Introduction

WordPress Plugins are small computer programs that "interact with a host application" and usually provide a very specific function (source). When using WordPress, plugins extend the functionality of WordPress "to do almost anything you can imagine".

The official WordPress plugin directory currently has over 2500 plugins! And if you do a search engine search you will find even more! There are plugins of all types to help you manage all sorts of things like comments, posts, images, formatting, admin, etc.

Installing Plugins

To add a plugin to your blog you first need to download it to your computer. You will probably then need to unzip the file. Once you've unzipped it you should look for a 'Read me' file to read the specific instructions for installing, customizing and using that plugin.

Most of the time you then upload the indicated folder to the server where your blog is hosted using FTP. They should be placed in the directory called 'plugins' which is in the directory 'wp-content'. Wp-content should be in the main directory your blog was installed into.

Occasionally some plugins will require that you manually edit one of the files that came with it before you upload it. You shouldn't open or edit these files in a word processing type of program like Microsoft Word. Instead use a plain text editor like Notepad. It is a good idea to keep a record of any changes you make in case you have any problems or if/when the plugin needs to be upgraded.

Activating Plugins

Once you have it uploaded it, log into your dashboard and click the 'plugins' link on the upper right. You should then see a list of 'Currently Active Plugins' and beneath that 'Inactive Plugins'. Find the plugin you just uploaded and click the 'activate' link way to the right.

Using Plugins

For some plugins that's all you need to do and it will be working the way you want it to at that point. For most you will want to click on the 'Settings' link on the top right, next to the 'Plugins' link. There you sill see a list of all the plugins you have installed and activated. Click whichever one you want to customize. There you will see some options that you can set. Some plugins only offer a few and some multiple tabs of pages of settings you can change.

Troubleshooting and Upgrading

If you have problems getting a particular plugin to work, first make sure you have followed all the instructions carefully. I know sometimes I get in a hurry and only skim through it all and most of the time I can get away with that, but not always. WordPress also provides some instructions if you have a problem: Troubleshooting Plugins

You may need to contact the creator of the plugin and ask if they have any suggestions or if anyone else has had similar problems. If you do this make sure you send them all the information you can about your blog, the error message (if any) that you got and other plugins you are using that may be conflicting with the new one you are trying to use. And remember they are providing the plugins for free so be patient with waiting to get help from them.

Keep in mind also that sometimes when you upgrade to a newer version of WordPress some of your older plugins may no longer work. They also may need to be upgraded.

How to Choose Which and How Many Plugins to Use?

Now – have fun adding some plugins – but try not to go too crazy with adding every single one that sounds kind of interesting. Think first of all – will it be useful to your visitors? Or will it help you to manage your blog better? Adding a few just for fun is ok – you just don't want to add so many that they become distracting.

When you are reading your favorite blogs one of things you can do is to check and see which plugins they are using and whether or not you think they are helpful to you as a reader.

At first I hardly used any at all, but over time I am adding more as I find some that add value to my blog. I will be writing about some of those here in the coming weeks.