WordPress has revolutionized the way websites are built, becoming a go-to platform for businesses, bloggers, and e-commerce sellers around the globe. Its popularity stems from its flexibility, ease of use, and the vast array of customization options it offers. At the heart of this customization are plugins—small yet powerful tools that can transform a basic WordPress site into anything you envision.
Plugins are the soul of a WordPress website, providing features and functionalities that go beyond the core offerings of the platform. Whether you want to add a contact form, improve your site’s SEO, or even create a full-fledged online store, there’s a plugin for that. But before you can reap the benefits of these powerful tools, you need to know how to add WordPress plugins to your site.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to add WordPress plugins in three different ways. By the end, you’ll be equipped to install plugins confidently, ensuring your site runs smoothly with the functionalities you need.
How to Install a WordPress Plugin Directly?
The easiest and most common way to add WordPress plugins is directly from your WordPress dashboard. This method is user-friendly and requires no technical knowledge, making it perfect for beginners. Let’s take a look at how you can do this step by step.
1. Log into Your WordPress Dashboard
Start by logging into your WordPress dashboard. This is the control center of your website, where you manage all the content, settings, and functionalities.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New
Once you’re in the dashboard, look for the “Plugins” option on the left-hand side menu. Hover over it, and you’ll see the “Add New” option. Click on it to proceed.
3. Search for the Plugin
In the search bar located at the top right of the page, type the name of the plugin you want to install. For example, if you’re looking to install a live chat tool, you could search for “Chaty.” WordPress will automatically display a list of plugins that match your search query.
4. Install the Plugin
Once you find the Chaty plugin or any other plugin you’re interested in, click on the “Install Now” button next to it. WordPress will download and install the plugin in a matter of seconds.
5. Activate the Plugin
After installation, you’ll see an “Activate” button. Click it to activate the plugin and start using it on your site. Without activation, the plugin won’t be functional, so don’t skip this step!
6. Configure the Plugin Settings
Most plugins will add a new menu item or an option under the “Settings” menu where you can configure the plugin according to your needs. For Chaty, you can set up how the chat widget appears, connect it to your preferred messaging platforms, and customize the colors and text.
Installing a WordPress plugin directly from the dashboard is quick and straightforward, making it a go-to method for most WordPress users. However, there are times when you might need to install a plugin manually, which we’ll cover next.
Also Read: 10 Brilliant WordPress Plugins That’ll Improve Your Website Performance
How to Manually Install a WordPress Plugin?
There are situations where you might need to install a WordPress plugin manually. This could be because the plugin is not available in the WordPress plugin directory, or you have downloaded a premium plugin from a third-party site. In such cases, you can manually upload and install the plugin using a ZIP file. Let’s see how you can do this step by step.
1. Download the Plugin ZIP File
First, you need to download the plugin’s ZIP file from the developer’s website or another source. For example, if you’re installing the My Sticky Bar plugin, head over to Premio’s official website and download the ZIP file.
2. Log into Your WordPress Dashboard
As with the direct installation method, start by logging into your WordPress dashboard.
3. Navigate to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin
Go to the “Add New” section under the “Plugins” menu. This time, instead of searching for a plugin, click on the “Upload Plugin” button at the top of the page.
4. Upload the Plugin File
Click the “Choose File” button and select the ZIP file you downloaded earlier. Once selected, click on the “Install Now” button to upload and install the plugin.
5. Activate the Plugin
After the plugin has been uploaded and installed, click on the “Activate Plugin” button to make it live on your site.
6. Configure the Plugin Settings
Just like with the direct installation method, you’ll need to configure the plugin settings. For My Sticky Bar, you can customize how the notification bar looks, set up call-to-action buttons, and determine when and where the bar should appear on your site.
Manually installing a WordPress plugin is just as straightforward as the direct method, but it gives you the flexibility to use plugins that aren’t available in the WordPress plugin repository. However, there’s another method—installing plugins via FTP—that’s useful in specific situations.
Also Read: 14 WordPress Plugins To Use To Create Killer Content
How to Install a WordPress Plugin via FTP?
Installing a WordPress plugin via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a bit more technical but is useful in scenarios where you’re unable to install plugins through the WordPress dashboard, perhaps due to server restrictions or other technical issues. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Download the Plugin ZIP File and Extract It
Just like in the manual installation method, start by downloading the plugin’s ZIP file from the official site or another source. Once downloaded, extract the ZIP file on your computer. This will create a folder containing all the plugin files.
2. Connect to Your Website via FTP
To upload the plugin files to your site, you’ll need an FTP client like FileZilla. Open your FTP client and connect to your website by entering your FTP credentials, which you can get from your web hosting provider.
3. Navigate to the WordPress Plugins Directory
Once connected, navigate to the WordPress plugins directory on your server. You can find this under `wp-content/plugins/`.
4. Upload the Plugin Folder
Now, locate the extracted plugin folder on your computer and upload it to the `wp-content/plugins/` directory on your server. This might take a few minutes, depending on the size of the plugin.
5. Activate the Plugin from the Dashboard
After the upload is complete, log into your WordPress dashboard and go to the “Plugins” section. You should see the newly uploaded plugin listed there. Click the “Activate” button to enable the plugin.
6. Configure the Plugin Settings
Finally, configure the plugin settings according to your needs. Each plugin will have its own settings page, where you can customize its functionality to suit your site.
Also Read: 5 WordPress Plugins for Boosting Brand Identity
Using FTP to install a WordPress plugin is a bit more involved than the other methods, but it’s a valuable skill to have, especially when you encounter issues that prevent you from using the dashboard. Now that you know three different methods to install plugins, let’s wrap things up.
Adding WordPress plugins is a fundamental skill that every WordPress user should master. Whether you’re installing a plugin directly from the dashboard, manually via a ZIP file, or using FTP, each method has its own set of advantages depending on the situation.
When choosing plugins, it’s essential to consider their quality and safety. Only download plugins from trusted sources like the WordPress plugin repository or reputable developers. Using poorly coded or unsafe plugins can put your site at risk, so always check reviews, ratings, and updates before installing.
As you explore the vast world of WordPress plugins, consider checking out some of Premio’s popular offerings like My Sticky Bar, Chaty, and others. These tools can enhance your website’s functionality, helping you engage visitors, increase conversions, and improve the overall user experience.
Remember, the right plugins can make all the difference in your site’s performance and success. Happy plugin hunting!
