The Ultimate Guide on How To Install WordPress Plugins Like a Pro

The Ultimate Guide on How To Install WordPress Plugins Like a Pro

It shouldn’t surprise anyone when we say that WordPress is a powerful tool for creating websites. In fact, some of the world’s biggest brands, like Walt Disney, CNN, The New York Times, The Rolling Stones, and Microsoft, built their pages on the back of WordPress. 

With the right combination of WordPress plugins, you can expand the power and scope of the website builder. 

For example, installing Elementor can enhance the WordPress user experience. Things like adding photos change from a navigational nightmare into a drag-and-drop task. 

In this article, we’ll guide you through the ins and outs of how to install WordPress plugins. We’ll break down the basic installation process and explain the advanced setup, like manual FTP upload. We’ll also address some of your frequently asked questions about WordPress plugins. 

What are WordPress plugins and why do you need them? 

If WordPress is the foundation of your site, plugins are the tools that help you build exactly what you need. 

Plugins are like mini-apps for your WordPress site, each designed to add specific features and enhance your website’s capabilities. Want to improve your website’s visibility in search engines? A plugin like Yoast SEO can fine-tune everything from keywords to sitemaps. Looking to sell products online? WooCommerce turns your site into a fully operational online store. And if you want to create stunning pages without coding, Elementor makes it as simple as drag and drop. 

In short, plugins expand what WordPress can do, turning a basic site into one that fits your exact needs. 

Plugin compatibility differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org 

Before you install plugins, you need to know the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org plugin compatibility. Depending on your WordPress domain, you might have plugin restrictions. Here’s what you need to know about installing plugins on the different WordPress websites. 

WordPress.com 

  • Plugin access. Available only on the Business plan and higher. 
  • Third-party plugins. You can install third-party and custom plugins with these premium plans. 
  • Managed hosting. WordPress.com optimizes plugins for security and performance, handling updates and compatibility for you. 
  • Limited customization. While offering flexibility, the managed environment imposes some restrictions compared to self-hosting. 

WordPress.org 

  • Unlimited plugin installation. Install any plugin from the official repository or third-party sources without restrictions. 
  • Full control. Customize and modify plugin code to tailor functionality to your specific needs. 
  • Self-hosted flexibility. Choose your own hosting provider and configure server settings to support resource-intensive plugins. 
  • No subscription tiers. Enjoy complete freedom to expand your site’s capabilities without being limited by plan levels. 

Choosing between the two depends on your need for flexibility versus the convenience of a managed environment. WordPress.org is ideal if you want maximum control and the ability to use a wide range of plugins, while WordPress.com is better suited if you prefer a managed solution and are willing to upgrade to access plugin features. 

Step-by-step guide to install WordPress plugins 

There are three ways to install WordPress plugins on your platform: 

  • Installing plugins through the dashboard 
  • Extracting plugins from a .zip file 
  • Manually installing via FTP 

Below, we’ll guide you through the process for each. 

Install plugins through the WordPress dashboard 

The first method of installing plugins is the simplest and requires the least workarounds. 

  1. Access your website’s admin panel. 
  1. Input your login credentials in the admin login screen. 

WordPress login screen 

  1. On the left side of your WordPress dashboard, click Plugins, then select Add New in the drop-down menu. 

WordPress Dashboard 

  1. On the Add Plugins page, use the search bar to browse popular, featured, and recommended plugins. 

Add Plugins Page 

  1. After selecting a plugin, click Install Now.  
  1.  After the installation finishes, click Activate to use your plugin. 

Add custom and premium plugins from a .zip file 

You can also manually add plugins to your WordPress platform using .zip files from an external source. 

  1. Download your plugin from the official WordPress plugin repository or a trusted source. 
  1. Locate the .zip file in your Downloads folder. 
  1. Log in to your website’s admin page using your username and password. 
  1. From the Plugins drop-down menu, choose Add New. 
  1. Select the Upload Plugin button on the right side of the Add Plugins header. 
  1. Either drag the file to the new prompt box or navigate to the Downloads folder directory and select the .zip file. 
  1. After the file finishes unpacking and installing, click Activate to start using the plugin.  

Manually upload via FTP upload for advanced users 

The last method is more complicated than the previous two. Still, it comes with the benefit of having more control over the files in your server, faster installation for larger plugins, and access to custom plugins not found in the WordPress repository. 

  1. Download your desired plugin, which will be a .zip file. 
  1. Extract and unzip the file and save the contents in a folder. 
  1. Create your FTP credentials by clicking the Hosting section of the WordPress dashboard. 
  1. Choose Overview from the drop-down menu. 
  1. Click the Server Settings tab and locate the Create Credentials button, which you can find under the SFTP/SSH Credentials section. 
  1. Open your preferred FTP client, such as FileZilla. 
  1. Navigate to the FileZilla File Menu and select Site Manager. 
  1. Click the New Site button. 
  1. Change the protocol field to SFTP. 
  1. Enter the credentials you created in Step 5: URL, Port Number, Username, and Password and click Connect. 
  1. After establishing a connection to your WordPress server, access the WordPress install directory, which you can find in the public_html root folder. 
  1. Find and select the wp-content folder then go to the plugins folder within. 
  1. Drag and drop the folder you extracted in Step 2 into the plugins folder. 
  1. Wait for the upload to complete then terminate the FTP connection. 
  1. Access your website’s WordPress admin page and select Plugins in the WordPress dashboard. 
  1. Click Activate on the plugin you installed. 

