WordPress Plugins – What Are Plugins And How Do They Work?
If you’re looking for ways to add more functionality to your WordPress site, plugins are a great way to do it. There are plugins for just about everything, from adding social media buttons to your site to creating a custom contact form. Installing plugins is easy – just download them from the WordPress plugin repository, unzip them, and then upload them to your site’s plugin directory.
How to install and activate WordPress plugins?
Installing WordPress plugins is a very simple process. However, there are a few things you need to do before installing them.
First, you need to log into your WordPress site’s admin area. Once you are logged in, go to the “Plugins” menu and click on “Add New“.
You will then see a screen that looks like this:
If you already have a plugin (zip-file) you have purchased and downloaded from somewhere you can click the “Upload Plugin” button to upload it to your WordPress.
To install a plugin from the WordPress library, simply search for it by typing its name in the search box or browsing through the categories. Once you find the plugin you want, click on “Install Now“.
WordPress will then install the plugin and show you a message that says “Plugin installed successfully.” You will then need to activate the plugin by clicking on “Activate Plugin“.
Most plugins have their own settings pages, where you can configure them to suit your needs. And if you ever need help figuring out how a plugin works, there’s usually a help file or FAQ section that will tell you what you need to know.
How to update WordPress plugins
Updating WordPress plugins is an important part of keeping your website running smoothly. Out-of-date plugins can cause your website to crash, so it’s important to update them regularly. Most WordPress plugins have updates available every few weeks, so it’s a good idea to check for updates at least once a week.
When you update a plugin, make sure you do so in the correct order. Some plugins need other plugins to work correctly, so it’s important to update them in the right order. Otherwise, you could end up with a crashed website.
To update WordPress plugins, log into your WordPress dashboard and go to “Plugins > Installed Plugins.” You’ll see a list of all of the plugins that are installed on your website. To update a plugin, click “Update Now” next to the plugin’s name. After this WordPress will try to update the plugin automatically and give you a message “Plugin updated” once it’s done so successfully.
Why WordPress plugins are so useful and popular?
WordPress plugins are an essential part of the WordPress platform. They allow you to add features and functionality to your website that wouldn’t otherwise be available. Plus, they’re really easy to use – you simply install and activate them.
There are thousands of different WordPress plugins available, so there’s something for everyone. If you need to add a feature to your website(s), such as a contact form or social media integration, chances are there’s a WordPress plugin that can do the job.
You can find out our picks for the “Best WordPress Plugins 2024” here.
Plugins are also popular because they’re often updated with the latest features and functionality. This means that your website can stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies.
Can anyone create plugins for WordPress?
Yes, anyone can create plugins for WordPress. Plugin development is a great way to get started with coding and to learn more about how WordPress works. There are many online resources to help you get started, including the Plugin Developer Handbook and the WordPress Codex. You can also find helpful tips and tricks on the WordPress plugin forum. If you are really interested you can even get started by following our guide on “How To Create Your First WordPress Plugin“.
Difference between plugins and functions.php
The big difference between plugins and the functions.php is that plugins are not bound by your theme. Most plugins work great with almost any theme available whereas function.php is bound to your theme. This means if you change your theme you are also going to lose the custom code and functionalities it has offered.
Are WordPress Plugins safe?
Most WordPress plugins are safe and all plugins loaded from the official WordPress library have to follow strict guidelines regarding their coding. Though this does not always stop bad actors from breaking plugins or finding vulnerabilities in most cases WordPress plugins are safe. The most important thing to do to keep WordPress plugins safe and secure is to keep them updated to their latest versions.
