How to Install a WordPress Plugin- A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners 

When you’re new to using WordPress, one of the first things you might wonder about is how to add extra features to your website. In this guide, we’ll explain how to do that in easy-to-understand terms.

It’s no doubt that plugins are one of the key components that have made WordPress even more lucrative. And, you have no space to ignore the importance of plugins. 

But first, to enjoy the advantages of these great plugins, you must make sure they’re properly set up. Let’s go through the easy steps for adding a plugin to WordPress.

Before Installing Plugins Let Me Tell You About Plugins In Case You Didn’t Know  

A WordPress plugin is a piece of software that adds new functionality or extends existing functionality on a WordPress website. There are plugins for SEO, social sharing, and security, just to name a few. 

Many WordPress plugins, including any plugin downloaded from the WordPress Plugin Directory, are free to use. There are also premium WordPress plugins available from third-party vendors. Free plugins often have the option to upgrade to a premium version that offers improved functionality. 

Since anyone can create and distribute a WordPress plugin, plugins will vary in quality. For this reason, it is important to research your options each time you want to install a new plugin and check recommendation lists and plugin reviews to check for quality.    

How to Install Plugin in WordPress: A Step-By-Step Guide

Here is how you can start with –

Step-1. Go to “Plugins” in your WordPress dashboard

Just start by going to your admin panel- http://your-domain.com/wp-admin/ and click on “Plugins” in the sidebar menu:

Step-2. Click on “Add New”

Next to the “Add New” button. You will find this button near the top of the page.

Step-3. Find your plugin via search

What you will see next is a page that shows you a short list of featured/recommended plugins,  and a handy search field on the right is the one we are going to use. Input the name of the plugin that you want to install in that search field. In this case, we will install Akismet. 

Step-4. Install your plugin

Once you see the plugin you were looking for on the list, all you need to do now is click on the “Install Now” button. When you do that, WordPress is going to fetch the plugin and have it installed on your site. It works much like installing a new app on your phone. 

Step-5. Activate the plugin

There’s one final step. When the installation is complete, click on the “Activate Plugin” link that has just appeared:

It is done. The plugin has already been activated. Now, you can enjoy the plugin on your website. 

End Notes

In simple terms, it’s clear that installing a WordPress plugin is an easy job, even if you do a bit of research and get ready. So, don’t stress about how to add a plugin in WordPress. We think everything is ready. Just give it a try at home and make it work.

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