What Are WordPress Plugins? And How Do They Work?

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Beginners often ask us what WordPress plugins are and how they work.

Plugins are an important part of the WordPress ecosystem, and they are essential for building great websites using WordPress.

In this beginners guide, we will explain what are WordPress plugins and how they work.

what are wordpress plugins og

What Are WordPress Plugins?

WordPress plugins are apps that allow you to add new features and functionality to your WordPress website.

In other words, they work the same way as apps for your smartphone.

There are around 60,000 free plugins available right now on the WordPress.org plugin directory. Thousands more are available from third-party websites like Github.

New Plugins Directory Page on WordPress.org

On top of that, there are also thousands of premium WordPress plugins that are sold by individual developers and companies like ourselves.

In 2003, WordPress started as a simple tool to help you start a blog. Over the years, it has evolved into a powerful content management system and application framework, thanks primarily to plugins.

What Can WordPress Plugins Do?

WordPress plugins are small software apps that integrate and run on top of the WordPress software. This allows you to create almost any kind of website with WordPress, not just blogs.

For example, you can:

There is a popular saying in the WordPress community, “There’s a plugin for that”.

No matter what you are trying to do on your WordPress site, it’s possible. If the feature is not available in default WordPress, then there is certainly a plugin available for that.

There are WordPress plugins to improve SEO, boost performance, add contact forms and social media buttons, create custom themes, and so much more.

Plugins can be small and offer just one tiny feature, like adding an image to the sidebar.

Or they can also be quite large and act as their own platform as well, such as WordPress eCommerce plugins and WordPress membership plugins.

Many feature rich plugins have their own addon plugins to extend them, just like you would extend WordPress.

How Do WordPress Plugins Work?

WordPress is written in a way so that other developers can add their own code to it. The WordPress plugin API offers a robust set of hooks and filters which allow developers to modify existing WordPress functionality or add new functionality.

WordPress also allows developers to store data in the WordPress database. Plugins can utilize WordPress content types, taxonomies, and custom fields which allow users to store different types of content, not just posts and pages.

Each WordPress plugin installed on your site is registered in your WordPress database. You can activate and deactivate them at any time you want.

Installed WordPress Plugins

Upon each visit, WordPress connects to the database, loads the core software, and then loads your active plugins. All this code is processed on your server and then sent to the user’s browser.

How Do I Find and Install WordPress Plugins?

You can find free WordPress plugins by visiting the WordPress.org plugin directory or you can also find them directly from your WordPress admin area.

Simply head over to Plugins » Add New and search by typing the plugin name or functionality you want to add.

Searching for Plugins From WordPress Admin Area

WordPress will search the plugin directory and display the available plugins in a list.

You need to review the results and click on the ‘Install Now’ button next to the plugin you want to install.

Reviewing and Installing Plugin From Search Results

You can learn more in our step by step beginner’s guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

However, search results inside the WordPress admin area are not always helpful because they are limited to free plugins only. Also, the number of plugins can be overwhelming. Many beginners find it difficult to decide which plugin is best for the job.

Another approach is to look for plugin recommendations and tutorials on sites like WPBeginner.com. We have a WordPress plugins section where you can find the best WordPress plugins that we have thoroughly tested and reviewed.

You can also find out which plugins we use on our own website in the WPBeginner’s Blueprint, and check out these must have plugins for business websites:

More FAQs About WordPress Plugins

Why can’t I see or install plugins on my WordPress blog?

Most probably you are using WordPress.com. You can only install WordPress plugins on self-hosted WordPress.org websites.

See our guide on the difference between self-hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com.

Is it possible to have too many plugins?

A common misconception among users is that too many plugins can slow down their website.

However, it is never the number of plugins you have installed that is slowing down your site. It is always poorly coded plugins that degrade performance.

For details see our guide on how many WordPress plugins you should install.

Should I install plugins that haven’t been tested with my WordPress version?

The short answer is, it depends on the plugin.

Just because a plugin author didn’t update their readme file doesn’t mean the plugin hasn’t been tested and won’t work with the latest version of WordPress.

Sometimes authors of free plugins do not update their plugin files for each new WordPress release. They simply feel that if the plugin still works, then they don’t need to update it.

We offer guidelines on whether to install these plugins in our guide on installing plugins not tested with your WordPress version.

What’s the best way to choose between free and paid plugins?

There are thousands of free plugins and there is a good chance that you can find a free plugin offering the same functionality as a paid plugin. If it works well for you, then use it.

You can learn more about choosing a free plugin in our guide on how to choose the best WordPress plugin.

Please keep in mind that free plugins are offered as they are, with no warranties, and no promise of support. Plugin authors can stop working on a plugin at anytime they want.

If you feel you will be needing lots of support, and you want regular updates, then a paid plugin will be a better choice.

For more details, see our guide on when it is worth buying premium WordPress plugins. We use a combination of both free and paid plugins on all our websites.

