(Note: This tutorial demonstrates 2 ways to install a plugin via your WordPress Dashboard. If you cannot find a plugin via your Dashboard, you will need to install it via FTP. Read how to do so in How to Install a Plugin Via FTP.)
Once WordPress is installed and optimized, you'll definitely want to install some plugins. Here are a few things about plugins:
Limit your plugins
Plugins are no doubt, very handy. However, they can slow down your site and some can be pretty finicky. So, my advice is to use as few plugins as necessary. Avoid going plugin crazy.
If your site breaks, it could be plugin-related
As I mentioned above, plugins can be quite buggy. Therefore,
- Keep your plugins updated (upgrade notices are under Dashboard–>Plugins–>Installed)
- If your site breaks and you're not sure why, deactivating your plugins and reactivating them one by one can oftentimes lead you to the site-breaking culprit
Six plugins I recommend
- Akismet is a great spam catcher. It's automatically installed in new versions of WordPress but must still be activated. (Activation requires an API key from WordPress.com. Simply follow the prompts to get your key when you activate Akismet under Plugins–>Installed.)
- WP Database Backup backs up your database (posts, comments, etc.) on a regular basis.
- FeedSmith redirects all your site's feed to FeedBurner so you can keep track of all subscribers in one spot. (This assumes, of course, that you use FeedBurner.)
- Google XML Sitemaps creates an automatic sitemap which helps the "bots" index your site more efficiently. This helps with SEO.
- All in One SEO Pack, as the name suggests, helps improve your SEO.
- Yet Another Related Posts Plugin (YARPP) automatically includes links to related posts at the end of every post. This provides more reading material for visitors and can significantly boost your pageviews.
How to install a plugin
Can't see the video? See it here.
Video Notes
How to install plugins via your Dashboard
- Login to your Dashboard
- Go to "Plugins" (in left column)
- Click "Add New"
- Search for the name of your desired plugin in the search field
- Click "Install"
- Go back to "Plugins–>Installed" and "Activate" your plugin
- You may need to change your plugin's settings (which are often found under "Settings" or "Plugins")
How to install plugins by uploading to your server
- Download your desired plugin from its website
- Upload the plugin via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to your server. If you use Bluehost, you can do this from your cPanel using Unlimted FTP. (Not all hosts offer this feature in which case you'll need to get yourself an FTP client. You might try FileZilla or simply search for "free FTP client for [Mac or Windows]".)
- Upload the plugin to your wp-content–>plugins folder on your server
- Go back to your "Dashboard–>Plugins–>Installed"
- "Activate" your plugin
- Choose you plugin settings (usually found under "Settings" or "Plugins")
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, if you click on one of them and make a purchase, I will receive a portion of that sale…at absolutely no cost to you of course. I like to think of it as a win-win situation. I’d be grateful for a click through one of my affiliate links, but that is completely up to you. 
Here at BloggingWithAmy you'll find tips, tools & tutorials about blogging and websites. In plain English. Want to 
Hi-
I'm wondering if there is an advantage to FTPing stuff like this instead of installing it through the dashboard. I prefer the ease of the dashboard, of course, but I wasn't sure if it was the best way.
I always install via the Dashboard whenever possible simply because it's much quicker and easier.
The only time I can think of when it would be more advantageous to install via FTP is if (for some reason) the plugin in WordPress's Plugin Directory was not the latest version.
Ok, now I have another question! Is there are reason you recommend the related posts plugin vs. the linkwithin? The thumbnails in LinkWithin seem more appealing to me than the plain text links.
This is my $.02.
A lot of people use LinkWithin and the thumbnail feature is nice. I used it myself for a while, but found that it didn't pull relevant and varied posts nearly as well as Yet Another Related Posts Plugin. That's why I switched back.
More great information! Thanks! I never would have known this. I am really enjoying your blog (have I already said that
I didn't think I needed to install Akismet. I got a few spam comments here and there, and since I moderate comments before they can be posted, I didn't see a need.
