There are 3 ways to install plugins, listed below.


1. Search WP Plugin Directory and Auto-Install

A less-manual way to install plugins is to search the WP WordPress Directory through the Plugins Screen in the WP admin area.

  1. Access the Plugins Screen – hover over Plugins, then click Add New. On this screen you can find plugins in several different ways.
  2. You can use the search box in the middle, search by Featured, Popular, Newest or Favorites (diagram), or click on one of the popular tags at the bottom. This will bring up a list of search results and you can read the plugin details and install it if you choose.
  3. To actually install the plugin, click Details under the plugin name.
  4. Click the blue Install Now button on the right. The plugin will install immediately.
  5. Click Activate Now. After activation, you will be redirected to the Installed Plugins list.


2. Upload Plugin via the WP Plugins Screen (manual)

To install a plugin that you have downloaded, visit the Plugins Screen. You can access the Plugins Screen from the left sidebar menu. (diagram).

  1. Hover over Plugins and click Add New.
  2. Click Upload.
  3. Click Choose File. A window will pop up.
  4. Locate the plugin on your computer. Click Open.
  5. Click Install Now. After installation is complete, activate the plugin.
  6. Click Activate Now. After activation, you will be redirected to the Installed Plugins list.


3. Upload Plugin to Plugin Directory Via FTP (manual)

If you have experience and access to your hosting server (where your files are stored), you can upload a downloaded plugin into the plugins directory. The directory is located here: /site root/wordpress directory/wp-content/plugins.

 

  • Site root represents the root directory of your website.
  • WordPress directory represents the directory of your WordPress installation.
  • After you have uploaded the plugin to the plugins directory, you will then need to activate it in the WP admin area.

ACTIVATE THE PLUGIN

  1. Visit the Plugins Screen. Hover over Plugins, then click Installed Plugins.
  2. From that list, find the plugin that you uploaded to the server. They are organized alphabetically.
  3. Under the name of the plugin, click Activate.