This is one of the best and powerful features that WordPress allows to install plugins. There are more than 50000 plugins are available in the WordPress plugin directory. If you are a WordPress user, You can install WordPress plugins to enhance the performance of your site.
Basically, plugins are software which help us in many ways:
- It adds new features and functions to WordPress website.
- It boosts the performance of website.
- It add new tools to increase productivity, etc.
Features and Benefits of it will depends on the particular plugin.
There are so many plugins available and have different features and functionalities. You can add the plugins as per your requirement. You can add SEO plugin, Cache Plugin, Social Media plugin, Security Plugin, News Letter plugin, Image optimization plugin, and many more.
Let’s understand how to install and activate the plugin. Basically, there are three ways to install the plugin.
- Install WordPress Plugin from Dashboard.
- Upload custom plugin
- Install plugin vis FTP Method
Install Plugin From dashboard
To install WordPress Plugin, first log in to your site dashboard. You will see an option of plugin on the left side, move your cursor on Plugin. Now you will see the option of Add New, just click on it.
After clicking on add new, you will see plugin sections. There is a Search box on the top right side of the page.
Just put the keyword or the name of the plugin which you want to install. You can see in image that I searched the Yoast plugin. After searching, the particular plugin will appear.
There will be two options – Install Now and More Details. Ideally, you should read at least once about the plugin.
When you will click on more details, you will see the Description of the plugin and some other information. There will be a Review tab also. You can click on it and check the reviews of the plugin
And if want to install then click on Install Now button. In a few seconds of time, your plugins will be installed, an Activate button will appear. You click on Activate to get the plugin activated.
After that, you need to go to the setting section of the plugin. You do proper configuration of the plugin. So that you do not get any problem later.
Install Custom Plugin via Upload Method
If You have purchased and or downloaded a particular plugin from third-party resources, you can upload and activate it via the upload method. For this process, you just log in to your WordPress dashboard. Navigate your cursor on the plugin on the left side of the dashboard and click on Add New.
Click on the upload plugin. After clicking on the upload plugin, a new section will appear, where you will see the option of choose file. Through this tab select your plugin from your local computer.
Plugin file should be in .zip format because WordPress allows only the .zip folder to upload the plugin. After uploading, click on install.
When you install it properly then activate your plugin and do the setting from the plugin setting section.
Install Plugin via FTP Method
The third option to install the WordPress plugin is via the FTP method. In this method, you can upload your plugin through FTP software to your WordPress site. If you are a beginner, you should keep this method, your last method.
A little mistake can be risky for your site. If you are fully confident about this method and you know it well then only follow this method.
Conclusion
Installation of the plugin is very easy in WordPress. But the most important part is you should be aware that a particular plugin is really beneficial for you and not harming your site in any way.
I think, you should check below point before installing and activating any plugin.
- Your requirement: Why are going to install a particular plugin?
- Features: Does the plugin fulfill your requirements?
- Check the description and documentation of the plugin.
- Check reviews of the plugin
- Does it safe for your site?
- is it compatible with your WordPress version?
In my opinion, installing the plugin through the search method is a most easy method. I also like it very much.
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