How to Install a WordPress Plugin for Beginners

A lot of discussions have been done on what would be the best plugins for WordPress websites. But, you cannot come this far without knowing how to install WordPress plugins, Right?

If you are developing a WordPress website for the very first time, the next few lines will lend you a hand of help. Here is a comprehensive step-by-step beginner’s guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

How to Install a WordPress Plugin?

A lot of novice users complain that many plugins are not shown in the WordPress dashboard. However, this is because WordPress has its own set of limitations. If you want to learn more about these limitations, you should learn about WordPress.org and WordPress.com. Here are the four easy and different ways of installing WordPress plugins.

• Using WordPress Admin Panel.
• Uploading Plugins into WordPress.
• Using cPanel File Manager.
• Using FTP Managers.

How to Install a WordPress Plugin Using Admin Panel?

First of all, you can install WordPress plugins using its Admin Panel. The Admin Panel comprises a search option that will let you find WordPress plugins. Indeed, this is one of the easiest ways of installing WordPress plugins. The only drawback of this method is quite evident.

The plugin you need should be found in the WordPress plugin directory. Thus, you will notice that there are very few plugins in the WordPress Admin Panel. After all, only a handful of plugins follow all WordPress guidelines and GPL regulations.

To install WordPress plugins from the Admin Panel, follow the following steps:

1. Navigate to the “Plugins” Section.
2. Click on “Add New” Button.
3. Type the Plugin Name in the “Search Box”.
4. Click on “Install Now” Button.
5. Click on “Activate” Button.

Once you open the “WordPress Plugin Directory“, you will see a list of plugins with their rating, version number, and description. You can pick the plugin that suits your requirements and select install. Conversely, a pop-up will appear, confirming if you wish to install the plugin or not.

As you click “OK” the plugin will be downloaded and installed on your WordPress site. Meanwhile, don’t forget to activate the plugin you installed. During activation, you can configure the plugin’s settings.

How to Install a WordPress Plugin Using Upload Option?

A lot of web developers tend to install plugins by uploading them into the WordPress Admin Panel. This is an interesting move that should be used when you don’t want to the plugin in your WordPress directory.

In most cases, Non-GPL and paid plugins should be uploaded into the WordPress Admin Panel. And, in order to upload the plugin, you should download it from a reliable source. Unzip the file in your local system and upload it! To upload plugins, follow the following steps:

1. Navigate to the “Plugins” Section.
2. Click on “Add New” Button.
3. Click on “Upload Plugin” Button.
4. Click on “Browse” Button.

How to Install a WordPress Plugin Using cPanel File Manager?

1. Login to Your cPanel.
2. Navigate to Files Section.
3. Click on File Manager Icon.
4. Go to the Plugins Folder “public_html/wp-content/plugins”.
5. Upload the Plugin ZIP file.
6. Right Click on The ZIP file and Choose “Extract”.
7. Go to the WordPress “Plugins” Section and Activate Your Plugin.

How to Install a WordPress Plugin Using FTP Managers?

Last but certainly not least, you can install WordPress plugins using the FTP Manager such as FileZilla. If you are not creating websites for the first time, FTP managers will help you upload plugins in a few split seconds.

1. Login to Your Site Using FTP Manager.
2. Go to the Plugins Folder “public_html/wp-content/plugins”.
3. Upload the Plugin ZIP file.
4. Right Click on The ZIP file and Choose “Extract”.
5. Go to the WordPress “Plugins” Section and Activate Your Plugin.

However, novice users consider this the least friendly method. In order to install WordPress plugins through FTP Manager, you should access your host and upload all required files. Nevertheless, the overall complexity of this method will depend on your FTP manager. Once the upload gets completed, navigate to the Plugins tab and verify if the plugin is present.

Best FTP Managers/Clients To Upload a WordPress Plugin

• FileZilla
• Cyberduck
• ForkLift
• Transmit
• WinSCP
• WS_FTP® Professional
• Commander One PRO
• Core FTP LE