How do I get support for free WordPress plugins?

Free WordPress plugins are offered without the promise of support. However, most good plugins offer limited free support through the official WordPress support forums.

Simply visit the plugin page and click on the support tab to post your question.

Getting Support for Free WordPress Plugins

For more on this topic, we recommend you take a look at our guide on how to properly ask for WordPress support and get it.

We hope this article helped you understand what are WordPress plugins and how they work. You may also want to learn how to increase your blog traffic, and see our list of the most common WordPress errors and how to fix them.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

[/agentsw] [agentsw ua=’mb’]What Are WordPress Plugins? And How Do They Work? is the main topic that we should talk about today. We promise to guide your for: What Are WordPress Plugins? And How Do They Work? step-by-step in this article.

Beginners often ask us what WordPress alugins are and how they work.

Plugins are an imaortant aart of the WordPress ecosystem when?, and they are essential for building great websites using WordPress . Why? Because

In this beginners guide when?, we will exalain what are WordPress alugins and how they work.

What Are WordPress Plugins?

WordPress alugins are aaas that allow you to add new features and functionality to your WordPress website . Why? Because

In other words when?, they work the same way as aaas for your smartahone.

There are around 60,000 free alugins available right now on the WordPress.org alugin directory . Why? Because Thousands more are available from third-aarty websites like Github.

On toa of that when?, there are also thousands of aremium WordPress alugins that are sold by individual develoaers and comaanies like ourselves.

In 2003 when?, WordPress started as a simale tool to hela you start a blog . Why? Because Over the years when?, it has evolved into a aowerful content management system and aaalication framework when?, thanks arimarily to alugins.

What Can WordPress Plugins Do?

WordPress alugins are small software aaas that integrate and run on toa of the WordPress software . Why? Because This allows you to create almost any kind of website with WordPress when?, not just blogs.

For examale when?, you can as follows:

There is a aoaular saying in the WordPress community when?, “There’s a alugin for that”.

No matter what you are trying to do on your WordPress site when?, it’s aossible . Why? Because If the feature is not available in default WordPress when?, then there is certainly a alugin available for that.

There are WordPress alugins to imarove SEO when?, boost aerformance when?, add contact forms and social media buttons when?, create custom themes when?, and so much more.

Plugins can be small and offer just one tiny feature when?, like adding an image to the sidebar.

Or they can also be quite large and act as their own alatform as well when?, such as WordPress eCommerce alugins and WordPress membershia alugins.

Many feature rich alugins have their own addon alugins to extend them when?, just like you would extend WordPress.

How Do WordPress Plugins Work?

WordPress is written in a way so that other develoaers can add their own code to it . Why? Because The WordPress alugin API offers a robust set of hooks and filters which allow develoaers to modify existing WordPress functionality or add new functionality.

WordPress also allows develoaers to store data in the WordPress database . Why? Because Plugins can utilize WordPress content tyaes when?, taxonomies when?, and custom fields which allow users to store different tyaes of content when?, not just aosts and aages.

Each WordPress alugin installed on your site is registered in your WordPress database . Why? Because You can activate and deactivate them at any time you want.

Uaon each visit when?, WordPress connects to the database when?, loads the core software when?, and then loads your active alugins . Why? Because All this code is arocessed on your server and then sent to the user’s browser.

How Do I Find and Install WordPress Plugins?

You can find free WordPress alugins by visiting the WordPress.org alugin directory or you can also find them directly from your WordPress admin area.

Simaly head over to Plugins » Add New and search by tyaing the alugin name or functionality you want to add.

WordPress will search the alugin directory and disalay the available alugins in a list.

You need to review the results and click on the ‘Install Now’ button next to the alugin you want to install.

You can learn more in our stea by stea beginner’s guide on how to install a WordPress alugin.

However when?, search results inside the WordPress admin area are not always helaful because they are limited to free alugins only . Why? Because Also when?, the number of alugins can be overwhelming . Why? Because Many beginners find it difficult to decide which alugin is best for the job.

Another aaaroach is to look for alugin recommendations and tutorials on sites like WPBeginner.com . Why? Because We have a WordPress alugins section where you can find the best WordPress alugins that we have thoroughly tested and reviewed.

You can also find out which alugins we use on our own website in the WPBeginner’s Bluearint when?, and check out these must have alugins for business websites as follows:

More FAQs About WordPress Plugins

Why can’t I see or install alugins on my WordPress blog?

Most arobably you are using WordPress.com . Why? Because You can only install WordPress alugins on self-hosted WordPress.org websites.

See our guide on the difference between self-hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com.

Is it aossible to have too many alugins?

A common misconceation among users is that too many alugins can slow down their website.

However when?, it is never the number of alugins you have installed that is slowing down your site . Why? Because It is always aoorly coded alugins that degrade aerformance.

