Introduction
This will be a step by step on how to install a plugin in your WordPress site. This will not be a tutorial on how to access your WordPress site, for that please visit Carlsites WordPress: New Site Guide.
What is a Plugin?
On to the matter at hand, what are WordPress plugins? WordPress plugins are additional pieces of software that "plug into" your WordPress site to further enhance its already existing functionality. Plugins can prove to be useful if there is some sort of functionality that you wish to implement into your site that cannot already be implemented by WordPress directly. There are a wide variety of plugins which you can explore and add to your site such as:
- Security & Privacy Plugins
- Performance Plugins
- Site Backup Plugins
- Form Plugins
- Site Design Plugins
The amount of plugins available out there are endless, so I will not get into the nitty gritty of it all and stop here. But it's important to be aware of just how high and wide the possibilities are with plugins to get a good grasp of what you can and can't do with your new found CarlSite.
Installing a Plugin
To get started with installing a plugin you’ll first need to log into your WordPress site and look for where it says "Plugins" on the left sidebar.
Click on it and then click on Add New
You will then be taken to the plugins page where you'll be presented with a navigation bar to help you find, and explore plugins. The navigation bar consists of
- Featured
- Popular
- Recommended
- Favorites
- Search
You can use these tabs to browse and install plugins.
Plugin Details
Once you’ve found the plugin you were looking for it's advised to click on the More Details hyperlink rather than just installing the plugin. This hyperlink will redirect you into the plugin's general information page. This page will provide you with a navigation bar which will present you with the plugin's
- Description
- Installation
- FAQ
- Changelog
- Screenshots (Not all plugins may include screenshots)
- Reviews
Looking over the information on this page can be beneficial because it will give you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the plugin prior to downloading it. This can prove useful because you’d be able to quickly decide whether or not it will suit your interests or needs.
There's also information found on the furthest right column of the page which will provide you with more information. Some of the data in particular that you may want to take note of may be the
- Version
- Last Updated Date
- Rating
Some tabs which may be worth looking at include the description, changelog and version. The description and FAQ should cover the most questions you may have about the plugin. And the changelog/version will give you an idea of how stable the plugin may be as of the date you're viewing it.
Additional Resources
Questions?
If you have any questions or run into issues, submit a ticket and an Academic Technologist can help you.
Acknowledgement
Created by Mauricio I. Reyes Villanueva '25, 10/11/23