How To Install WordPress Plugins | Easy 2022 Action Guide

If you are familiar with WordPress then you know the importance of plugins.

They’re an integral part of any website that you’ll create on the platform.

This is why in this article, I will show you how to download and install WordPress Plugins For your website.

Download and Install WordPress Plugins Summary

How To Download And Install WordPress Plugins – In-Depth

This section will explain in detail, how to download and install plugins.

For each step, there will be a corresponding image for better illustration.

Installing WordPress plugins couldn’t be easier, and with so many to choose from, you’ll be able to add almost any feature to your website imaginable.

From your WordPress website dashboard, you will find the main side menu on the left.

Hover over the Plugins tab. Another sub-tab will open up. Then, click the Add New button.

Once you are on the plugins page, type the name of the plugin you need into the search box.

The more accurate you are with the name, the better.

Click the enter button.

If you have typed the name accurately, your plugin should be the first or second plugin displayed at the top of the page.

Click the Install Now button and the plugin will begin to install, it won’t take long.

Once the installation has been completed, you can click the blue Activate button.

After your plugin has activated you will be taken to your Installed Plugins page.

This is where all of your plugins can be deactivated, reactivated, deleted, and the settings changed.

The plugin you just installed will typically be found at the top of your plugin list.

Clicking the settings button under the plugin name will allow you to change user, data, and functionality settings to better serve your website.

Downloading and Installing WordPress Plugins Manually

The vast majority of WordPress plugins will be available to download on the WordPress plugins page.

You simply search for the desired plugin and install it directly.

However, there are some plugins you’ll want or need which will not be in the WordPress plugin database.

For this reason, you’ll need to manually download the plugin separately from a third-party website.

Just make sure that the plugin is legitimate and secure.

The first step is to visit the website that your plugin is hosted at.

For this example, I’ll be using the Site Kit by Google plugin.

This plugin, as of writing this article, is still in the beta testing stage.

Therefore, it’s not yet available on the WordPress plugin directory.

However, this plugin, in my opinion, is an absolute must.

It allows you to connect your WordPress website to critical Google services.

These services include; Google Analytics, AdSense, Google Search Console, PageSpeed Insights, and Tag Manager.

In a nutshell, these services will help track your traffic and see what visitors are searching on your site.

Go to the website that hosts the plugin you need.

Like I stated earlier, we’ll use the Google Site Kit plugin website as an example.

Once you have found the plugin link, right-click on the download link.

This link should be easy to spot and know that it links to the plugin.

After you right-click, an option window will appear.

Click the save link as… option and save the plugin’s ZIP file to your desktop for easy access.

Next, go to your WordPress website dashboard.

Then, click on the Plugins button located on the menu to the left and click add new.

Once you are on the plugins page, in the top-left corner, click on the Upload Plugin button.

Click the Choose File button.

Find the ZIP file that contains your plugin, and click the Open button.

Then click the Install Now button.

Then click activate. The plugin will be uploaded and activated.

You’ll be taken to your installed plugins page.

It’s that easy. You can click the Settings button underneath the plugin title to customize its settings.

Recommended WordPress Plugins

Now that you know how to install WordPress plugins, I’ll share a few of my favorite plugins that should be installed on every new website.

These plugins will help with SEO (Search Engine Optimization), track visitor analytics, and compress your website images.

All of these plugins have a free and paid version.

I only use the free versions of these plugins. With that said, here is my list with links on where to download.

Recommended Plugins – My Must-Have List

Keeping Plugins Up-To-Date

One of the best reasons to use WordPress is how easy it is to keep your plugins updated.

WordPress will tell you when updates are available and how many plugins need updating.

Keeping your plugins up to date is a must if you want to ensure your website stays secure and runs smoothly.

Plugins are constantly updated with new features and security fixes. Do not skip this step.

When you are in your WordPress dashboard and your plugins need an update, you will see a number within a small colored circle next to the plugins menu tab.

You will also see the same colored numbers in the top-left corner under the dashboard tab labeled Updates.

This indicates that one or more plugin updates are available and need your attention.

Click the Updates button to go to the updates menu page.

On this page, you will find all of your plugin updates as well as website theme updates.

Click each tick box next to the plugins you want to update.

Or, you can click the select all box to update all plugins at once. This is what I do and it just saves time.

Next, click the Update Plugins button to start the update process.

The plugins will update one at a time. This process usually takes only seconds to complete.

When all plugins are updated, the page will display a “success” message under each plugin that was updated.

Congratulations, you have updated your plugins and helped make your website more secure.

Deactivating and Uninstalling Plugins

Let’s face it. Plugins can come and go.

Maybe you’ll find a better alternative or WordPress builds-in features that were previously only available via a plugin.

When you no longer need a plugin and want to deactivate and uninstall follow these simple steps.

First, from your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins and then click Installed Plugins.

Then, once you’re on the installed plugins page, scroll down to find the plugin you want to deactivate and uninstall.

Click the Deactivate button

Finally, click the Delete button to get rid of the plugin permanently from your website.

After the plugin is deleted, the page will refresh and you will no longer see that plugin in the list of your installed plugins.

And you’re done, that’s all there is to it, congratulations.

My Final Thoughts

WordPress plugins should not be overlooked.

With them, you’ll be able to create and enhance any WordPress website to your liking.

Starting a WordPress website may be scary at first.

However, once you get a feel for the dashboard area and the menu system, you’ll be on your way to creating a website you can be proud of.

If you have ever been on the fence about starting a WordPress website at want to get started, then you can visit my article on how to start a blog by clicking here.

This article will take you step-by-step in the blog creation process.

You’ll learn the reasons to build a blog, how to create a blog, and how to make money from all your hard work.

With that said, thank you very much for visiting my site and taking a look at this article.

I hope to have you back again soon. Take care and have a great day.