How to Install WordPress Plugins - 5 Different Methods

Install WordPress Plugins: Millions of websites and blogs are powered by WordPress, the most widely used content management system (CMS) in existence. 

Its broad acceptance can be attributed, in part, to the multitude of plugins that make it possible for users to alter and improve their websites. 

Plugins are the foundation of WordPress's versatility, offering everything from SEO tools to e-commerce solutions and performance optimization. 

We will discuss five various ways to install WordPress plugins in this article, so that users whether novices or seasoned WordPress experts can easily utilize the entire spectrum of plugin features.

Installing Plugins via the WordPress Plugin Directory

The WordPress Plugin Directory is a treasure trove of free and vetted plugins that can extend your website's functionality. 

Here's how to install a plugin directly from the directory:

1. Login to Your WordPress Dashboard: To begin, log in to your WordPress website's admin panel. You can do this by adding "/wp-admin" to your website's URL and entering your credentials.                                                                                                                                                      
2. Navigate to the Plugin Section: After logging in, click on "Plugins" in the left-hand sidebar. You'll see options like "Installed Plugins," "Add New," and "Editor." Click on "Add New."                                                                                                                                                       
3. Search for Your Desired Plugin: In the "Add Plugins" page, you can use the search bar to look for plugins. You can type keywords or the plugin's name to find it quickly. Once you've found the plugin you want to install, click on the "Install Now" button.                                       
4. Activate the Plugin: After the installation is complete, the "Install Now" button will change to "Activate." Click on it to activate the plugin.                                                                            
5. Configure the Plugin: Many plugins require configuration after activation. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the plugin according to your needs.

For the majority of users, this strategy works well since it provides quick access to a large number of plugins. Additionally, the directory guarantees that the plugins are safe and updated frequently.

Uploading a Plugin Zip File

What if you have a premium or custom plugin that you've obtained as a ZIP file? No worries, you can still easily install it on your WordPress site:

1. Log In to Your Dashboard: Start by logging in to your WordPress admin dashboard.                 
2. Access the Plugin Section: Navigate to the "Plugins" section as mentioned earlier.                       
3. Click on "Add New": From the "Add Plugins" page, instead of searching, click on the "Upload Plugin" button located at the top of the page.                                                                     
4. Upload the Plugin Zip File: Click the "Choose File" button, select the plugin ZIP file from your local computer, and click "Install Now."                                                                                    
5. Activate the Plugin: Once the upload is complete, click on the "Activate Plugin" link to make the plugin active on your site.                                                                                                           
6. Configure the Plugin: As with the previous method, follow any necessary setup instructions for the plugin.

Installing premium and custom plugins that you get from places other than the official WordPress Plugin Directory is made a lot easier using this method.

Installing Plugins via FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

Sometimes, your hosting environment may have restrictions or issues that prevent you from using the previous methods. 

In such cases, you can rely on FTP to install plugins manually:

1. Obtain an FTP Client: You'll need an FTP client to connect to your web server. Popular choices include FileZilla, Cyberduck, and WinSCP. Download and install one of these clients on your computer.                                                                                                                   
2. Access Your Website's Server: Open your FTP client and connect to your web server using your FTP login credentials. You should have received these credentials from your hosting provider.                                                                                                                                     
3. Locate Your WordPress Directory: Once connected, navigate to the directory where your WordPress is installed. This directory is often named "public_html" or "www."                                     
4. Access the Plugins Folder: Within your WordPress directory, go to "wp-content" and then "plugins." This is where your plugins are stored.                                                                                
5. Upload the Plugin: On your local computer, extract the plugin ZIP file. Then, upload the entire plugin folder to the "plugins" directory on your server.                                                            
6. Activate the Plugin: Once the upload is complete, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard, go to the "Plugins" section, and activate the newly uploaded plugin.

Although this approach may appear more complex, it's a useful one in situations where other approaches fall short or when you have numerous websites to maintain plugins for.

Installing Plugins via WP-CLI (Command Line)

If you're comfortable with the command line and have WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface) installed on your server, you can install plugins with ease:

1. Connect to Your Server via SSH: Open your terminal or command prompt and connect to your web server using SSH.                                                                                                        
2. Navigate to Your WordPress Directory: Use the "cd" command to navigate to the directory where your WordPress is installed.                                                                                         
3. Install the Plugin: To install a plugin, use the WP-CLI command: wp plugin install plugin-name. Replace "plugin-name" with the actual name of the plugin you want to install.                                                                                                                                                                   
4. Activate the Plugin: After the installation is complete, activate the plugin using the command: wp plugin activate plugin-name.

Developers and system administrators that enjoy using the command line are partial to this strategy. 

It provides a great level of automation and control over WordPress plugin management.

Installing Plugins via cPanel (for Some Hosting Providers)

Some hosting companies give an easy option to install WordPress plugins straight from your hosting control panel, which is commonly known as cPanel. 

Here's how it's done:

1. Log in to Your cPanel: Access your hosting control panel (cPanel) using the login credentials provided by your hosting provider.                                                                                
2. Locate the "File Manager" Section: In your cPanel, navigate to the "File Manager" section. This section allows you to manage files and directories on your server.                                         
3. Navigate to Your WordPress Directory: From the File Manager, navigate to the directory where your WordPress is installed. This is usually the "public_html" or "www" directory.                                                                                                                                        
4. Access the "wp-content" Directory: In the WordPress directory, locate and open the "wp-content" directory.                                                                                                                                
5. Enter the "Plugins" Directory: Within "wp-content," you'll find a directory called "plugins." Open it to access the plugins directory.                                                                                    
6. Upload the Plugin: Click on the "Upload" button in the File Manager, and select the plugin ZIP file from your local computer to upload it to the "plugins" directory.                                                
7. Activate the Plugin: After the upload is complete, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard, go to the "Plugins" section, and activate the newly uploaded plugin.

This method is convenient for users who have hosting providers that offer cPanel access, as it streamlines the installation process.

Adding more functionality and personalizing your website to suit your needs requires WordPress plugins. Now that you know five different ways to install WordPress plugins, you can install them regardless of your level of experience as a developer. 

Select the approach that best meets your needs and delve into the wide world of WordPress plugins to maximize functionality, fulfill your unique objectives, and improve your website's capabilities.

ALSO, VISIT HERE: How do I add social media icons to my email signature?