WordPress plugins are small software programs that add additional functionality to your WordPress website.
What is WordPress Plugin
WordPress plugins are small software programs that add additional functionality to your WordPress website. They can be used to add features such as contact forms, image galleries, and SEO tools to your site, as well as to integrate with other services such as social media and email marketing platforms.
Plugins are installed and activated through the WordPress dashboard, and they can be managed and configured through the “Plugins” menu. There are thousands of WordPress plugins available, both free and premium, and they can be found in the WordPress plugin repository or on third-party websites.
It’s important to be selective about which plugins you install on your WordPress site, as some poorly-coded or poorly-maintained plugins can have negative impacts on your site’s performance and security. It’s a good idea to research and read reviews before installing a plugin, and to keep the number of plugins you use to a minimum.
Install WordPress Plugin
- Install a plugin using the WordPress plugin search:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on the “Plugins” menu in the left sidebar.
- Click the “Add New” button.
- Use the search field to find the plugin you want to install.
- Click the “Install Now” button to install the plugin.
- Once the plugin is installed, click the “Activate” button to activate it.
- Install a WordPress plugin using the WordPress plugin upload form:
- Download the plugin file to your computer.
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on the “Plugins” menu in the left sidebar.
- Click the “Add New” button.
- Click the “Upload Plugin” button.
- Choose the plugin file you downloaded in step 1, and then click the “Install Now” button.
- Once the plugin is installed, click the “Activate” button to activate it.
- Install a plugin using an FTP client:
- Download the plugin file to your computer.
- Extract the plugin file to a folder on your computer.
- Use an FTP client to connect to your website’s server.
- Navigate to the “wp-content/plugins” folder on your website’s server.
- Upload the plugin folder to the “wp-content/plugins” folder on your website’s server.
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on the “Plugins” menu in the left sidebar.
- The plugin should now be listed in the plugin list. Click the “Activate” button to activate it.
It’s important to note that not all plugins can be installed in all three ways. Some plugins may only be available for installation through the WordPress plugin search or upload form, while others may require installation via FTP.