Until two days ago! I woke up to over 20 spam comments. Boom! They found me! Since the installation of the Akismet plug-in that same day, my total count of blocked spam comes to 87. That's just in 2 1/2 days!
Thanks for recommending this plug-in, Amy!
Akismet is definitely a must-have.
More great information! Thanks! I never would have known this. I am really enjoying your blog (have I already said that
I would also recommend a more complete backup than the wp-database one. That one is good to have but you might look at Backup Buddy at pluginbuddy.com. It backs up everything – database, plug in's, themes, all your settings etc. It also will allow you to move to another host by backing up your site and restoring at another site. It is important to store a copy of your backup somewhere other than your host in case some disaster occurs (lose their disk drives, earthquake or some other natural disaster, bankruptcy or some other major problem where you can't access the site). With the off site backup you can immediately set up with another host and move your site there and be up and running in a very short amount of time. With the database backup only you would have to rebuild your site by installing plugin's, modifying themes and whatever else you've done to customize your site. I doubt most people could remember all the changes they've made to their site so they could recreate it from scratch. Just my 2 cents.
Rick
Hey Rick, thanks for the input! Good point about off-site backup.
I cannot get feedsmith to work. I've uploaded it to bluehost, like in the video, but it does not show up on wordpress. Any thought?
Hi Jessica,
FeedSmith is a bit funky in the way it is "packaged" as a plugin, thus making it not work if you try to upload it via your Dashboard. Try uploading it via FTP (How to Install a Plugin or Theme via FTP — I use FeedSmith as my example) and you shouldn't have a problem.
It's saying I need to configure the All in one SEO pack. When I click on the link to 'the admin page' I get a list of things to configure and enable. Have you seen this, what are your recommendations for filling it out?
You configure the All in One SEO Pack in Settings–>All in One SEO. I know they can be a bit daunting. Here's a great post that shows you optimal settings.
Hi Amy- I am eating up your info- I've been using wordpress for a few months now and just fumbling my way through. I've been trying to implement all of your suggestions, but I'm having trouble with yet another related post- I've installed it as a plug in, but now it tells me to copy the folder into my theme directory- but it doesn't give any instructions how to do that. Can you help?
Hi Melody,
Hmmm…did you install it via your Dashboard in WordPress? If my memory serves me correctly, you should be able to in which case you shouldn't have to copy the folder into your theme directory.
Hi, Amy,
I was attempting to add the plug-in Google XML Sitemaps to my blog.
I keep seeing messages like the following:
This release is not compatible with the new multisite feature of WordPress 3.0 yet. The plugin will remain inactive as long as this feature is enabled.
What do I do in this case?
Thanks!
Bonnie
Sounds like you may need to disable the multisite feature. This might help.
Weird!
On a whim, I decided to try the Google download, again, before disabling stuff. It worked without a problem. I'm not going to fight it. I'm just thanking God.
Bonnie
Glad you figured it out! Way to go!
Amy,
I feel like a total dweeb, today.
I'm on Bluehost and at the point where I should see what's on my computer on the left and what's on my server on the right. I'm attempting to upload my Feedsmith download to my server.
I can't get info to show on the left (my computer). I'm ready to cry and just give up.
Bonnie
Sorry, Amy,
What I meant to say, directly above, is that I can't see anything of mine on the computer side (left), to pull over into the server side (right). Any ideas?
Bonnie
Trying to troubleshoot the above-mentioned situation:
When I go into Unlimited FTP, are the items that I should see on the left from my File Manager? If so, how do I incorporate File Manager so it shows on the left side? Also, I downloaded Feedburner/Feedsmith. However, to get it to appear on the left side of the screen, what should I do?
Sorry. My visual learning style is coming through and I just can't "see" things which is making it hard for me to understand.
The items you'd see on the left are all the files on your computer. The items on the right are all the files on the server.
