How to Upload PDF to WordPress (Simple Guide)

Mostly, setting up in-depth blog posts and landing pages is a great way to establish yourself as an expert. But sometimes, there’s a need for additional information that can’t be squeezed in the blog without making it lengthy. In that case, a downloadable PDF could be helpful.

With that, you can offer more extensive resources like cheat sheets, in-depth guides, or case studies. The PDF can be uploaded through the media library. But how? That’s what we aim to cover in this blog.

I’ll explain how the WordPress developers upload PDFs and the benefits it can offer. Let’s begin.

Why Upload PDF Files in WordPress?

Offering PDF as downloadable content can be a great way to combat the bounce rate. Let’s look at a few key reasons to incorporate PDFs into your content strategy:

Offer Valuable Downloads

PDFs let you provide downloadable content to ensure longer engagements from the visitors. The downloadable content could be brochures, white papers, ebooks, cheat sheets, or even in-depth guides related to your niche.

Valuable resources can help you establish yourself as a proven authority on the topic. So the visitors will more likely stay on your page and access the downloadable content.

Increase User Engagement

Giving visitors something to download gives them a reason to interact with your website beyond simply reading a blog post. This can significantly improve user engagement and reduce bounce rates, a metric that tracks how many visitors leave your site after viewing only one page.

Grow Your Email List

You can leverage downloadable PDFs to build your email list. Offer the PDF in exchange for a visitor’s email address. So you can nurture leads and potentially convert them into paying customers down the line.

Repurpose Existing Content

Already have a long and informative blog post? Consider converting it into a downloadable PDF for those who prefer a more concise format. It’s a great way to repurpose existing content and extend its reach.

Improved Accessibility

Including PDFs is an excellent way to improve WordPress accessibility. It offers a consistent and universal format to be viewed on any device with a PDF reader. So your content is accessible to a wider audience, even those who might not have access to the latest software or hardware.

Offline Consumption

Unlike web pages, PDFs can be downloaded and viewed offline. So users will be able to access the information at their convenience, even without an internet connection.Overall, including PDFs in your WordPress pages and posts can be an excellent way to improve user experience and boost engagement of your website.

How to Upload a PDF to WordPress?

Uploading a PDF to your WordPress website is a simple process that can be done in just a few clicks. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Access the media library

First, log into your WordPress admin dashboard. In the sidebar on the left-hand side, you’ll see the “Media” section. It will open the WordPress Media Library. Click “Add New” to open the media upload interface.

Step 2: Upload your PDF

There are two ways to upload your PDF file:

• Drag and Drop: In this method, you directly drag the PDF file from your desktop right into the designated box within the media uploader.
• Select Files: Click the “Select Files” button and browse your computer’s files to locate the desired PDF. Select the file and click “Open” to upload it.

After selecting either of two methods, wait for a while. The upload time may vary based on the size of your PDF.

Step 3: Manage your PDF

Once uploaded, you can edit the title and description of your PDF file in the “Attachment Details” section on the right side of the screen. You can also set the featured image for the PDF, although this isn’t typically used.

Step 4: Select the link option (for embedding)

You can also embed the PDF directly in the post or page. Make sure the “Link to Media File” option is selected under “Attachment Details” -> “Attachment Display Settings”. Then the visitors can download the PDF by clicking on it within your content.

Step 5: Copy the File URL

You can create a text link to the PDF instead of embedding it. That will let you copy the file URL from the “File URL” section on the right side of the screen. This URL can be used later to link text or a button to the downloadable PDF.

Step 6: Close the Uploader

Click the “Close” button to exit the media uploader. Your PDF is now safely stored in your WordPress Media Library, ready to be used in your content.

If your PDF size is larger than permitted, increase the max upload size in WordPress according to your requirements. Then you’ll be able to upload any PDF file to the media library with ease.

You can also consult with our WordPress development experts to upload the PDF to your website. It will help enhance your content strategy and improve the user engagement.

How to Add a PDF File to Your WordPress Page?

One of the reasons WordPress is the best CMS is the Gutenberg block editor. It lets you add the PDF file (or any file for that matter) with ease. You can embed the PDF directly or link to it on an anchor text. Here’s how you do it.

Step 1: Open the page or post you want to add the PDF to.

Step 2: Click the “+” icon. and search for “File” in the Blocks section. This will open your WordPress Media Library.

Step 3: Now, locate the uploaded PDF file and select it. That will display the PDF title and a preview thumbnail.

Step 4: At this point, you can customize how the PDF is embedded. Do you want it to be displayed directly within the page content? Do you want it to be opened in the same tab or a new one? Toggle the options according to your preferences.

Step 5: After you’re happy with the configurations, click “Publish” or “Update”.

You can also link it directly into the page or post. Get the file URL from the media library and link the file to an anchor text.

WordPress development services usually go for the embedding process as the results are more user-friendly, thanks to the previews.

FAQs on Uploading PDF to WordPress

Conclusion

Uploading PDFs to WordPress ensures valuable downloads, increased user engagement, improved accessibility, and even offline consumption.

Here’s how you upload and add the PDF to WordPress:

1. Access the Media Library
2. Upload Your PDF
3. Edit your page and insert the “File” block.
4. Select your PDF from the Media Library.
5. Customize embed options (show inline embed, open in new tab).
6. Publish or Update the page.

For maximum impact, choose clear and concise titles for your PDFs. Also use categories or tags to better organize your PDFs within the media library. If you need help with these customizations on your website, consult with our WordPress professionals today!