WordPress Plugins
WordPress has a lot of functionality built-in, but occasionally you might find a specific need that isn’t a part of the default software. To accomplish this, WordPress has a plugin architecture where developers can create plugins that add additional functionality to your site. From simple photo galleries to site statistics, to automatic Twitter and Facebook sharing of posts, there is practically a plugin for whatever you need for your blog (over 23,000 at the time of this writing). To start using and installing plugins just follow these simple instructions or watch the video tutorial below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=jl_S0DQMnXg
3. You will be given a list of all your currently installed plugins.
- From this menu you are able to activate and disable specific plugins by using either the single plugin options located under each plugin name.- Or you may use the bulk action drop down menu to simultaneously activate/disable multiple plugins by checking desired plugins
- Additionally you may also sort through installed plugins using the sorting options above the bulk action menu.
4. To install a new plugin click “Add new” either from the plugin sidebar or the main plugin menu
5. You will then be redirected to a search engine where you can search using general or specific terms to find plugins. – For example searching “photo gallery” brings up various plugins from different developers.
6. Once you find your desired plugin, click “install now,” which will automatically install the plugin and prompt you to activate it now or return to the menu. Click Activate to begin setting up the plugin.
7. After installing your plugin, be sure to visit the developers’ website if you have any additional questions about how the plugin works, as some plugins may require certain codes or other actions to be used properly. The example listed above, NextGEN Gallery, has a “Gallery Setup Wizard” and a getting started video, as well as a standalone menu item that will display after activation.
8. Some plugins will have their own settings page located under the 'Settings‘, other plugins will break out their own menu item on the left hand side of the Dashboard. The best way to understand how to use a plugin is to make sure you’ve read the documentation available on the plugin’s website as every plugin behaves differently and sometimes it won’t be explicit how the plugin interacts with your website.