Installing and Managing WordPress Plugins
Installing and Managing WordPress Plugins
Plugins extend what WordPress can do, from contact forms and SEO tools to online stores and performance optimisation. This guide covers how to manage plugins effectively and safely on your Kapsule website.
Installing a Plugin
- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard (usually at
yourdomain.com/wp-admin) - Go to Plugins > Add New Plugin
- Search for the plugin by name or browse featured and popular options
- Click Install Now, then Activate
For premium plugins you have purchased:
- Download the plugin
.zipfile from the developer's website - In WordPress admin, go to Plugins > Add New Plugin > Upload Plugin
- Choose the
.zipfile and click Install Now, then Activate
Best Practices
Only install plugins you need. Every plugin adds code that runs on your site. Plugins that are not actively maintained or simply unused can slow your site down or introduce security vulnerabilities.
Use reputable sources. Only install plugins from the official WordPress.org repository or trusted premium marketplaces. Avoid downloading plugins from unofficial sites, as these can contain malware.
Check compatibility. Before installing, verify that the plugin supports your current version of WordPress.
Before installing a new plugin on your live site, try it on a staging environment first. See Using Staging Environments.
Keeping Plugins Updated
Outdated plugins are one of the most common causes of hacked WordPress sites. To update:
- Go to Dashboard > Updates in WordPress admin
- Check the plugins that have updates available
- Click Update Plugins
Always take a backup before running plugin updates, especially for major version changes. See Taking a Backup.
Deactivating vs Deleting a Plugin
Deactivating a plugin disables it but leaves its files and data in place. This is useful if you need to troubleshoot an issue.
Deleting a plugin removes its files. If you are removing a plugin permanently, delete rather than just deactivate.
To delete: go to Plugins > Installed Plugins, deactivate the plugin first, then click Delete.
Troubleshooting Plugin Conflicts
If your site breaks after activating a plugin:
- Deactivate the new plugin immediately
- If you cannot access WordPress admin, connect via SFTP and rename the plugin folder in
wp-content/plugins/(this deactivates it) - Test the site without the plugin
See SFTP Access for instructions on connecting to your files.