Ultimate Guide on How to Install WordPress Plugin

Table of Content

• What are WordPress Plugins?
• Why Install WordPress Plugins?
• How to Install WordPress Plugin?
  • Method 1: Installing Plugins from the WordPress Plugin Directory
  • Method 2: Uploading Plugins Manually
  • Method 3: Installing WordPress Plugins via FTP
• Best Practices for WordPress Plugins
• FAQs Related to Installing WordPress Plugins
• Conclusion

Before we talk about installing WordPress plugins, you need to understand what they are. Plugins are like spices added to the mix, adding flavor and zest to the website. So WordPress developers can cater to all the visitors’ tastes.

Whether you want to boost your website’s SEO, enhance security measures, create eye-catching contact forms, integrate social media features, or delve into e-commerce, there’s a plugin to meet your needs. But we understand that navigating the world of plugins can be overwhelming, especially for those new to WordPress.

So this blog will serve as a comprehensive guide to installing WordPress plugins with ease. Along with the installation methods, we’ll take a look at the best practices for using them on a website. 

Without further ado, let’s start with what WordPress plugins are.

What are WordPress Plugins?

One of the significant highlights of WordPress is its extensive collection of plugins. They are add-on components designed by WordPress experts to extend the functionality of a website. Essentially, they are small pieces of code that can be installed and integrated into a WordPress site quite easily. They can help enhance the features and capabilities quite effectively.

These plugins offer the essential functionalities for creating and launching a WordPress website. That includes publishing content, managing users, and controlling the site’s appearance. However, plugins offer an extensive array of specialized features and tools that cater to the specific needs and requirements of website owners.

While plugins enhance a website’s functionality and flexibility, it’s essential to use them judiciously. Make sure to keep them updated regularly to maintain a secure and well-performing website. A careful selection of reliable and reputable plugins can help users create powerful and dynamic websites that cater to their specific goals and target audience.

Why Install WordPress Plugins?

At its core, WordPress is a customizable CMS that can help create high-quality websites. But the best part of using a website development platform is that you can extend its functionalities by installing WordPress plugins. They offer numerous benefits that improve your website’s performance, user experience, and overall success.

WordPress development services use the plugins for a variety of purposes, a few of which are as follows:

Security Enhancements

Security is paramount in the online world, and dedicated programmers can fortify WordPress websites by using security-focused plugins. These plugins bolster website defenses through firewalls, login protection, and malware scanning, providing a safer environment for both site owners and visitors.

Best Security Plugins: Sucuri, Wordfence, Jetpack, etc.

Performance Optimization

A speedy website is crucial for retaining visitors and improving user experiences. Developers can optimize website speed by utilizing performance-focused plugins that minimize loading times and ensure smooth navigation throughout the site.

Best Performance Plugins: WP Rocket, WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache, etc.

eCommerce Functionality

With the help of specialized plugins, dedicated WordPress developers can transform a standard WordPress website into a full-fledged online store. eCommerce plugins offer features such as shopping carts, secure payment gateways, and efficient inventory management, providing customers with a seamless online shopping experience.

Best eCommerce Plugins: WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, etc.

SEO Optimization

To boost a website’s visibility on search engines, developers can employ SEO plugins. These plugins assist in optimizing content, meta tags, and other SEO elements, ensuring that the website ranks higher in relevant search results.

Best SEO Plugins: Rank Math, Yoast SEO, AIOSEO, etc.

Social Media Integration

Social media plays an indispensable role in modern online marketing. By using social media integration plugins, developers can facilitate the easy sharing of website content on various social platforms and even display live social media feeds, encouraging greater engagement with the audience.

Best Social Media Integration Plugins: Social Auto Poster, WooCommerce Social Login, etc.

Contact Forms & Lead Generation

Communication with website visitors is essential, and dedicated developers can incorporate contact form plugins to make it easier for users to reach out. Lead generation plugins can also help capture valuable user information for marketing purposes.

Best Contact Form Plugins: WPForms, Gravity Forms, Ninja Forms, etc.

Backup & Restoration 

To safeguard against potential data loss, developers can set up automated website backups using backup plugins. In case of unexpected issues, these plugins provide a straightforward restoration process, ensuring minimal disruption to the website.

Best Backup & Restoration Plugins: Duplicator, Jetpack VaultPress, BlogVault, etc.

Analytics & Tracking

Understanding website traffic and user behavior is vital for making informed decisions. Developers can integrate analytics plugins that seamlessly connect to various tracking services, providing valuable insights into user interactions with the website.

Best Analytics & Tracking Plugins: Google Analytics, MonsterInsights, etc. 

There are even some plugins that can help add ChatGPT to WordPress for writing high-quality content. Through these plugins, you can research and write AI-powered content. That will ensure better user engagement, round-the-clock availability, incredible efficiency, and more.

The WordPress Plugin Directory, an online repository, hosts thousands of free and paid plugins. But make sure you choose the best WordPress plugin according to the project requirements. Combining these specialized tools empowers developers to create dynamic, secure, and user-friendly websites that cater to their client’s unique needs and goals.

But we understand that navigating the world of plugins might seem daunting, especially if you’re new to WordPress. So in the next section, we’ll see how to install WordPress plugins to improve the website every which way.

How to Install WordPress Plugin?

Plugins are the secret ingredient that transforms an essential WordPress website into a powerful and versatile platform. Although installing WordPress plugins is a straightforward process, it is better because there are several ways to go about it. 

Method 1: Installing Plugins from the WordPress Plugin Directory

WordPress comes with a library of thousands of free and paid plugins that you can use on your website. You can access them through the Plugins section.

Step 1: Log into your WordPress dashboard using your admin credentials.

