Tutorial on Using WordPress: Adding Plugins

In the last decade, blogging has exploded in popularity. Blogging is helpful for everyone, from internet entrepreneurs looking to generate money to kids looking to keep an online journal. Let’s examine WordPress, one of the most crucial resources for anyone wanting to launch an online blog, in this piece.

So, Can You Explain What WordPress Is?

Simply said, WordPress is software that allows anyone to create a blog. This implies that WordPress is where you should get your blog up and running, personalized, and updated. WordPress is the most popular, versatile, and perhaps the most straightforward blog publishing platform available today, while there are many more.

There are two distinct WordPress platforms: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. So, if you want to start a blog, you must first ensure you understand the distinction.

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org

Setting up WordPress.com (or WordPress lite, as I like to call it) is the more straightforward option, but it lacks the robust features of its more robust cousin. The primary distinction lies in the fact that WordPress.com, WordPress handles hosting for you.

1. It’s cost-free.
Two, launching it couldn’t be easier or faster.

However, there are a few downsides to this, the most significant of which is that you will not own it. This means that WordPress can shut down your blog anytime (this is extremely unlikely, but it does happen). Think of the aggravation that would cause!

However, to get started with WordPress.org, you will need to purchase a domain name for your blog, as the user hosts it (that’s you!). At first glance, this may seem like a huge inconvenience (especially for the less tech-savvy among you), but trust me when I say there are some significant benefits. Instances where:

No. 1 – It’s yours. (whatever you want to write, whenever you want to write it, will remain yours forever)
Second, you can display advertisements (the bread and butter of every blog; with a.com blog, you can’t do this because you don’t own the domain).

And the cherry on top is…

No. 3: Add-ons are available.

How Do Plug-ins Work?

WordPress add-ons function pretty similarly to computer programs. After setting it up, you can utilize its functions on your blog. Here are some possible instances:

Including videos, letting readers share your posts (on Twitter), and linking to your social media profiles are all ways to improve the reach of your blog.

And there are tens of thousands more that can help you accomplish just about anything (and everything) you need for your site to function the way you want it to.

Putting In A Plug

The process of setting them up is also straightforward. To install a plugin, navigate to your WordPress.org blog’s administration area and click the ‘plug-in’ tab in the sidebar.

You can do a direct search for the plug-in’s name if you know it, or you can input the function you need it to do (such as “enable video”) to see a wide variety of results. Pick the installation option you prefer.

It’s just that easy.

While there may be some minor variations in getting plug-ins up and running, you’ll be a WordPress whiz after you’ve done it once or twice!

However, compatibility should not be overlooked.

WordPress frequently releases software updates (which is excellent!) This will cause incompatibilities between your version and specific plugins.

Several solutions exist for this. Thus, it all depends on the issue.

First issue: Your plugin is incompatible with your version of WordPress.

The best method is to check the status of any available WordPress updates at the top of your blog’s administration area. If there is an update available, selecting it will automatically apply it.

Second Issue: You can’t update the plugin you’re attempting to install.

The best option is to read the description of each plug-in to choose which one best suits your needs. If not, refine your search terms or check the excellent WordPress.com support forum to see if a newer version is available.

Alternate – There are numerous options for an alternative to any given plug-in. Each option is rated from 1 to 5 stars (with five being the best) based on previous customers’ experiences, making it simple to determine which is most effective and will deliver the desired outcome.

What should you do if you install a plugin and it doesn’t function properly, and there is no update available?

The support available at WordPress.org is among the best in the industry. If you’re having trouble with a plugin and can’t find an update, don’t worry; the answer is almost certainly to be found in one of the forums on the WordPress site, thanks to the site’s incredibly detailed search feature (there are wikis, video tutorials, and plenty of ideas and solutions written by other users).

To make money, keep an online journal, or just for fun, you may now organize your blog however you see fit to serve its purpose.

Best of luck with your blog!

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