to avoid potentially losing associated settings or data. Make prudent choices in managing your plugins to uphold a streamlined and effective WordPress environment.
Whether you’re about to start a WordPress blog or trying to set-up a eCommerce store, you’re gonna need plenty of plugins that are most common in WordPress.
Nevertheless, you’ve probably noticed that some WordPress plugins are pretty simple, right? Well, those usually start working as soon as you install them. For instance, imagine you’ve got a “Share on Social Media” plugin. Once you install it, those little sharing buttons could immediately pop up.
But some plugins do a whole bunch of cool things. Think about a “Membership and Subscription” plugin for your website. With these, you might need to do some setup to get them going. It’s like setting up the preferences for your streaming service – you choose what you like and what you don’t.
However, Let’s now talk about some of the popular plugins of WordPress:
Contact Form 7
When it comes to fostering smooth and effective communication on your WordPress site, Contact Form 7 shines as a trusted solution. This widely-used plugin empowers you to establish multiple contact forms effortlessly, ensuring your visitors can easily connect with you.
With its intuitive integration, you can strategically place these forms on various pages or posts. Furthermore, the ability to customize fields, messages, and styles adds a personalized touch, reinforcing your brand identity.
Elementor Page Builder
Embark on a journey of creative freedom with Elementor, an exceptional visual page builder plugin that transcends design limitations. Craft visually captivating web pages without delving into complex coding intricacies.
The intuitive drag-and-drop interface empowers you to construct intricate layouts, integrate diverse widgets, and seamlessly style elements to your heart’s content.
Moreover, Elementor’s responsiveness ensures your designs retain their allure across all devices, ensuring a consistent and appealing user experience.
Smush Image Optimizer Plugin
Enhancing your website’s performance doesn’t need to be a daunting task. Your trusty image optimization companion, Smush, is here to optimize your media and elevate loading speeds seamlessly.
By deftly compressing and resizing images, Smush strikes the perfect balance between retaining image quality and reducing file sizes. The result? A faster, more streamlined browsing experience that leaves a lasting positive impression on your visitors.
To sum up, Contact Form 7 ensures seamless interactions, Elementor empowers your creative expression, and Smush optimizes your media for an impeccable user experience. Your WordPress journey is about to become even more fulfilling and rewarding.
Even though you must need some plugins to build your desired website, you don’t get the best out of them for free. For those who want to pay less and get more, WordPress Black Friday deals are the best to get. Don’t miss out the opportunity.
Before adding a WordPress plugin, meticulously evaluate its functionality, relevance to your website’s purpose, and reputation within the WordPress plugin community. Investigate its affordability, regularity of updates, and alignment with your site’s goals.
Adhering to these guidelines protects your website from unnecessary clutter and potential conflicts. You can also ensure a seamless and optimized performance.
Here are some crucial points to consider before installing a plugin on your WordPress site:
You now have a comprehensive understanding of the necessary checks to perform before installing a plugin. And you have to verify this to choose the best WordPress plugins.
Ensure a smooth and secure plugin integration by methodically checking compatibility, reviews, support, updates, developer reputation, and security measures. Thus, your foray into the realm of WordPress plugins will be fruitful and empowering.
Installing these little bundles of magic is an absolute breeze. Following the steps outlined here, you can effortlessly enhance your website’s functionality and easily delight visitors.
however, remember to choose reputable plugins, ensure compatibility, and update them for optimal performance. With the right plugins, your WordPress site will soar to new heights, providing an exceptional user experience. Enjoy exploring the world of plugins and watch your website thrive.
Hope I was able to clear all the confusion regarding your WP plugin installation and usage. Yet it’s ok to stay unclear. If that’s your case, don’t hesitate to hit me in the comment box or personally contact me. I’ll be there anytime you need me. Happy pressing with your words!
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