How Do I Manage WordPress Plugins?

Proper control of your WordPress plugins will determine how well optimized or completed your website is. Whether you want to boost security of a site, make it load faster, or introduce new functionality, knowing how to manage your WordPress plugins makes all the difference between good times and regretful moments. 

In this article, we will discuss:

• How Do I Install a WordPress Plugin
• How Do I Update WordPress Plugins
• How Do I Remove WordPress Plugins
• Review

How Do I Install a WordPress Plugin

Follow the steps below on how to install a WordPress Plugin.

1. Log in to the WordPress Dashboard. Select the options below to log in to your WP dashboard. 

   Through domain.com/wp-admin

   1. You add /wp-admin to the end of your domain name in a browser to log into your WordPress dashboard directly. 
   2. Assuming that your domain name is example.com, you can write the URL example.com/wp-admin on your browser. 
   3. You should be able to see the page below once done.
      

   Through Your Account Manager

   1. If the above does not work, you can log in through your Account Manager.
   2. On the left side menu, select WordPress.
      
       
   3. In the Launch WordPress Dashboard section, click on the GO button to be redirected to the WP Dashboard.
      
       
   4. Enter your WordPress credentials in the Username/Email Address and Password field of your WordPress Dashboard. If you forgot your password, you could click on Lost your password? 
      
       
2. After logging in, you should be able to see the page below.
   
3. On the left side of the page, hover your mouse on Plugins.
   
    
4. Then, select Add New Plugin.
   
    
5. In the Add Plugins page, you may click on the Upload Plugin button so that you may install a plugin that you downloaded.
   
   1. Clicking the Upload Plugin button will prompt you to choose a file you wish to install. 
      
   2. Select Install Now after choosing a file.
      
       
   3. Click Activate Plugin to complete and activate the installed plugin.
      
       
   4. The plugin has been activated.
      
       
6. Another option to install a plugin is to search it in the Search plugins field. 
   1. All the available plugins will show, and you can click the Install Now button to install the plugin of your choice.
      
       
   2. Once installed, click on the Activate button to complete the installation and activate the plugin.
      
       
   3. The plugin has been activated.
      

How Do I Update WordPress Plugins

Follow the steps below on how to update WordPress Plugins.

1. Log in to the WordPress Dashboard. Select the options below to log in to your WP dashboard.   

   Through domain.com/wp-admin

   • You add /wp-admin to the end of your domain name in a browser to log into your WordPress dashboard directly. 
   • Assuming that your domain name is example.com, you can write the URL example.com/wp-admin on your browser. 
   • You should be able to see the page below once done.
     

   Through Your Account Manager

   • If the above does not work, you can log in through your Account Manager.
   • On the left side menu, select WordPress.
     
      
   • In the Launch WordPress Dashboard section, click on the GO button to be redirected to the WP Dashboard.
     
      
   • Enter your WordPress credentials in the Username/Email Address and Password field of your WordPress Dashboard. If you forgot your password, you could click on Lost your password?
     
      

• After logging in, you should be able to see the page as seen below.
  
   
• On the left side of the page, hover your mouse on Plugins.
  
   
• Select Installed Plugins. All of the installed plugins will be shown here.
  
   
• If there is an update available for the plugin, it will be shown under the plugin information, as seen in the image below.
  

  Note: You may click on the View version to view the version details of that plugin, or you can click on update now to update the plugin to the latest version.

• The plugin has been updated.
  

How Do I Remove WordPress Plugins

Follow the steps below on how to remove an installed plugin.

1. Log in to the WordPress Dashboard. Select the options below on how to log in to your WP dashboard.

   Through domain.com/wp-admin

   1. You add /wp-admin to the end of your domain name in a browser to log into your WordPress dashboard directly. 
   2. Assuming that your domain name is example.com, you can write the URL example.com/wp-admin on your browser. 
   3. You should be able to see the page below once done.
      

   Through Your Account Manager

   • If the above does not work, you can log in through your Account Manager.
   • On the left side menu, select WordPress.
     
      
   • In the Launch WordPress Dashboard section, click on the GO button to be redirected to the WP Dashboard.
     
      
   • Enter your WordPress credentials in the Username/Email Address and Password field of your WordPress Dashboard. If you forgot your password, you could click on Lost your password? 
     
     
      
2. After logging in, you should be able to see the page as seen below.
   
    
3. On the left side of the page, hover your mouse on Plugins.
   
    
4. Select Installed Plugins. All of the installed plugins will be shown here.
   
    
5. If the plugin is active, you must first deactivate it before deleting it. To do this, click the Deactivate Plugin button. This will refresh the page, and the plugin will be listed as inactive.
   
    
6. To delete the plugin, click the Delete button under the plugin.
   
    
7. Next, WordPress will prompt you with a confirmation of the deletion. Click OK to completely delete the plugin.
   
    
8. A confirmation message will show that the plugin has been deactivated.
   

Review

Keeping your plugins up to date and organized will add functionality to your site and keep most problems associated with it at bay. Do not forget to look for quality plugins and to clean out the unused or hopelessly outdated ones. The strategies described here will help empower you in improving your WordPress experience while maintaining a website that continues to meet its objectives.