{"id":23570,"date":"2020-02-12T08:08:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-12T14:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/?p=23570"},"modified":"2020-02-12T15:15:09","modified_gmt":"2020-02-12T21:15:09","slug":"how-install-wordpress-plugins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/how-install-wordpress-plugins\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Install WordPress Plugins"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WordPress<\/a> is an incredibly flexible platform. This flexibility is the reason it can be used to build massive sites like TechCrunch and The New Yorker, all the way down to brand new blogs with nothing more than a handful of posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WordPress is versatile and can be used to build any style of website you desire. The key to this flexibility and customization lies in your theme choice and plugin selection. Your theme sits on top of the WordPress CMS<\/a> and will provide you with your initial set of customization options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You use WordPress plugins for further customization and to add new features to your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below you\u2019ll learn about the ins and outs of WordPress plugins, and how to tell if a plugin is high-quality (and worth installing). Finally, we’ll walk you through a few different ways you can install WordPress plugins on your site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Is a WordPress Plugin?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Essentially, a plugin is a piece of software that you can add to your WordPress site. There are thousands of different plugins you can choose from. Some add new features, while others help with designing your website, adding social sharing functions, improving SEO, integrating your email list, and a lot more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plugins are written in the same code that powers WordPress, so they integrate seamlessly with your site. This makes it incredibly easy to add new features to your site without having to touch a single line of code. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are thousands of free plugins for you to choose from, and hundreds of premium plugins that can take this functionality even further. You can probably get by with a handful of free plugins, but premium plugins will usually come with additional advanced features, high-level support, and a lot more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When installing a plugin on your site, you should always ask if it\u2019s essential. By installing too many low-quality plugins, you run the risk of slowing down your site and leaving it open to security holes. We cover this more in-depth below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Find WordPress Plugins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A simple Google search of 'WordPress plugins'\u009d will give you millions of results to search through. But going through plugin overwhelm isn\u2019t fun for anyone. Instead, use the tips below to quickly find the exact kind of plugin you\u2019re looking for, every time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Use the WordPress Plugin Repository<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The WordPress plugin repository<\/a> is the holy grail of WordPress plugins. No matter what kind of plugin you\u2019re looking for you\u2019ll find it listed here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you have to do is search for the type of plugin you\u2019re looking for, and you\u2019ll have a wealth of options to choose between. For example, here are the results when we search for 'SEO'\u009d:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can also search for plugins by keyword, top downloads, ratings, and more. Keep in mind when looking for plugins here, the higher the star rating and the more websites it\u2019s installed on, the better. This means that it\u2019s currently functioning great across a high volume of sites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, don\u2019t let this be your sole metric to judge the quality of a plugin, as you might pass up some incredible plugins that are brand new. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look Through Plugin Roundups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When looking for plugins, Google can be your best friend. The key is to get specific with your search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, let\u2019s say you\u2019re a photographer who\u2019s looking for the best plugins to install on your site. Head over to Google and type in 'best WordPress plugins for photographers,'\u009d and you\u2019ll see results like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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By combing through a few search results, you\u2019ll have a handful of quality plugins you can install on your site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a more basic list, then go for popular WordPress plugins. This will help to lay a solid foundation for your site, which you can then build on with niche-specific plugins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The resources below are a great place to start:<\/p>\n\n\n\n