Not sure what WordPress plugins are? Want to know how to use WordPress plugins to make your site look more professional and full of modern features?
WordPress plugins are an essential part of any modern WordPress site. There are over 55,000 WordPress plugins that can extend the functionality of your website. This extended functionality will give you more control over your website and give your website visitors a better website experience.
In this article, we will cover the basics of WordPress plugins. We will cover what WordPress plugins are, how to install them and how to use them.
By the end of this article, you will be sure to install plugins and set them up on your website. Let’s take your website to the next level and learn how to use WordPress plugins.
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What are WordPress Plugins?
Before we can explain how to install and use WordPress plugins, let’s first look at what a WordPress plugin is.
A WordPress plugin is a package of code that adds extra functionality to your WordPress site. Plugins consist of PHP code and include other assets such as images, CSS, and JavaScript.
The best part about WordPress plugins is that you don’t have to know how to code. Think of plugins as apps that give you access to new features that can be added to your existing site.
Plugins are an essential part of any WordPress website. No matter what type of site you are building, you will need to add extra features.
Currently, there are over 50,000 free WordPress plugins available on WordPress.org and thousands of free and premium plugins that you can install on your website.
You know you need to use plugins to build a professional WordPress website, but should I use free or premium plugins?
Free and premium WordPress plugins
If you can get plugins for free, why would you pay for premium plugins?
Here are the main reasons why you would want to use premium plugins over free ones.
- better and more functions
- full time support
- updated security
- WordPress version compatibility
If you’re on a budget and are just getting started with your WordPress site, free plugins are a great option. So, once you start gaining traction with your website, you can start adding paid plugins.
When you add a free plugin to your site, you’ll need to pay attention to a few details to make sure the plugin works on your site. You’ll want to see if it’s compatible with your version of WordPress, if it’s been updated recently, and what other users of the plugin are saying.
Let’s now take a look at how you can install WordPress plugins for your site.
How to install WordPress plugins
Installing WordPress plugins is quite simple.
To install a plugin, go to your WP Dashboard > Plugins > Add New. You will then see a WordPress plugin menu and search bar. In the search bar, type the name or type of plugin you want to install.
Once you find the plugin, click on the file Install now button. Once the plugin is installed, you need to activate the plugin. A Activate the button will appear where the Install now button was. Click on Activate and the plugin will be ready to use.
You can manage all the plugins you have installed from your WordPress dashboard. Click on Plugins > Plugins Installed. A menu will appear where you can view all the plugins you have installed. From this menu you can configure the plugin settings, disable the plugin or delete it.
Installing many plugins can affect the speed of your site, so be selective about which plugins you plan to use on your site.
How to use WordPress plugins
The type of plug-ins you choose to install will determine how you use them. There are no singular instructions on how to use all WordPress plugins.
Some plug-ins may run immediately upon activation and others will display a configuration screen. The more complex the plugin, the more plugin configuration you will likely need to do.
For example, a comment disabling plugin will automatically disable comments on your posts once activated. No configuration will be required.
On the other hand, if you install a paid subscription plugin, a large amount of configuration will be required. This setup could include payment options, pages you want to block, and many other subscription-related options for a website.
To view all the features you can customize for a plugin, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. Then click Settings under any of the plugins you have installed to adjust the plugin.
Find the perfect WordPress plugin
Download WordPress plugins today
WordPress plugins are required for any type of WordPress website you are building.
You can use free or premium plugins to add functionality to your site. However, premium WordPress plugins will give you the most reliable, secure, and feature-rich experience.
Using the plugins section in your WordPress dashboard, you can easily install and activate plugins.
Each plugin has its own set of customization options. Depending on how complex or simple the plugin is, additional configuration may be required upon installation.
Get started with a WordPress plugin today and take your site to the next level!
