If you have a blog on WordPress, you may be wondering how to enhance your website’s functionality. One way to achieve this is by installing WordPress plugins. These plugins are easy to install and can help you customize your website to meet your needs. There are only three ways you can Install WordPress Plugins, here’s how.
But First….
What Are WordPress Plugins?
WordPress plugins are software extensions that can be installed on a supported website to enhance existing functionalities or add new features. They are similar to apps on your mobile phone and can be created and distributed by anyone. Plugins are primarily written in the PHP programming language.
Plugins can be used to improve SEO for your WordPress blog, customize the WordPress theme, perform analysis on each page, and much more. Popular examples of WordPress plugins include Yoast SEO for search engine optimization, WP Forms for easy creation of contact forms, MonsterInsights for analytics, and Elementor for building and designing websites.
Using WordPress plugins, you can customize your website to meet your desired outlook and provide a better user experience for your visitors.
Are Plugins on WordPress Free?
All plugins available for download on the WordPress Plugin Directory are free to install.
However, not all of them offer advanced features for free. Some free WordPress plugins require a paid upgrade to unlock advanced functionalities.
Additionally, premium plugins are available from third-party vendors that you can purchase before installing them on your website. If you are familiar with coding, you can also create your own plugin and install it on your site as a WordPress admin.
Can You Install WordPress Plugins to Any Website?
WordPress plugins are designed specifically for websites that use the WordPress content management system. To install a plugin, you need to have a WordPress.org website that is hosted independently and have WordPress admin access.
It’s important to note that there are significant differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org websites. If you have a website hosted on WordPress.com, you would need to upgrade to the business plan to enjoy the benefits of plugins. However, if you don’t want to pay for plugin installations, move your website from WordPress.com to WordPress.org for as low as $2.75/month.
3 Ways to Install WordPress Plugins
If you want to enhance your WordPress site with additional features, you can install plugins. In this section, we will look at the three ways to install WordPress plugins: automatically, manually, and via FTP.
Installing WordPress Plugins Automatically
Installing WordPress plugins automatically is the easiest and most popular method. You can do it directly from your WordPress dashboard with just a few clicks. Follow these steps to install plugins automatically:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard using your username or email address and password.
- Click on Plugins on the left side of your dashboard, and then click Add New.
- Use the search bar in the top right corner to find your desired plugin.
- Once you find the plugin, click on its name or the More Details button to read about it.
- Click the Install Now button beside your chosen plugin to start the installation process.
- Once the installation is complete, click Activate to start using the plugin immediately. You can also activate it later from the Installed Plugins page.
Installing WordPress Plugins Manually
Manual installation is necessary for third-party WordPress plugins unavailable in the directory. Most of the times these are third party paid apps that users must buy before using. The process is similar expect for a few steps.
Follow these steps to install plugins to your WordPress site manually:
- Download the plugin in .zip archive format to your computer.
- Log in to your WordPress admin panel.
- Click on Plugins, and then click on Add New to upload your plugin.
- On the Add Plugins page, click on Upload Plugin.
- Click Choose File to locate and select your downloaded plugin from your computer.
- Click Install Now and wait for the installation to complete.
- Click Activate Now to start using the plugin immediately. You can also activate it later from the Installed Plugins page.
Installing WordPress Plugins via FTP
FTP installation is the most complex method and shouldn’t be needed if you use a hosting provider like bluehost. This happens when the hosting provider restricts admin installs. If your hosting provider restricts this, here are the steps to install WordPress plugins using FTP:
- Download the required plugin from the WordPress directory or other third-party vendors.
- Unzip or extract the installation file from the downloaded .zip file.
- Download an FTP client to connect to the host server and transfer files.
- Open and connect your FTP client to your WordPress website server using the necessary credentials.
- Once connected, find the wp-content folder and open it.
- Navigate to the plugins folder and open it.
- Select your unzipped plugin folder and upload it to the plugins folder.
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
- Click Activate to start using the plugin on your website.
FAQs About WordPress Plugins Installation
How Many WordPress Plugins Should You Install?
WordPress offers over 60,000 free plugins, and there are even more in third-party marketplaces. While there is no limit to the number of plugins you can install, it is essential to note that too many plugins can slow down your website’s loading time and speed of navigation. Therefore, it is recommended that you only install the ones you need. Additionally, you should delete any plugins that you no longer use to ensure optimal website performance.
How Can You Use WordPress Plugins?
After installing a plugin, you can typically start using it as soon as you activate it. However, some advanced plugins may require further configuration before you can use them. For instance, a language translation plugin may ask for deeper configuration. If a plugin requires complex configuration, you may be taken to a setup wizard after installation for an initial walkthrough.
How Do You Update and Uninstall WordPress Plugins?
Many WordPress plugins release periodic updates. You can set your plugins to update automatically or manually update them by navigating to the Updates page of the WordPress dashboard. When a new update is available, you should see a notification tag next to Updates. To uninstall a plugin, navigate to the Installed Plugins page by clicking on Plugins. You will need to click Deactivate before you can delete it. Once deactivated, click Delete to complete the plugin uninstallation.
Remember to keep the number of plugins you install to a minimum, always ensure you configure them properly, and keep them up to date to avoid any potential issues.
Wrapping Up
WordPress plugins provide a simple way to add functionality to your website. With the vast array of free and premium plugins, you can easily find one that suits your needs. The step-by-step guide we provided above should help you install, use, and uninstall WordPress plugins with ease.
Some of the best WordPress plugins to consider for your website include for menu customization, SEO ranking boost, Facebook sharing, appointment management, and performance boost. Take some time to research and find the ones that will best suit your website’s needs.
If you haven’t already, head over to my How to Start A Blog post to get your blog setup with all the proper plugins needed.