If you want to extend the functionality of your website, the easiest way is to install a WordPress plugin.

Plugins allow you to add powerful features like SEO optimization, security enhancements, contact forms, and much more without writing a single line of code. But for beginners, installing plugins might seem confusing at first.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some simple ways to install a WordPress plugin directly from the WordPress dashboard.

This step-by-step tutorial will help you start quickly, whether installing free or premium plugins.

Let’s dive in!

Understanding WordPress Plugin Basics

Did you know there are over 59,000 plugins in WordPress? That’s a lot! But don’t worry, you don’t need all of them.

Plugins are small additions that you can add to WordPress to give it new features. Want to make your website load faster? There’s a plugin for that. Want to add a contact form? There’s a plugin for that, too!

WordPress has essential tools, but plugins allow you to customize your site to your specifications.

Plugins can do so many cool things! Here are some fun examples:

SEO plugins (like Yoast SEO) help people find your website when they search online.
Security plugins (like Wordfence) stop hackers from breaking in.
Speed plugins (like WP Rocket) help your website load quickly so visitors don’t leave.
E-commerce plugins (like WooCommerce) help you sell products or services.
Contact form plugins (like WPForms) let visitors send you messages easily.

There’s a plugin for almost anything you can think of. You just have to pick the right ones!

Besides, there are free and paid (premium) plugins for WordPress.

Which one to pick?

If you just started your website, free plugins are a great choice.
If you run a business or need more features, paid plugins are worth it.

Many plugins offer a free version and a paid upgrade so that you can try them first!

Choosing the Right Plugin

How do you know which one to pick among the plethora of plugins in WordPress? Some plugins are excellent, while others can slow down your site or cause problems.

Let’s learn how to choose the best plugin for your website!

The first thing to do is ask yourself questions before choosing a plugin.

Is it helpful for my website? – Don’t install plugins you don’t need. Too many can slow down your site.
Is it easy to use? – Check if the plugin has simple settings and a clear guide.
Does it work with my WordPress version? – Some plugins stop working if they are too old.
Are other people happy with it? – Read the reviews and see what other users say.
Does it slow down websites? – Some plugins make websites load slowly. If you install a plugin and your site becomes slow, it may not be a good choice.

Moreover, plugins need regular updates to stay safe and work well. When a plugin is updated, it:

Fix bugs
Improves security
Add new features

How to check for updates:

You can check it from the official plugin repository of WordPress.org. Look at the Last Updated section. If it hasn’t been updated in over six months, it might not be safe to use.

Good plugins also have great support! If something goes wrong, you can ask the plugin maker for help.

How to Install a WordPress Plugin in 2025

Method 1: Installing Free Plugin via WordPress Dashboard

If you want to install a free plugin from the WordPress plugin directory, you can do so easily through your WordPress dashboard.

First, enter your WordPress admin area by entering your website’s login URL.

Once logged in, you’ll be taken to the WordPress dashboard to manage your website’s content and settings.

On the left sidebar of your dashboard, you’ll find various menu options such as Posts, Pages, Media, Comments, etc. Scroll down to locate the Plugins menu just below the Appearance section.

Click on Plugins, and then select Add New at the top of the page.

Alternatively, you can hover over the Plugins menu, and a dropdown will appear with 2 options:

Installed Plugins
Add New Plugin

Click on Add New Plugin to proceed.

Once you’re on the plugin installation page, you’ll see a search bar on the right side of the screen.

If you know the plugin name you want to install, type it into the search bar. For this guide, let’s install the Yoast SEO plugin.

Click the Install Now button next to the plugin. Wait a few seconds for the installation to complete. Then click the Activate button to enable the plugin on your site.

Once activated, the plugin will be added to your list of installed plugins. Some plugins start working immediately, while others require additional configuration.

Method 2: Installing a Plugin Manually (ZIP Upload)

The upload method allows you to install free and premium WordPress plugins manually. This is useful when:

You’ve purchased a premium plugin from marketplaces like CodeCanyon, Elegant Themes, or another plugin store.
You’ve developed a custom plugin or received one from a developer.
You’ve downloaded a free plugin from WordPress.org but prefer to install it manually.

If you already have the plugin file on your local computer, follow these steps to install it via the upload method.

To upload a plugin manually, you need the plugin file in .zip format.

You can download the ZIP file from the plugin provider’s website’s “Your Account” section if it’s a premium plugin.
If it’s a free plugin from WordPress.org, download it from the respective plugin page.
If your plugin folder isn’t in .zip format, compress it before proceeding.

Once you have the ZIP file, you’re ready to upload it to WordPress.

Log into your WordPress dashboard. From the left sidebar, go to Plugins > Add New Plugin. At the top of the page, click the Upload Plugin button. Now, click Choose File and select the plugin .zip file from your computer. After that, click Install Now to begin the installation.

Wait a few seconds for WordPress to upload and install the plugin.

Once done, you’ll see a “Plugin Activated” message confirming successful activation.

That’s it! You’ve successfully installed a WordPress plugin using the manual upload method.

Method 3: Using FTP to Upload a Plugin

If you cannot install a plugin using the WordPress dashboard, you can manually upload it via FTP (File Transfer Protocol). FTP lets you directly access your website files and make changes without logging into your WordPress admin panel.

This method is slightly more technical but functional if other installation methods fail. Follow these steps to install a WordPress plugin via FTP.

First, download the plugin ZIP file from WordPress.org or a third-party marketplace. Once downloaded, extract the ZIP file using Windows or macOS’ built-in tools (or a third-party tool like WinRAR or 7-Zip).

You need an FTP client like FileZilla or Total Commander to upload the plugin. Open FileZilla and enter your FTP credentials (host, username, password).

Click Quick Connect to establish a connection.

Once connected, you’ll see: