How to install a WordPress plugin?

WordPress is known for its plugins. But, new WordPress users don’t know how to install a WordPress plugin and where to download it? In this post, I will give you a detailed explanation of the WordPress plugin and its installation.

What is a plugin?

In WordPress, plugins are just an extension of the functions already available in WordPress. There are thousands of plugins available online for WordPress. They include premium and free versions. When I said premium version doesn’t think about the expense. Almost all the required features can be obtained in free versions itself.

WordPress plugin installation:

If you haven’t installed WordPress yet, then you will have to read the following post before reading this tutorial:

• How to install WordPress?

There are two methods for installing WordPress plugin. They are:

1. Direct installation in the WordPress dashboard.
2. Upload plugin.

Let me explain to you both the methods. In this tutorial, I will explain this tutorial with Yoast SEO plugin.

1) Direct installation in WordPress dashboard:

In your WordPress dashboard, Go to Plugins-> Add new. Now, in the Add plugins page, search for the plugin you need. In this tutorial, I have searched for the Yoast SEO plugin.

You will see a list of results for your search. Now, find the above-mentioned snippet in the list of results and click Install Now.

Once, the plugin is installed you will see a success message like the above one. Now, click the Activate plugin button. This is one method of plugin installation.

2) Upload Plugin:

You can upload plugin in many other ways to your WordPress site. The number of ways to upload plugins depends on upon your hosting service. In this tutorial, I will explain to you two ways to upload plugin. One is with WordPress and the other one with cPanel.

a) Upload plugin in WordPress dashboard:

You can download the Yoast SEO plugin in WordPress.org website. The downloaded file will be available in the .zip format.

Once, you download the plugin, in your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins -> Add new . In the add, new page, click Upload plugin.

Now, you will have chosen the .zip file, which you downloaded in the WordPress.org website.

Once you selected the .zip file, you will have to click the Install Now button.  Your plugin will be installed and you will have to activate the plugin.

This method has one disadvantage. Your WordPress upload has maximum file size limit. If the plugin which you have in .zip format is more in size than the limit, then you cannot use this method.

b) Upload plugin in cPanel:

Go to your cPanel. In your cPanel go to wp-content -> plugins. On this page, click Upload.

Now, locate the .zip file that you downloaded on the upload page that comes next.

Once you have uploaded, go back to the plugins page in cPanel and extract the .zip file that you have downloaded.

That’s it, the plugin has been installed. Now, you can delete the .zip file in the cPanel to avoid the space being used unnecessarily. This method will allow you to upload the plugin of any size irrespective of WordPress size limit.

Any other method?

If you know any other effective method, let me know in the comments section. I would love to hear your ideas.

And don’t forget to add this pin to your Pinterest Board.

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