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

  • On the left-hand menu of the WordPress dashboard, click plugins and then add new
  • At the top of the plugins page type the name of the plugin you want to use in the search box
  • Once you’ve found the plugin, click the Install button, the plugin will begin to install
  • Then, click the Activate button, you will be taken to your Installed Plugins page
  • Find the plugin you just installed
  • If you need to change any settings, click the settings button under the plugin name

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.

Image of WordPress Plugins menu

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.

Image of WordPress Plugins page search box

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.

Image of WordPress Plugin Install 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.

Image of WordPress plugin install now

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.

Image of WordPress Plugin is now activated

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

Image of WordPress plugin settings button

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.

Image of Google Sitekit Plugin homepage

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.

Image of saving Google sitekit plugin

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.

Image of saving plugin file to desktop

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

Image of WordPress Dashboard

Next, go to your WordPress website dashboard.

Image of WordPress add new plugin menu

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

Image of WordPress upload plugin button

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

Image of WordPress Choose File Plugin Button

Click the Choose File button.

Image of Wndows Desktop file syetem

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

Image of WordPress install now plugin button

Then click the Install Now button.

Image of WordPress Activate Plugin button

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

Image of WordPress installed plugins page

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.

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.

  • Rank Math SEO – Helps with SEO, which can help your article rank higher in Google
  • Imagify – This plugin compresses your images as you upload them for faster page load speeds
  • Classic Editor – Use this plugin to replace the new WordPress page editor with the classic version
  • Site Kit by Google – Connects your website to Google services, like Google Analytics
  • TinyMCE Advanced – Adds even more editing features to the classic editor
  • UpdraftPlus – Backup/Restore – Backup your website data to cloud storage services
  • WP Fastest Cache – Speeds up your website by combining CSS and javascript code

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.

Image of WordPress plugi updates in dashboard

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.

Image of check all plugins to update

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.

Image of WordPress plugin update page

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.

Image of WordPress plugin updates completed page

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.

Image of installed plugins menu

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.

Image of WordPress deactivate plugin button

Click the Deactivate button

Image of WordPress delete plugin 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.

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