WordPress Beginners: Install WordPress Plugins from Dashboard

In Google Blogger we use widgets, similarly in WordPress we use Plugins for adding third party features. So as continuous of WordPress tutorial series I will explain how we can use Plugins by using WordPress Dashboard. There are 2 types of plugins available, Free Plugins and Premium Plugins. For using premium you must purchase from third party.

By using WordPress plugins we can add extra features on our blog. Suppose we want to add Google AdSense or All in one SEO features in our WordPress blog then we must use those plugins. You don’t have to code manually like Google blogger widget and its very easy to use.

There are many free plugins you will find in WordPress Plugin Directory. However you can use some premium plugins from third party sites (e.g. http://premium.wpmudev.org).

There are 2 ways we can install WordPress Plugin.

• Through WordPress Dashboard (Manual Installation)
• FTP Server (File Transfer Protocol Server) (Automatic Installation)

Today we will learn how we can install plugins through WordPress Dashboard. There are 2 ways we can install plugins through WordPress Dashboard.

• Search Method
• Upload Method

Let’s start with search method for installing WordPress plugins.

1. Search Method for Installing WordPress Plugin

For using Search method you must be little familiar with plugins because you must know the plugins name first. However you would find only free plugins that follow GPL and WordPress guidelines on directory. For using search method please follow the below steps-

Step 1 Go to WordPress Login Page  and Sign in to account

Step 2 Go to Dashboard and click on Plugins -> Add New

Step 3 Now in search box type your desired Plugins name and click on Search Plugins Button. I am searching Facebook Fan Box plugins for WordPress.

Step 4 After finishing search your desired plugins will display on search result. And then click on Install Now link for installing the plugins. But if you want to learn about the plugins then you can click on Details link.

Step 5 Finally after installation of plugins it will redirect to another page and click on Active Plugin. And now you can configure the plugin setting from  Dashboard.

2. Upload Method for Installing WordPress Plugin

Upload method is pretty easy but for using this method you must download the plugins before on your PC and then you have to proceed for upload. And if your desired plugins are premium or non GPL plugin then you have to go for this method. Just follow the below steps for installing plugins. Remember that all plugins will be in zip format.

Step 1 Go to WordPress Login Page  and Sign in to account

Step 2 Go to Dashboard and click on Plugins -> Add New

Step 3 Now click on Upload link and choose file and click on Install Now Button.

Step 5 Finally after installation of plugins it will redirect to another page and click on Active Plugin. And now you can configure the plugin setting from Dashboard.

Hope this tutorial will help you to install plugins easily. If you have any query then feel free to leave a comment below.