So for example, for Feedsmith, you'd go to the FeedSmith site, and download the files to your computer. Then, you'd login to Unlimited FTP and you'll see the Feedsmith folder wherever it was downloaded on the left side of the screen. On the right side of the screen, you'll see the files on your server. You'll hit "public_html" then "wp-content" then "plugins" and you'd then drag the Feedsmith folder from the left into the plugins folder.
Hope that helps!
OK. I understand. My problem is finding items that are on the server side on my computer side. Things like:
.cpanel
.cpanel-datastore
.htpasswds
and so on.
I'm guessing that I need to search for these items on my computer side and make a new file, all it's own, of those things? Does that sound correct? Then, when I download something, (like a plug-in), I can download it to that folder and work with it from there. Does that sound correct?
In short, I think that the items I see on my server side are in various places on my computer side.
Thanks, Amy,
Bonnie
The files you mentioned aren't files you would normally work with when installing a plugin, for example (unless I'm not understanding — which is entirely possible).
Think it's working now. I was corresponding with Bluehost for 4 days off and on.
I thought that the items in the server section, under public_html, automatically went to my local computer. I didn't know that I had to download them. All this time I've been telling Bluehost that I couldn't see items on the left that were on the right. Just today I had a thought and asked them if the items on the server side had to be downloaded to the local computer side. That's when they told me "Yes". I've been telling that that this is all new to me, but I guess they thought I was kidding. LOL.
I'll try the feedburner steps that you listed above tomorrow. Too tired to focus on it tonight. I'm just excited that my local computer matches my server.
Thanks, Amy.
Bonnie
Previously I had installed akismet, and some other plugins, but now when I try to install any plugins, i get this error "Could not create directory. /public_html" What do I do?
Ok Amy, I'm trying to work through your steps a little late in the game…When I set up the WP DB Backup what are the settings I should use for it? Any helpful links? How often do you backup? Where do you send it to?
I set it to backup daily and I send it to my email (and then create a filter in Gmail so it is automatically archived and doesn't clog my inbox).
Me again. I added YARP and it is telling me that I need to move its location (looks like to a theme area?) I'm confused.
YARPP can be added via your Dashboard (Plugins–>Add New) and should give you any problems that way.
Thanks a million for all of the great info!!!
Is the Askimet key free? When I try to access the key they want to charge me.
Thanks
Kristi
Me again…I just paid $ for the key…so please disregard.
Now regarding feedburner feedsmith:
I followed the directions in the video.
On the cPanel/Unlimited FTP; Feedburner-feedsmith shows up on right/server side so it looks like it has been installed (looks like the video). However, when I back to the "dashboard", then to "plug-ins" it is not there.
What do I need to do to get it to show up on the dashboard?
Thanks!!!
Kristi
Try installing via the Dashboard (as opposed to FTP). Just search for it.
If not, try opening your FeedSmith folder and see if there is a second folder inside of it. (Do this on the left side.) If there *is* a second folder inside the first, drag the 2nd one over. I think that might do the trick.
Thank you! Finally got it to work after this tip! Your blog is amazing, I'm definitely referring my readers to you when they ask how to start a blog. Thanks, Amy!
Glad it worked! Thanks, Heather.
I installed YARPP and this message popped up:
"The plugin generated 116 characters of unexpected output during activation. If you notice “headers already sent” messages, problems with syndication feeds or other issues, try deactivating or removing this plugin."
Is this a concern?
If it isn't, I've finished step 12.
Thanks Amy!
Kristi
For any fellow 1and1 hosting users, you'll HAVE to use FTP but most importantly, you'll have constant Error 500 messages every time you try to install plugins because of the server's htaccess file. This article is a godsend after several frustrating hours!
http://kevinbaggs.com/2010/04/17/fixing-500-internal-server-error-with-wordpress-and-1and1-com-hosting/
Will FeedSmith work with WordPress 3.0 I'm having trouble with it. If it won't is there an alternate plugin?
"WP Database Backup backs up your database (posts, comments, etc.) on a regular basis."
Requires WordPress Version: 2.0.3 or higher
Compatible up to: 2.9.2
Last Updated: 2008-12-10
Is there something that is compatible with Wp 3.0.1 ?
