How to Install a WordPress Plugin (3 easy methods)

The first thing a beginner can learn after installing WordPress is how to install a WordPress plugin.

WordPress plugins are similar to apps for your WordPress website. They enable you to add new features to WordPress, such as a contact form, ecommerce, and SEO plugin, among other things.

For WordPress, there are thousands of free and paid plugins.

How to Install a WordPress Plugin

There are 3 method how to install a plugin: using search, uploading the WordPress plugin and manually via FTP.

Install a Plugin using WordPress Plugin Search

Using the plugin search is the easiest way to install a WordPress plugin. The only drawback is that a plugin must be found in the WordPress plugin directory, which is restricted to only free plugins.

The first step is to go to your WordPress admin area’s Plugins -> Add New page.

You’ll see a screen similar to the one shown in the screenshot. Type the plugin’s name or the functionality you’re looking for to find it.

WordPress can now automatically download and install the plugin. After that, the ‘Install Now’ button will be replaced by the ‘Activate’ button.

You can install a WordPress plugin on your web, but it won’t work until you activate it. So go ahead and activate that plugin on your WordPress site by clicking the activate button.

That’s it; you’ve just finished installing your first WordPress plugin.

Install a Plugin using the WordPress Admin Plugin Upload

The WordPress plugin directory does not include paid WordPress plugins. The first approach will not work for these plugins.

That’s why WordPress includes an upload method for installing plugins like this. We’ll show you how to use the upload option in the admin area to install WordPress plugins.

The plugin upload form will appear as a result of this action. Here, select the plugin file you downloaded earlier to your computer by clicking the “Choose File” button.

After you’ve chosen the file, click the ‘Install Now’ button to begin the installation process.

WordPress will now upload and install the plugin file from your computer. To use the plugin, click the Activate Plugin link after it has been installed.

Manually Install a WordPress Plugin using FTP

To begin, you must first obtain the plugin’s source code (it will be a zip file). Then, on your computer, you must extract the zip file.

When you extract the plugin zip file, a new folder with the same name will be created. This is the folder you’ll need to manually upload to your website via FTP.

You’ll need to use the FTP manager to connect to your server. If you don’t know your FTP username or password, you can ask your WordPress hosting provider.

Connect to your website using the login credentials provided by your web host by using the FTP client on your computer. After you’ve linked, navigate to your website’s /wp-content/plugins/ folder.

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

After you’ve uploaded the files, go to the WordPress admin area and select Plugins from the admin menu. On the plugins page, you’ll see that your plugin has been successfully installed.

To use the plugin, go to the bottom of the page and click the Activate link.

More tips:

Should I get rid of any plugins that aren’t in use?

It is recommended that you remove a plugin from your website if you are not using it.

What is the maximum number of plugins I can install in WordPress?

You can put as many WordPress plugins as you like on your site. The quality of your plugins, not the number of plugins, affects the speed of your website.

What is the procedure for uninstalling a WordPress plugin?

By going to the Plugins page in the WordPress admin region, you can uninstall a WordPress plugin. If the plugin you want to uninstall is already active, you must first deactivate it. After that, you can simply delete it from your website by clicking the delete link.