Step 2: Then, from the menu on the left, click on “Plugins,” and then select “Add New.” You’ll be directed to the WordPress Plugin Directory.

Step 3: Enter the keywords to explore plugins relevant to your needs and select the most suitable one. When you find the desired plugin, click on “Install Now” next to it.

Step 4: After the installation is complete, the “Install Now” button will change to “Activate.” Click on this button to start using the plugin on your website.

Step 5: Some plugins may require configuration or additional settings. To access the plugin’s settings, go to the left-hand menu, click on “Plugins,” and then choose “Installed Plugins.” Find the activated plugin and click on “Settings” (if available) to adjust as needed.

Although this is the most straightforward process, it won’t be helpful if you have a custom plugin. But there is a way you can successfully install custom or third-party WordPress plugins. 

Method 2: Uploading Plugins Manually

Installing the WordPress Plugins manually tends to be useful when you have acquired a plugin from a third-party source. You may also go for it if you have created a custom plugin unavailable in the WordPress repository. It involves downloading the plugin’s ZIP file to your computer and then uploading it directly to your WordPress website.

Step 1: If you’ve acquired a WordPress plugin from a third-party source, ensure it is from a reputable site. Download the plugin’s ZIP file to your computer.

Step 2: Log in to your WordPress website’s admin area.

Step 3: From the menu on the left, click on “Plugins,” and then choose “Add New.” On the top of the page, click on “Upload Plugin.”

Step 4: Click “Choose File” to select the ZIP plugin from your computer. Then, click “Install Now.”

Step 5: Once the installation is complete, click “Activate Plugin” to enable it on your website.

Additionally, remember to only upload plugins from trusted sources to safeguard your website from potential vulnerabilities.

Method 3: Installing WordPress Plugins via FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

This process comes in handy if and when you encounter issues with the regular WordPress plugin installation. Or maybe you have limited access to your WordPress admin dashboard. 

Step 1: Download the plugin ZIP file and extract its contents on your computer.

Step 2: Use an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) to connect to your website’s server using your FTP credentials.

Step 3: In the FTP client, navigate to the “wp-content/plugins/” directory of your WordPress installation. Upload the extracted plugin folder into this directory.

Step 4: Go to your WordPress dashboard, click on “Plugins,” and then choose “Installed Plugins.” Find the uploaded plugin in the list and click “Activate” to enable it on your website.

This method can be a little complicated for beginners. So we recommend you get in touch with a WordPress development company. Their experts are skilled at understanding your requirements and installing WordPress plugins accordingly.  

Congratulations! You have successfully installed WordPress plugins using different methods. Remember to keep your plugins updated regularly to ensure optimal performance and security for your WordPress website.

Best Practices for WordPress Plugins

Although plugins can help integrate some excellent features and functionalities into a website, you must follow industry best practices for the best results. Some practices can ensure the smooth functioning and security of your website. You can optimize your site’s performance, prevent conflicts, and enhance user experience.

Here are a few of the best practices to install WordPress plugins and use them properly. 

#1. Keep Plugins Updated: Regularly update your plugins to the latest versions provided by developers. Updates often include bug fixes, security patches, and new features, ensuring optimal performance and safeguarding against potential vulnerabilities.

#2. Use Reputable Plugins: Install plugins from trusted sources, such as the official WordPress Plugin Directory or reputable developers. Avoid using plugins from unknown or suspicious websites to minimize the risk of security breaches.

#3. Check Plugin Compatibility: Ensure that the plugins you install are compatible with your WordPress version and theme. Incompatible plugins can lead to conflicts, resulting in website errors or performance issues.

#4. Limit Plugin Usage: Avoid installing too many plugins, as it can negatively impact website speed and increase the risk of conflicts. Only use essential and well-maintained plugins that add value to your site.

#5. Delete Unnecessary Plugins: Deactivate and uninstall any plugins that are no longer in use. Unused plugins can still pose security risks and clutter your dashboard.

#6. Backup Your Website: Regularly back up your website to safeguard against data loss. In case of plugin-related issues, having a recent backup means you can restore your website to a working state.

#7. Test New Plugins: Before installing a new plugin on your live site, test it on a staging environment or local installation to ensure compatibility and functionality.

#8. Read Reviews and Ratings: Before installing a plugin, read user reviews and ratings to gauge its reliability and performance. Look for plugins with positive feedback and high ratings.

#9. Secure Your Plugins: Protect your plugins by setting proper file permissions and using strong passwords for your WordPress admin and FTP accounts.

#10. Use a Child Theme: If customizing your theme, create a child theme instead of modifying the parent theme directly. That ensures theme updates won’t overwrite your changes.

#11. Monitor Plugin Performance: Regularly check your website’s performance metrics, such as loading times and server resources, to identify plugins causing performance issues.

#12. Follow Plugin Guidelines: If you’re a plugin developer, adhere to WordPress Plugin Developer Guidelines to ensure your plugins meet quality standards and are safe for users.

These best practices for WordPress plugin management will help you maintain a secure, efficient, and high-performing website. Regularly review and optimize your plugin usage to ensure your site remains in top-notch condition for visitors and users.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of installing WordPress plugins is a valuable skill. It empowers website owners and WordPress programmers to unlock the full potential of their websites. Now there are thousands of free and premium plugins both in the official library and in third-party marketplaces. Plus, there is an option for you to create your own custom plugin.

So the WordPress plugin installation methods can also vary depending on your prerequisites and types of plugins (from the in-house library or third-party market). The three prominent methods are directly from the WordPress plugin directory, uploading them manually, and through an FTP client. Whether you are going for the pre-made, commercial plugins or your own custom ones, these methods will come in handy.

If you need further help installing WordPress plugins and customizing your website, contact us today!