How To Install a Free Plugin

WordPress Plugins are composed of PHP scripts that extend the functionality of WordPress. They offer new additions to your blog that either enhance features that were already available or add otherwise unavailable new features to your site.

Plugins available via the WordPress Plugins Directory site are designed by volunteers and are usually free to the public. WordPress Plugins hosted in the WordPress Plugins Directory are considered thoroughly tested and “safe.” Remember, WordPress Plugins are the responsibility of the author and the user, and they are typically works-in-progress as WordPress grows and expands.

If you want to develop your own Plugins, there is a comprehensive list of resources at Plugin Resources.

Finding Plugins

You can find WordPress Plugins in the Administration Screens > Plugins > Add Newscreen, or directly via the WordPress Plugins Directory.

Installing Plugins

Automatic Plugin Installation

To add a WordPress Plugin using the built-in plugin installer:

1. Go to Plugins > Add New.
2. Type in the name of the WordPress Plugin or descriptive keyword, author, or tag in Search Plugins box or click a tag link below the screen.
3. Find the WordPress Plugin you wish to install.
   1. Click Details for more information about the Plugin and instructions you may wish to print or save to help setup the Plugin.
   2. Click Install Now to install the WordPress Plugin.
4. The resulting installation screen will list the installation as successful or note any problems during the install.
5. If successful, click Activate Plugin to activate it, or Return to Plugin Installer for further actions.
   

Some WordPress Plugins require more steps to customize them. The Details Read Me file should contain step-by-step instructions. After installation, this information is available on the Plugins Screen for each Plugin. If you are having problems with a WordPress Plugin, see the Troubleshooting section.

Manual Plugin Installation

There are a few cases when manually installing a WordPress Plugin is appropriate.

In that case you can also install the plugins via FTP.

What am I missing here? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it in!