How to Add a Plugin to a WordPress Blog
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One of the great features of the WordPress blogging platform is the ease with which you can extend its functionality using plugins. WordPress maintains it’s own directory of plugins, and you can easily find others that aren’t in the official directory by Googling “WordPress plugin [some function you want to enable]” (without the quotes).
Installing a plugin couldn’t be easier. Using an FTP program such as FileZilla, simply upload the unzipped folder to the wp-content/plugins directory. Then log into the administrative dashboard on your site and go to the “Plugins” tab. Scroll down to the plugin you just installed and click “Activate”.
If your plugin has options, you might have to configure it. Not all plugins require any configuration — check the homepage of the plugin, or look in the folder you downloaded to see if there’s a “Readme” file. It’s sometimes tricky to find where the options are — if there’s a link in the plugins description on the “Plugins” tab, click it; otherwise, go to the “Options” (“settings” in WP 2.5) tab and see if the sub-menu has a link for your new plugin. If it’s not there, try checking the tab that seems to have the most to do with the plugin you just installed, and even the dashboard.
There are dozens of plugins that are useful for writers, some because they’re useful for everyone, and others because they are designed specifically for writers. Stay tuned here in the coming month or so for a list of some of the best WordPress plugins for writers.
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May 10th, 2008 at 8:38 am
During the first year of my blog Becoming A Writer Seriously, I searched out a lot of plug-ins and also tried to keep up with the evolving updates to Word Press. My experience has unfortunately been rather spotty.
Plug-ins often work only with certain versions of Word Press. When one upgrades WP, don’t be surprised if a plug-in no longer works, or if it even interfers with the rendering of your page.
Lately, I’ve added several plug-ins, all presumably compatible with with my version 2.2. Half of them do not work.
And at the moment, I feel stuck at version 2.2, as later versions apparently make a huge jumble of one’s category structure [and posting assignments]. Right at the moment, when my huge book project is demanding more of my attention, I don’t have time to sort all that out.
All that said, I’ll be very eager to learn, Dustin, what plug-ins you use. I once tried to install a plug-in that would automatically report to my readers just which plug-ins were active on my blog — sadly, it doesn’t work.
Finally, Dustin, your blog is one of the best looking and functional blogs I read. You certainly display consummate knowledge of Word Press inner-workings. I still don’t have the appearance/functionality of my blog where I want it. I sure look forward to whatever lessons you pass on.
May 10th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Tom: I haven’t normally had trouble with plugins, although there are a few I haven’t been able to get working even though I’ve seen them working on other sites. There are so many variables — not just what version of WP you’re running, but what verson of MySQL and PHP your webhost has installed, what features are enabled on your server, and what other plugins you’re running. Frankly, it’s surprising that most of them work at all!
Thanks for the compliment. Most of the credit has to go to the designers of my theme, which is called Studiopress. It’s a free theme, with very minimal modifications by me. I expect to redesign the site in a few onths, when I have time to really get into it, but most likely I’ll stay pretty close to the layout here — I agree, it’s very functional and orderly.
I use a lot of plugins — I just checked, and there are 16 active at the moment. I think I’ll write up a post listing everything I sue and what it does — some of the stuff is really subtle, little touches that add character and elegance to the site. And some of it is absolutely essential. Look for a post in the next few weeks. (Right now, I’m finishing the semester with 166 finals to grade starting Monday, so that’s where most of my attention will be!)
May 12th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I’d be interested in a write up on which plugins you use as well.
I find I use less than I would have thought initially. I expect this has more to do with my lack of imagination than my lack of need.