Practical tips for plugin setup and activation 

Enhancing your WordPress site with plugins will boost its functionality, but it’s essential to properly configure and activate them to ensure optimal performance and security. Here are some tips to guide you through the process: 

  • Choose reliable plugins. Look for plugins with high ratings, positive reviews, and a record of regular updates. These are signs of a solid, trustworthy option. Don’t forget to check compatibility, too. Make sure the plugin works seamlessly with your current version of WordPress and any other plugins you’ve installed. 
  • Back up your site. Always create a backup before adding or updating plugins. This way, if something goes wrong, you’ll have a copy of your website to restore and get things back to normal quickly. 
  • Install plugins strategically. Only add plugins that are truly necessary for your site’s functionality—too many can slow things down and increase security risks. It’s better to keep it simple and streamlined. Also, test any new plugins in a staging environment before adding them to your live site. This lets you catch any problems early without affecting your visitors’ experience. 
  • Configure plugin settings carefully. Take the time to configure your plugin settings. Start by reading the documentation or setup guide to understand how the plugin works and what options it offers. Then, customize the settings to match your website’s specific needs to ensure you’re getting the most out of the plugin. Be selective with features, too. Most plugins come with a variety of options, but it’s best to enable only the ones you need. 
  • Ensure security and performance. Keep your plugins secure and efficient by updating them regularly for the latest features and security patches. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to monitor how plugins impact your site’s speed and replace any that slow it down. Also, restrict plugin settings access to trusted users to prevent unauthorized changes. 
  • Test after activation. After activating a plugin, test it to make sure it works as expected. Keep an eye on your site for any unusual behavior or errors that could signal conflicts with other plugins or themes. 
  • Maintain and optimize. Regularly audit your plugins to make sure they’re still needed and working properly, and revisit plugin settings from time to time to optimize performance and keep everything running smoothly. 

Are premium WordPress plugins better than free plugins? 

While browsing the plugin repository for features to add to your website, you might have encountered free plugins that share functionality with premium counterparts. Why choose a paid plugin over a free one, then? 

Premium plugins usually provide more robust features than their free counterparts. For instance, you can expect premium plugins to come with: 

  • Exclusive service. Premium plugins have advanced tools like optimized SEO functions, increased design options, and better integration capabilities (CRM, payment gateways, etc.). 
  • Frequent updates. The paid tools are frequently updated to improve performance. 
  • Enhanced support. Compared to free options, premium plugins will include dedicated support to ensure everything runs smoothly. 

On the other hand, free plugins come with their share of benefits. 

  • No cost. You can access essential features without paying a dime. 
  • Ease of use. With simpler features, free plugins are often easier to use compared to the more complex premium options. 
  • Less compatibility issues. With fewer advanced features, you’ll reduce the risk of introducing conflicts with other plugins. 

Both free and premium plugins come with their share of pros and cons. Regardless, both types will enhance your WordPress experience and help you create a better website. 

Why security plugins are essential for your website’s protection 

A website acts as your calling card, billboard, and gateway to your customers. However, it also can act as a backdoor for malicious actors. Hackers could breach your website to steal secure information like employee details, sales reports, and customer information. 

So, installing security plugins on your website is critical to safeguard against security breaches or bypass hacking attempts. You should consider installing security plugins such as: 

When choosing which security plugins to include, you should consider the following factors: 

  • Cost. Consider the features vs. the price of a plugin and if it suits your budget. 
  • Features. The tools that come included in the plugin. 
  • User-friendly. How easy it is to install, use, and access all the plugin’s features. 
  • Performance. Whether the plugin will negatively affect the browsing experience of your website. 
  • Support. The overall customer support experience of the plugin and if it receives frequent updates. 

Incorporating security plugins into your website will provide peace of mind and protect you and your customers against malicious actors that target sensitive information. 

Install WordPress plugins to take your site to the next level 

Plugins are the building blocks that extend the capabilities of your WordPress website. Whether you want to add contact forms, optimize your site for search engines, or create a stunning gallery, there’s a plugin out there for you. By following the step-by-step guide in the article, you can easily install plugins using the WordPress Plugin Search, upload .zip files, or even explore advanced methods like FTP (for tech-savvy users). 

Here at Domain.com, we’re dedicated to supporting you on your WordPress journey.  

Check out the Domain.com blog to find more insights on your WordPress needs. You can also visit our support section if you need help regarding your WordPress plugins. 

FAQs 

Where can I find WordPress plugins? 

You can find most plugins in the WordPress Plugin Repository. Alternatively, you can check out plugin marketplaces like Envato Market or the MOJO Marketplace. 

How many plugins should I install? 

As many as you want, as long as you take note of your website performance. The more plugins you install, the likelihood of causing performance issues increases, like crashes or slow loading. Also, remember to check whether plugins are compatible to avoid creating more issues. 

How do I update my plugins? 

Visit your WordPress dashboard and click the Update section. You’ll see a notification in this section if any of your plugins have an update. 

Leandro Chan
Leandro Chan

Leandro is a writer with a myriad of different interests. Usually you can find him enjoying video game, watching anime, and browsing the web for the latest tech news. Building and crafting is another thing that interests him, in fact, he probably wrote this very article on the PC he built himself!

My articles
Leandro Chan
Leandro Chan

Leandro is a writer with a myriad of different interests. Usually you can find him enjoying video game, watching anime, and browsing the web for the latest tech news. Building and crafting is another thing that interests him, in fact, he probably wrote this very article on the PC he built himself!

My articles