Think of WordPress plugins as the superpowers for your website!
After you set up WordPress, you’ll want to start adding cool features. That’s where plugins come in. They’re like little apps that give your website new abilities. Want a contact form so people can reach you? Need a fancy image gallery? Maybe even a whole online store? There’s a plugin for that!
The best part? There are tons of plugins out there, many of them free. Let’s learn how to install one – it’s super easy!
Important Note Before We Begin
If you have a website on WordPress.com, you won’t be able to install plugins right away. Sometimes people can’t find the plugins menu in their dashboard – that’s because WordPress.com has some limits on what you can add.
To install plugins, you’ll need to either upgrade to their Business plan or consider switching to a self-hosted WordPress.org website (where you have full control). If you’d like to make the switch, we have a guide to help you move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.
Okay, ready to install a plugin?
How to Install a WordPress Plugin
We’ve got a simple step-by-step guide on how to install WordPress plugins. We show you all the ways to do it: searching, uploading, and even the fancy FTP method!
Install a Plugin using WordPress Plugin Search
The absolute simplest way to add a new plugin to your WordPress website is through the built-in search. Keep in mind, this search only shows free plugins, so you won’t find premium options here.
Here’s how to get started:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- In the side menu, click on “Plugins” and then “Add New”.

You’ll see a screen similar to the screenshot. Search for the plugin you need by typing its name or what you want it to do. Then, you’ll see some options pop up.

There are lots of great contact form plugins out there, so take your time to find the one that fits your needs. We think WPForms is the best, so that’s the one we’ll use. Let’s hit that ‘Install Now’ button next to WPForms to get it set up.

You’ve installed your WordPress plugin – great! But there’s one more step before it’s ready to go. Hit that ‘Activate’ button to bring your plugin to life.
Now it’s time to tweak the settings. Each plugin has its own unique options to play with, so we won’t go into that here.
Install a Plugin using the WordPress Admin Plugin Upload
Not all WordPress plugins are listed in the official directory, especially if you buy them directly. But don’t worry! WordPress lets you upload these plugins manually. Here’s how to do it:
- Get the plugin file. It will be a .zip file.
- Go to your WordPress dashboard. Find the “Plugins” section, then click “Add New”.
- Click the ‘Upload Plugin’ button. You’ll find it at the top of the page.

This will open up a place to upload your plugin. Click the ‘Choose File’ button and find the plugin file you downloaded earlier.

Once you’ve picked the file, click the ‘Install Now’ button. WordPress will handle the rest – it’ll upload the plugin and get it set up. You’ll see a message when it’s all done! And, after you install the plugin, don’t forget to click the ‘Activate Plugin’ link – that’s what makes it work!
Plugins are awesome!
WordPress plugins give your website new abilities and installing plugins is easy. You can often search and install them directly through your WordPress dashboard. If you have a plugin file, uploading it is just as simple.
Important Note: If you use WordPress.com, you might have limitations on installing plugins. Consider upgrading your plan or switching to a self-hosted WordPress.org site for more control.