Here is the complete beginner’s guide to help you start your blog and see the bottom section to learn how to use WordPress.
All this information is free, feel free to take action and start building something new.
- Part 1: WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org: Which Should You Choose?
- Part 2: How to Buy Hosting for Your WordPress Blog
- Part 3: How to Install WordPress on Bluehost
- Part 4: Basic Setup After Installing WordPress
- Part 5: << You are here >>
- Part 6: How to Choose a WordPress Theme
- Part 7: How to Install a WordPress Theme
- Part 8: 14 Tips to Secure Your WordPress Site
- Part 9: Pro Tips to Speed Up WordPress and Reduce Loading Times
WordPress is a mature content management system (CMS), and there are some technical aspects you need to understand when you start using WordPress.
Installing WordPress plugins is something every self-hosted WordPress blogger should know how to do.
Technically, WordPress provides three ways to install WordPress plugins on your blog:
- Search and install
- Upload and install
- FTP
In the FTP method, you upload the plugin using FTP software such as FileZilla or CyberDuck. Then activate and configure it. In the other two methods, you can search, find, install, and activate the plugin with just a few clicks.
Search and add WordPress plugins from your dashboard
Installing the plugin from your WordPress dashboard is the easiest way.
If you know the name of the plugin, you can search for and install it directly from your dashboard .
Simply log in to your blog dashboard and click Plugins > Add New. Then enter your search term in the search box in the top right corner.
In this case, I searched for WP-Optimize and got the following results:
You can view more information about any plugin by clicking “More Details .” Make sure to check if the plugin is compatible with your current version of WordPress.
Also, before installing any new plugin , always read the documentation.
To install, just click "Install Now" and then "Activate" the plugin
The next step is to go into the plugin’s settings panel and make all the necessary changes. Many times, we make the mistake of installing plugins without configuring them properly. After installing any plugin, always make sure to configure the settings.
Installing custom WordPress plugins downloaded from third-party websites
If you downloaded a WordPress plugin from somewhere, you can upload the .zip file and install it directly from the WordPress dashboard.
Click "Upload Plugin" and browse your drive for the .zip file.
Currently, WordPress only accepts .zip format for uploading WordPress plugins and themes.
Install WordPress plugins using FTP
This is another very useful method when you are unable to install WP plugins using the WordPress dashboard.
You simply download the plugin from the WordPress plugin repository, unzip it, and upload it to your WordPress plugin repository using FTP software. You can use FileZilla , which is free and available for all major computer operating systems.
Typically, plugin upload folders are located under wp-content/plugins.
Once you have uploaded the file, you can simply go to the WordPress plugin folder in your WP dashboard and activate the plugin. This is a very useful method for those who cannot install plugins or themes from the dashboard due to server restrictions.
Conclusion: 3 Ways to Install WordPress Plugins
Personally, I prefer to use the dashboard's search and upload features. Only in specific cases do I need to use the FTP method.
Managing WordPress plugins is also easy. All you have to do is go to the plugins folder in your WP dashboard and activate or deactivate plugins with a single click.
Sometimes you may find that after installing a plugin, you experience issues with your WordPress site. Simply log in to your dashboard via FTP and deactivate the plugin. Some plugins are not compatible with certain versions of WordPress and can cause issues.
If you are new to WP or planning to start using WordPress, you should check out our complete WordPress guide .
See also:
Speaking of plugins, here is a list of WordPress plugins that I use at SilelinePlay .
If you face any issues while installing, activating, and deactivating the plugin, let me know via comments.
You can now read Part 6 of the “Starting a Blog” series:
If you liked this guide, don't forget to share it with your friends!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click through to visit us, at no extra cost to you. See how SidelinePlay is funded, why it’s important, and how you can support us.
Was this helpful?