Installing WordPress Plugins

WordPress offers a lot right out of the box. But, plugins enhance and extend its functionality with features like SPAM control, security safeguards, contact forms, and slideshows. In this post, we’ll show you three ways to install plugins. While two are done inside the WordPress administrative area, one is through FTP.

I recommend using bloat-free themes that are accessible, responsive, and well-coded. Add the capabilities you need with plugins. Stay away from multipurpose themes that come packaged with a bunch of tools and options that you may never use; these add-ons only slow down the site speed.

Install Plugins via the Dashboard Using Plugin Search

When you log into WordPress, you enter the administrative panel of the site, called the Dashboard. Part of this control panel is the left sidebar, which lists the different sections of your site. It is essentially a vertical navigation menu.

1. Log into the WordPress website.
2. In the left sidebar, find the Plugins area and click on the Add New navigation label.
   
   
   
3. On the Add Plugins page, you have two choices:
   • Search Plugins – for finding free plugins in the WordPress directory
   • Upload Plugins – for uploading third-party plugins that you’ve purchased
   
   
4. Go to the Search Plugins field at the top of the page and type in the name or function of the plugin you want.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Browse the options and click on the Install Now button for the one you want. WordPress will retrieve the plugin from the directory and install it.
   
   
   
6. After installation is complete, the “Install Now” button changes to “Activate“. You can activate the plugin now, which will switch it “on”.
   
   
   
   
   Or, you can activate it later by going to the Installed Plugins area.
   
   
   
7. Depending on the plugin, you might have to configure some settings. Then, you’ll be done!
   

Install Plugins via the Dashboard Using Plugin Upload

Third-party plugins that you purchase are not available in the WordPress directory. They can’t be installed with the Search Plugin method. So, you’ll have to use the “Upload Plugin” method described here. Before you begin, you should download the purchased plugin in a .zip format from the vendor.

1. Log into the WordPress website.
2. In the left sidebar, find the Plugins area and click on the Add New navigation label.
   
   
   
3. On the Add Plugins page, click on the Upload Plugin button at the top of the page.
   
   
   
4. The upload window will appear. You can do one of two things:
   • Click on the Choose File button, find and select the plugin file from your computer
   OR
   • Drag the file from your computer and drop it into the upload area.
   In either case, the file you upload must be a .zip archive (compressed format).
   
   
   
   
5. Once uploaded, click on Install Now. WordPress will automatically decompress and install the plugin.
   
   
   
   
6. After installation, the “Install Now” button changes to “Activate Plugin“. You can activate the plugin now, which will switch it “on”. Or, you can activate it later by going to the “Installed Plugins” area.
   
   
   
   
   After some settings are configured, you’ll be done!
   

Install Plugins via FTP

It’s always good to know how to install a plugin manually, using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Every so often, a quirky stumbling block will impede the installation from the Dashboard. The webhost may impose file size restrictions. Or maybe WordPress is confused when you try to reinstall a deactivated plugin. Knowing the manual method will help you work through any unusual circumstances.

Before You Begin

You’ll need a couple of things in order to access your site files via FTP:

1. Get the login credentials from your webhost.
2. Install an FTP client (application). I use Filezilla. There are many other options, including Transmit, Cyberduck, and Forklift.

Installation Steps

1. Download the plugin in a .zip format.
   Free plugins can be found in the WordPress directory. Here, you can search for it just as you would in the site’s Dashboard. Select the plugin and click the Download button to get a .zip archive of it.
   OR
   Download a purchased plugin in a .zip format from the vendor.
   
   
2. Unzip the compressed archive. Usually, double-clicking will decompress the file. Alternatively, you can use an app like Stuffit Expander to do the job. “Unzippping” extracts its contents into a new folder with the same name (without the version number and “.zip” suffix). You should upload the new folder, not the .zip archive.
   
   
   
3. Open the FTP client. Log into your website’s file directory.
   
   
4. In the Remote site window, navigate to the plugins folder (public > wp-content > plugins).
   In the Local site window, navigate to where you’ve stored the plugin.
   
   
5. Upload the plugin folder from your computer (Local site) to the website’s plugins directory (Remote site):
   public > wp-content > plugins
   NOTE: The two most common ways to upload with an FTP client are (1) Select the file in the Local Site window and right-click to get the Upload command; (2) Select the file on your computer; click and drag it into the Remote Site window.
   
   
   
   
6. Log into the WordPress website.
7. Go to the Installed Plugins area.
8. Find the newly installed plugin and activate it.
   
   
   
   Configure the settings and then you’ll be done!
   

Practice the Different Methods

Installing plugins will become easier the more you do it. Learn the ins and outs of each method by starting with a few key plugins. Practice installing and configuring them. Here are my suggestions:

• Anti-SPAM
• Wordfence
• Backup plugin, like Duplicator or Updraft
• Contact form

Video Tutorial

If you prefer, you can watch the video tutorial I made that shows three different ways to install WordPress plugins:

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