Installing a WordPress plugin is one of the first things you're going to have to learn if you've just purchased or created a website.
WordPress plugins can easily and quickly extend the functionality of your new site.
While it's technically possible to have a WordPress blog up and running without even one plugin active, it's very likely that you as an administrator will need a couple of plugins to start and customize your blog.
I'm also sure that over time, the need to install new plugins will continue to increase.
That's why, as a new webmaster, you need to know the different methods to install a plugin on WordPress.
As with so many other features, the WordPress developers have tried to create a user-friendly installation method.
Quindi, anche se l’installazione di un plugin può suonarti come una cosa terrificante, permettimi di renderti la vita più facile eliminando questa tua paura.
Today I'm going to show you two easy plugin installation methods and one that's a little more advanced.
- Using the WordPress search function.
- Directly upload a plugin in .zip format to WordPress.
- Upload a plugin to WordPress via FTP (more advanced).
Before installing a plugin on WordPress, you should know that only the self-hosted version of WordPress allows the installation of new extensions.
If you don't have options for installing new plugins, you're probably using WordPress.com, or the user logged in to the admin board doesn't have the right permissions to install a plugin on WordPress.
3 Different methods of installing plugins on WordPress
To install a plugin from the official WordPress directory, you don't need to step away from the admin board.
The developers were kind enough to introduce a search box that allows you to explore all the free plugins available in the WordPress archive.
In addition, you can also read more details about each plugin and, of course, install it with 2 clicks.
Method 1: How to install a plugin on WordPress automatically
Following you will find the easiest way to install a plugin that is present in the WordPress directory.
What do you need?
Price?
Steps to install a plugin automatically on WordPress
The plugin is now installed and active. To start using it, you need to go to its settings window to configure it.
Since each plugin works differently, I can't tell you precisely where the settings of the plugin you install will appear.
Normally some plugins create their own window on the left side of the administration panel, while others create a subfolder in the "settings" window.
If you take a look in the above windows, in 90% of cases you will find what you are looking for.
Now let's move on to the other method of installing a WordPress plugin.
Method 2: How to install a plugin in .zip format on WordPress
Next, you will find the method of install a plugin in .zip format that you downloaded and/or purchased from a developer's site (or from wordpress.org).
What do you need?
Price?
Steps to install a WordPress plugin in .zip format
The plugin has now been installed correctly and is also active.
To find the window where you can configure the plugin's settings you'll have to follow the same steps I mentioned in method 1.
Method 3: How to install a plugin on wordpress via FTP
For experienced users who know how to work with the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), WordPress allows you to install plugins via a third method.
This method requires manually uploading the files to the server, and then activating the plugin through the WordPress admin panel.
These are the steps you need to follow to install a WordPress plugin via FTP:
- Scarica e installa gratuitamente FileZilla o qualsiasi altro client FTP
- Open the application and connect to your FTP server,
- Go to the WordPress folder (usually located in the "www" or "public_html" folder).
- Open the wp-content/plugins folder.
- Unzip and extract your new plugin there.
- Access the WordPress admin panel.
- Go to Plugins -> Installed Plugins.
- Search for the newly installed plugin.
- Click on the "Activate" button.
The plugin has now been installed correctly and is also active.
To find the window where you can configure the plugin's settings you'll have to follow the same steps I mentioned in method 1.
Conclusion
Come per l’installazione dei temi, anche i plugin possono essere installati su WordPress utilizzando tre differenti metodi.
While the first two are very easy to follow and allow anyone to quickly and easily install any plugin, the third requires some basic FTP knowledge.
But no matter the technique you used to install your favorite plugin, you should now have it in the list of installed plugins, from which you can manually enable or disable each of them.
Do you still have doubts about installing a WordPress plugin?
If you have any questions or anything to add to the discussion, add it in the comments.
I'll see you soon.
A hug.
