How to install WordPress plugin?

After installing WordPress, the first thing to learn each fresher is how to install WordPress plugin. Plugins allow you to add some advanced and new features to WordPress, like gallery, slideshow, testimonial etc. There are unlimited of free and paid plugins available for WordPress. We will describe you how to install WordPress plugin.

Step by step guide how to Install WordPress Plugin

To make it simple, we have created a video tutorial on how to install WordPress plugin that you can see below.

You may also read our tutorial how to install WordPress by using software and also manually.

But, if you like to follow only the text-instructions, you can follow the step by step tutorial on how to install WordPress plugin.

Installation methods:

  1. Installing WordPress Plugins by Using Search
  2. Install Plugin by Using Plugin Upload
  3. Manually Installing WordPress Plugin Using FTP.

Installing WordPress Plugins by Using Search

The simple and easiest method to install WordPress plugin is to use the plugin search. It is must to available in the WordPress plugin directory.

For this, you need go to your WordPress admin area and click on Plugins » Add New.

Search plugin

After the typing the plugin name on plugin search bar, you will see number of plugins list available. You can choose the plugin which is best for you. You can click on the ‘Install Now’ button to install the plugin. WordPress will now automatically download and install the plugin for you. After the success message you can activate the plugin or return to the plugin installer. After the WordPress plugin activation configure the plugin settings.

Activate plugin

You may also see our tutorial should you Install a plugin that was not tested with WordPress version.

Install Plugin by Using Plugin Upload

First all of you know that paid WordPress plugins are not listed in the WordPress plugin directory. Paid plugins cannot be installed by using the first method.

This is the reason that WordPress has the upload method to install such plugins. We will mention you how to install WordPress plugins using the Upload option in the admin area.

You need to download the plugin from the source (which will be a zip file). After this, you have to go to the WordPress Admin Area and go to Plugins »Add New Page

Upload plugin

Click the Upload Plugin button at the top of the page.

This will show you to the plugin upload page. Here you have to click the Choose File button and select the downloaded plugin file on your computer.

Choose-plugin-to-install

Selected the plugin zip file, then you need to click on the install now button.

WordPress will now automatically upload the plugin file from your computer and install it for you. After the success message the installation is finished. You need to activate the plugin and configure the plugin settings to fit your needs.

Activate WordPress plugin

Install WordPress Plugin Manually by Using FTP

In some cases, your WordPress hosting provider may have file restrictions or limitation on file size that could limit your ability to install a plugin from the admin area.

In this situation, you can install WordPress plugin manually using FTP.

First of all, you will need to download the plugin (this will be a zip file). After this, you need to extract the zip file on your computer.

You will need to reach your host via FTP Manager. If you do not have your FTP credentials, contact your hosting provider and ask them.

Connect to your website by using FTP Client credentials provided by your web host. Once connected, you can specify path:
/wp-content/plugins/

Upload plugin via FTP

Next, upload the extracted folder from the zip file to your web server on the path:
/wp-content/plugins/

After complete uploading the files, you will have to go to the WordPress admin area and click the plugins link in the admin menu. You will see your plugin installed on the plugin page successfully.

activate installed plugin

You will have to click the active link below the installed plugin. On activation, you need to configure plugin settings.

We hope this will help you learn how to install WordPress plugin. You can also see our article on “will Inactivate Plugins Slow Down WordPress Website?”