How To Add and Install Plugins to WordPress?
Last Updated on 17th August 2023 by Ajmer Singh
After successful installation of WordPress, the first thing that comes into mind is ‘How to add plugins to WordPress’ or How to install WordPress Plugins??
To add more functionalities to your website, plugins play an important role.
So, in this article, I am going to tell you how to properly add and install plugins to WordPress.
But before starting, I want to clarify that you cannot install a plugin in WordPress.com until you upgrade to their business plan.
WordPress.com is limited that’s why I always recommend WordPress.org.
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How to add and install WordPress Plugins?
In this tutorial, we will walk you through the step-by-step process, helping you expand the functionality of your WordPress site effortlessly.
You can add and install plugins in 3 different ways,
1. Plugin Search from Dashboard
It is one of the easiest ways to install a plugin in WordPress.
You will find a lot of plugins by searching here and yes most of these plugins are free.
As I said it’s simple, just click on add plugin, and in the search bar look for the plugin you want.
You will get a lot of options for every search.
Compare every plugin with reviews, ratings, etc., and then select the best one according to your needs.
After that click on install now, wait for a few seconds then activate it.
For example, we are looking for an SEO plugin, you will see a lot of plugins are available like Yoast SEO, All in One SEO Pack, RankMath, SEO Framework, etc.
We are already using Yoast SEO that’s why you can see the active option there.
Yoast SEO is one of the best plugins for SEO but as I said compare before using any plugin.
2. Upload a Plugin
There are a lot of paid plugins that are not available in the plugin directory like the WP Rocket cache plugin.
To install these plugins WordPress gives you the option to upload.
Download the plugin from their website. The file will be in the .zip format.
Next click on the upload plugin, then choose a file (select your plugin file in .zip format).
Click on install now. After the plugin will be installed, activate it.
Done, now you can use this plugin.
3. Manually install a Plugin via FTP
This process is not for beginners, so if you are new to WordPress then avoid using this and go for the above two steps.
In the second method, you downloaded a plugin file and upload it, but in this process, you need to download a plugin file and extract this .zip file into a folder.
Here you have to access your host FTP manager, if you don’t know the username and password then ask your hosting provider.
Some are using third-party software like FileZilla to access their FTP, while some are using managed hosting accounts to access the file manager.
Connect your site using the id password and go to /wp-content/plugins/.
Next, you need to upload the folder you extracted to this /wp-content/plugins/.
Done, now visit your WordPress admin dashboard and check the installed plugins.
You will see the plugin is installed, next, you need to activate the plugin.
I am using Cloudways Hosting which provides all the FTP login details.
| Plugin Search from Dashboard | Upload a Plugin | Manually Install a Plugin via FTP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Easy | Moderate | Technical |
| Installation Time | Quick | Quick | May take longer |
| Accessibility | Requires internet connection | Requires file | Requires FTP credentials |
| Plugin Updates | Automatic | Automatic | Manual |
| Plugin Compatibility | Ensured through the WordPress Plugin Directory | Ensured through the uploaded plugin file | Depends on manual file management |
| Flexibility | Limited to available plugins | Any plugin file | Any plugin file |
| Recommended Use | Installing popular plugins | Installing premium or custom plugins | Advanced users, custom development |
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