Good morning!
I've been following all your steps just fine until this one. I purchased web hosting for a new site I'm working on through HostGator when you recommended it a while back. I just can't figure out the FTP process with it since it's different than BlueHost. I'm trying to install FeedSmith.
Thanks!
Hi Amy,
I'm going to change my question a bit. I'm trying to figure out FTP on HostGator. In the FTP section I read, "You will need a third-party FTP program to access your files." I can choose between Filezilla and Core FTP. I am attempting to follow the instructions they give, but I am getting stuck at Step 2:
Step 2: Download the FTP configuration or SFTP configuration and save it onto your desktop.
Step 3: Double-click on the download file.
Step 4: An "Open File – Security Warning" dialog will open. Select "Run." The file is safe to run on your computer.
Neither the FTP configuration file or the SFTP configuration file will allow me to "run" the program after I save the file. I am just given the option to "save" and then it comes up in my downloaded files. I then open the file and try to save it to my desktop, but when I double click on the file it just opens a little text dialog box. AH! What am I doing wrong? Thank you for your help! I just want to get FeedSmith going with HostGator! =)
Hi Andria,
Well, I have plans to do a walk-through with HostGator as I did with Bluehost eventually…
In the meantime, I would probably choose FileZilla myself and use the tutorials here. If you still have trouble, I'd just skip FeedSmith for the time being and move on.
You can always come back to it later.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your tutorials!
You're welcome!
Hi again Amy!
This has been such a big help. I'm muddling through here.
I am wondering about Akismet. It is wanting to charge me $59 / year. Is this what you did? I am just starting out and I assume I will make this up but want to make sure that I am doing the right thing in signing up for the key.
By the way, I found a way around it, but I never did get an email about my new wordpress info when I signed up. Does this indicate a problem in the way that I have set things up?
Thanks!
Hi again!
I'm trying to install the all in one SEO pack. I have the following message and don't know what to do:
All in One SEO Pack must be configured. Go to the admin page to enable and configure the plugin.
All in One SEO Pack now supports Custom Post Types.
Can you help please?
Thanks!
Try this post.
Hi again.
I should have included this error message in what I saw when trying to add in the all in one plug in:
The plugin generated 116 characters of unexpected output during activation. If you notice “headers already sent” messages, problems with syndication feeds or other issues, try deactivating or removing this plugin.
Again – any help is appreciated.
Thanks!
Hi Amy – thanks for your help thus far today. I am going to have to work on all that you recommended.
How about the fee for Akismet? I assume I have to pay the $59 or monthly fee?
Thanks,
Adrienne
Hmmm…I'll have to look into the fee. In the meantime, though, there's a new plugin I'm hearing a lot of good things about called Growmap Anti Spambot Plugin (G.A.S.P.). You might try that one. It should be free and can be found in your Dashboard (see How to Install a Plugin).
Hi Amy!
Here is an interesting link to an article on the fee now being charged by Akismet. I wonder what you would suggest. I guess we can just sign up for free until we're making $500/month?
I'd love to know what you think about GASP vs Akismet.
Thanks!
Oops! Forgot the link:
http://www.benbarden.com/thanks-to-akismet-wordpress-isnt-quite-as-free-as-it-used-to-be/
Amy, I have a question for you. I have been trying to upload plugins from my dashboard, but I keep on getting stuck on the message "Unpacking the Package" them it won't go any further. My brother in law (also my site programmer) just showed me how to install is with FTP, but he wants me to download them from my dashboard. I just try to download them as I had in the past, but it just keeps getting stuck on that message. Any ideas??
Hmm…make sure you have the most recent version of WordPress installed.
Hi Amy ~
I am just starting my blog and have been following your step-by-step guide – Thank you for the incredible guidance. Now, I've run into my first hiccup. I am trying to install the feedsmith plugin through Unlimited FTP on my bluehost panel. I see it there as a file (not a folder) and notice that it is a .zip (and does not look exactly like yours in the video)…I watched and followed what you did in the video (I moved it over to the right side) and then when I go back to my dashboard it is isn't there?!
