If you’re new to WordPress, you’ve probably seen the word “plugin” mentioned everywhere. But what exactly are plugins, and how do you manage them without breaking your site?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about WordPress plugins – from installing and updating them to safely removing ones you no longer need.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or just need a refresher, you’re in the right place.
✅ What Are WordPress Plugins?
Plugins are add-ons that extend the functionality of your WordPress website. Want to add a contact form, SEO tools, social sharing buttons, or an online store? There’s a plugin for that.
With over 60,000 free plugins in the WordPress Plugin Directory, you can customize your site without writing any code.
🔍 How to Find and Choose Plugins
Before you install a plugin, it’s important to choose one that’s reputable and well-maintained.
Here’s what to look for:
- ⭐ Good ratings and reviews
- 🔄 Regular updates (check “Last Updated” date)
- 👥 Active installations (the more, the better)
- ✅ Compatibility with your version of WordPress
- 🛠 Clear support documentation or customer support
💡 Tip: Avoid installing too many plugins—each one can slow down your site or cause conflicts.
📥 How to Install a Plugin
You can install a plugin directly from your WordPress dashboard:
- Go to Plugins > Add New
- Use the search bar to find a plugin
- Click Install Now
- Click Activate
That’s it! Your plugin is now running on your site.
For premium (paid) plugins, you’ll usually need to:
- Download the plugin
.zipfile - Go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin
- Upload the file and click Install Now
- Activate the plugin
🛠 How to Manage Plugins
Once installed, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins to manage everything.
You can:
- ✅ Activate or Deactivate plugins
- ⚙️ Configure settings (usually under Settings or Tools)
- 🔄 Update plugins when new versions are available
- 🗑 Delete plugins you no longer need
⚠️ Always back up your site before updating or deleting plugins – especially on a live site.
🔄 Keeping Plugins Updated
Keeping your plugins up to date is critical for:
- Security: Old plugins are a common source of hacks
- Performance: New updates often improve speed and stability
- Compatibility: Updates ensure plugins work with the latest version of WordPress
You can update plugins from Dashboard > Updates or the Plugins page directly.
💡 Pro Tip: Use a management tool like WP Foundry to see all plugin updates in one place and handle them faster, especially if you manage multiple WordPress sites.
🧹 Deleting Unused Plugins
Even deactivated plugins can pose security risks. If you’re not using it—delete it.
To delete a plugin:
- Deactivate it first
- Click Delete
🧼 Keep your plugin list tidy to avoid clutter and reduce the chance of conflicts.
🚫 What to Do When a Plugin Breaks Your Site
Sometimes, a plugin can conflict with your theme or another plugin. If your site goes down after activating a plugin:
- Deactivate it immediately
- If you can’t access your admin dashboard, disable the plugin via FTP or your hosting file manager
- Check for PHP errors in your site’s error logs
You can also use a plugin manager like WP Foundry to remotely disable problematic plugins, even if your site is having issues.
🧠 Final Tips for Beginners
- Only install plugins from trusted sources
- Don’t go overboard – use only what you need
- Keep everything updated regularly
- Delete plugins you don’t use
- Always test new plugins on a staging site if possible
👋 Take the Next Step with WP Foundry
Managing plugins gets trickier as you handle more sites or more complexity. That’s where WP Foundry can help.
WP Foundry is a desktop app that lets you manage plugins across multiple WordPress sites with ease:
- View, activate, and update plugins from one place
- Get alerts on vulnerable or outdated plugins
- Manage client sites faster and with fewer headaches
Download WP Foundry today and simplify plugin management for good.