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Like most WordPress features, the plugin system is easy and intuitive to use. WordPress offers 4 ways in which to install plugins, via their plugin management interface, uploading the zip file, manually uploading via FTP and using WP-CLI to install. In this article, we're going to show you how to do all 4 methods starting from easiest to hardest.
Important Note: if you're running a website on WordPress.com it's not possible to install a plugin manually that isn't on the plugin repository. If you have third party plugins from example, codecanyon, you will need to move to WordPress.org self-hosted systems, like what we offer with our managed WordPress hosting.
Installing a plugin can be done in just a few clicks, to streamline this process you can watch the video below.
To install any of the 55,000+ available plugins on the WordPress.org repository, simply log in to your WordPress admin area, then click on "Plugins->Add New" on the left hand menu.
You will then see a page showing featured/trending plugins, and more importantly, a search box at the top right. This is where we'll search for the plugin we wish to install.
For the purposes of this guide, we're going to go ahead and install the wpowl-manager plugin, so go ahead and type the name of the plugin you wish to install into the search box.
Once you can see the plugin you would like to install, click on the "Install Now" button and then on the "Activate" button.
Congratulations, you've now installed a plugin on your WordPress website. If you have a premium plugin, or would like to install from zip file, keep reading!
Much like installing a plugin from the repository, installing from zip file is quick and easy.
Again, we'll go to Plugins->Add New
But this time, instead of using the search box at the top right, we're going to use the button at the top left that says "Upload Plugin"
You'll then be asked to choose the file to upload, click on the button and browse your computer files to select the plugin zip file.
Click on "Install Now" and then click on "Activate"
You have now installed your plugin from a zip file.
Simmilar to installing fia ZIP file, plugins can be extracted locally and uploaded to your WordPress installation.
To get started you will need an FTP client such as Filezilla.
WP-CLI is provided on WPOwl's hosting so check your host supports it and SSH connections.
You will need a SSH Client to connect to the command line of your website, we suggest putty for windows users and terminal for macs/linux.
Your SSH connection information is usually the same as your FTP/control panel login details. With WPOwl, our SFTP details are the same as SSH details.