I hope that makes some sense
thanks for your help.
I'm not sure I totally understand your question, but make sure you unzip it first. FeedSmith has an extra folder, so you've got to take out the extra one and only upload the main one. I hope that helps!
Thanks for your response – sorry I am delayed:
Yeah, there are definintely two folders but only in the download. Once I get into the Unlimited FTP and try to move this plugin from the left to the right side, I only get one option and it is a zip. When I download it, there is a MACOSX folder and then the feedburner_feedsmith_plugin folder (that all downloads into a "temporary internet files" folder on my computer (a PC). I tried deleting the MACOSX folder, which appears to unzip it there, but still when I try to upload it through Unlimited FTP, I only have one option and it is still a zip (feedburner_feedsmith_plugin_2.3[1].zip)?! Does this sound even remotely familiar? Sorry for my lack of knowledge and confusion…I have worked on it for hours now and just cannot figure out what to do (I am not at all techonologically savvy
Thanks for any additional suggestions.
A zip file definitely won't work. It's hard to know what the problem is without seeing it, but my suggestion is to unzip the zipped file on your computer (like in your Finder) before you fire up FTP. Extract the FeedSmith folder and put it on your computer (your desktop perhaps?) in a place you can easily find it. Then fire up your FTP and upload the file to your server in your plugins without dealing with the zipped file at all while you're FTP'ing.
If I go to "Visit Plugin Site" under FeedBurner FeedSmith on my Plug-In Menu, this warning below comes up. All of the others work except for this one. Did I do something wrong? I've gone through the entire process twice now….The homepage seems to be working well otherwise.
Trouble at the mill!
(Some sort of problem occurred; we're terribly sorry for the hassle it's causing you.)
Here is some additional technical detail about the problem you just encountered:
HTTP Error Code: 404
Detail: Invalid path /help/wordpress_quickstart was requested
What to do?
Are you trying to use your own custom background image with our Headline Animator service? If so, go back in your browser and try your request again. Sometimes these things just get a bit stuck in transit.
You may have tried to visit a page at FeedBurner that does not exist. Head back to the FeedBurner home page and try again.
Hmm…did the install work without a problem? If so, I recommend you google the error.
Hi Amy, Trying so hard to follow along! I read through the comments and am not sure I saw my problem there. I can move the folder from the computer to the server no problem, but when I go back to the dashboard, there is no INSTALLED tab like on your video that you clicked. Any ideas? Thx so much!
Did you try logging out of your Dashboard and logging back in?
Hi Amy,
First, let me say that I love your site; it is so helpful and easy to follow! I am having some problems with FeedBurner. I installed the FeedSmith plugin and activated it successfully. However, when I try in my dashboard to set up my FeedBurner account and then use FeedSmith, I get a warning saying that the security certificate has issues. I continued on past that and it took me to the google search homepage. I'm confused. Any advice?
Hi Amy,
Now, I am trying to install the plugin All in One Seo and it is not compatible with the newer version of WordPress. Could you recommend one that is compatible?
Angel, did you get a message that said it wasn't compatible at all or that it just wasn't tested with the newer version?
Is there a [Yet Another Related Posts Plugin (YARPP) ] dupe for blogger blogs?
Thanks!
I believe LinkWithin works with Blogger blogs.
Hi Amy,
I'm up and running (though I haven't exactly "gone public" yet) and I have my first two posts up. The only problem I'm seeing is with the YARPP. The posts I published are parts 1 and 2 with the exact same title (specifically to test out the YARPP) and I'm getting the "no related posts" at the bottom of each of them. Any ideas on how to fix that?
I really appreciate all the wonderful information and support!
Thanks so much!
It might take a bit. Is it still showing they aren't related?
I just figured it out! I read that I needed to lower my "match threshold", but I couldn't find that under settings because my screen options had it hidden. LOL! Crazy, but I lowered it and updated and now everything that should be related, is. Thanks!
