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The basic WordPress installation has all everyone needs for creating excellent text-based content, with minimal support for fancy display and design. Fortunately, the WordPress programmers have created a “plugin framework,” which allows anyone with some programming skill to add cool capability to the WordPress platform.
In the past, plugins were installed into a special directory on the server using FTP or similar client applications allowing you to upload the plugin software in the appropriate directory where WordPress could find the plugin. In the latest version of WordPress (v. 2.7), plugins may be installed directly from the administrative interface by searching on keywords.
Let’s take a look at installing plugins using both methods.
Manual plugin installation using FTP
As noted below, many plugins can be found and installed from within Wordpress.
But not all!
Some are not in the Wordpress family, and have to be installed manully according to the following directions.
- Download the plugin(s) you would like to install.
- Unzip to your local computer.
- Upload the plugin to the wp-content/plugins directory on your website.
Automatic installation using the WordPress interface
This is so easy, I almost think it’s silly to mention it. The newest version of Wordpress allows you to search for plugins from the Wordpress interface. Just go to “Plugins > Add New” and search on key words or plugin author, and a list of hopefully relevant plugins will be returned.
Get started with plugins now
Your next stop on your journey to Web Hero should be Your Top 4 Plugins for Wordpress — Critical infrastructure for your WordPress blog. These first 4 will help with blog security, blocking spam, and getting you listed in Google search engine for free traffic.
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Another feature about WP plug-ins is that popularity is a good indicator of quality and usefulness.
The featured, “most popular” plug-ins usually run more smoothly and stay updated by their authors.
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