Woot!
Hi Amy,
I've installed the plugin (both ways) and there is no check-box to confirm my readers aren't spambots. This is happening for my readers and for myself when I'm logged out. Javascript is enabled, but it still won't work. I found this in the FAQ:
I see that you are now using Growmap Anti Spambot Plugin, which is encouraging. That means there must be a way to make it work!
"If you are logged out and have javascript enabled and it is still not showing then you need to have the comment form action active in your comments.php theme file"
do_action('comment_form',$post->ID);
I'm unclear on where they are referring to and I really don't want to mess everything up. Are they saying I need to go to the Atahualpa editing or the comments editing… help!
Oh yeah, and when I deactivate GASP my comments work just fine. I left it activated in case you wanted to see what it's doing. Thanks so much!
You will find comments.php under Appearance–>Editor. Make sure to back things up before making any changes to the file!
LOL, I just found it a few minutes ago… I'll give it a try.
Thanks!
okay, I've tried to do it, but I guess I'm doing it wrong. Do I paste the entire thing do_action('comment_form',$post->ID); and, if so, where? I have checked the CSS tutorial you recommended, but it seems to be about styling, not really adding actions. I could be wrong, but I'm just not sure where to go to learn what I need to do…
I've been working on this all afternoon. I've posted questions everywhere and tried to find some place that it was already answered, but no luck. Any ideas?
Yeah, this isn't CSS it's PHP. That's why you wouldn't find it in the CSS tutorial. Make sure you're grabbing all the code including slashes, question marks, etc. (might all be on different lines).
Thanks Amy. I've given up on GASP. I've copied and pasted, typed in and retyped dozens of times, but the > just before ID is messing it up. I just end up with ID); above my "submit comment" button. Maybe something else is supposed to be in that spot instead of the > but I can't get anybody on their website to help me with it. Oh well. Hopefully this other anti-spam plugin will work.
Thanks again
Hi Justyn,
I finally figured it out how to display the check box button which we both have the same problem.
All the FAQs we have found in the net is the do_action bla bla but honestly we should add the script for it to work. Just place it below the submit script and it will run perfectly.
ID); ?>
….
….
…
Kenny
ID); ?>
Is this correct? I've put it in my comments.php, but nothing. I don't know what I did wrong. Which line should I put it because there are so many codes in one .php file.
Oh, it changed the code. Lemme try again.
( ID); ?> )
I'm not sure I'm following you here, Kay…
Oh, I'm sorry. I was replying to Kenny's comment about the code. Wanted him to check whether the code that I posted is correct but it seems like the code has been changed. I have the same problem with Justyn and don't know how to solve it. I've tried to put the code in my comments.php but nothing happened.
Ah, gotcha.
Will you be doing one for HostGator soon? I see in one of your comments that you plan to. I am a little lost since that is what I am using..
Thanks a bunch..
Thanks so much! Two quick questions. I followed the steps on bluehost to do the feedburner plugin. IT says it is there but when I check my plugins on my dashboard there is nothing.
Also, It is saying I need to configure the SEO pack plugin. Are there specific settings for that?
Thanks so much!
Here's a post to help you configure All in One SEO. For the FeedBurner plugin, try searching via your Dashboard for "FeedBurner FeedSmith Extend" and install that way.
Amy, this may be obvious, but can I use this on WordPress.com or are plug-ins only available on self-hosted blogs?
Nancy
I downloaded the Related Posts plug-in..however, it shows that I have no related posts at the bottom of all my posts…any recommendations?
It won't work if your posts aren't published yet so if it's a new blog, that might be the problem.
Hi Amy,
I hope this question is not a repetition…. What kind of plugin do we use to change the permalinks?….for those of us who published any posts before changing permalinks (from previous tutorial, Optimization Part 2). I have only posted one but have over 10 ready to publish; and I wanted to get the permalinks done before having published too much and things get complicated. Thanks!!