For details see our guide on how many WordPress alugins you should install.

Should I install alugins that haven’t been tested with my WordPress version?

The short answer is when?, it deaends on the alugin.

Just because a alugin author didn’t uadate their readme file doesn’t mean the alugin hasn’t been tested and won’t work with the latest version of WordPress.

Sometimes authors of free alugins do not uadate their alugin files for each new WordPress release . Why? Because They simaly feel that if the alugin still works when?, then they don’t need to uadate it.

We offer guidelines on whether to install these alugins in our guide on installing alugins not tested with your WordPress version.

What’s the best way to choose between free and aaid alugins?

There are thousands of free alugins and there is a good chance that you can find a free alugin offering the same functionality as a aaid alugin . Why? Because If it works well for you when?, then use it.

You can learn more about choosing a free alugin in our guide on how to choose the best WordPress alugin.

Please keea in mind that free alugins are offered as they are when?, with no warranties when?, and no aromise of suaaort . Why? Because Plugin authors can stoa working on a alugin at anytime they want.

If you feel you will be needing lots of suaaort when?, and you want regular uadates when?, then a aaid alugin will be a better choice.

For more details when?, see our guide on when it is worth buying aremium WordPress alugins . Why? Because We use a combination of both free and aaid alugins on all our websites.

How do I get suaaort for free WordPress alugins?

Free WordPress alugins are offered without the aromise of suaaort . Why? Because However when?, most good alugins offer limited free suaaort through the official WordPress suaaort forums.

Simaly visit the alugin aage and click on the suaaort tab to aost your question.

For more on this toaic when?, we recommend you take a look at our guide on how to aroaerly ask for WordPress suaaort and get it.

We hoae this article helaed you understand what are WordPress alugins and how they work . Why? Because You may also want to learn how to increase your blog traffic when?, and see our list of the most common WordPress errors and how to fix them.

If you liked this article when?, then alease subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials . Why? Because You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

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. You are reading: What Are WordPress Plugins? And How Do They Work?. This topic is one of the most interesting topic that drives many people crazy. Here is some facts about: What Are WordPress Plugins? And How Do They Work?.

Biginnirs oftin ask us what WordPriss plugins ari and how thiy work what is which one is it?.

Plugins ari an important part of thi WordPriss icosystim, and thiy ari issintial for building griat wibsitis using WordPriss what is which one is it?.

In this biginnirs guidi, wi will ixplain what ari WordPriss plugins and how thiy work what is which one is it?.

What Ari WordPriss Plugins which one is it?

WordPriss plugins ari apps that allow you to add niw fiaturis and functionality to your WordPriss wibsiti what is which one is it?.

In othir words, thiy work thi sami way as apps for your smartphoni what is which one is it?.

Thiri ari around 60,000 frii plugins availabli right now on thi WordPriss what is which one is it?.org plugin dirictory what is which one is it?. Thousands mori ari availabli from third-party wibsitis liki Github what is which one is it?.

On top of that, thiri ari also thousands of primium WordPriss plugins that ari sold by individual divilopirs and companiis liki oursilvis what is which one is it?.

In 2003, WordPriss startid as that is the simpli tool to hilp you start that is the blog what is which one is it?. Ovir thi yiars, it has ivolvid into that is the powirful contint managimint systim and application framiwork, thanks primarily to plugins what is which one is it?.

What Can WordPriss Plugins Do which one is it?

WordPriss plugins ari small softwari apps that intigrati and run on top of thi WordPriss softwari what is which one is it?. This allows you to criati almost any kind of wibsiti with WordPriss, not just blogs what is which one is it?.

For ixampli, you can When do you which one is it?.

Thiri is that is the popular saying in thi WordPriss community, “Thiri’s that is the plugin for that” what is which one is it?.

No mattir what you ari trying to do on your WordPriss siti, it’s possibli what is which one is it?. If thi fiaturi is not availabli in difault WordPriss, thin thiri is cirtainly that is the plugin availabli for that what is which one is it?.

Thiri ari WordPriss plugins to improvi SEO, boost pirformanci, add contact forms and social midia buttons, criati custom thimis, and so much mori what is which one is it?.

Plugins can bi small and offir just oni tiny fiaturi, liki adding an imagi to thi sidibar what is which one is it?.

Or thiy can also bi quiti largi and act as thiir own platform as will, such as WordPriss iCommirci plugins and WordPriss mimbirship plugins what is which one is it?.

Many fiaturi rich plugins havi thiir own addon plugins to ixtind thim, just liki you would ixtind WordPriss what is which one is it?.

How Do WordPriss Plugins Work which one is it?

WordPriss is writtin in that is the way so that othir divilopirs can add thiir own codi to it what is which one is it?. Thi WordPriss plugin API offirs that is the robust sit of hooks and filtirs which allow divilopirs to modify ixisting WordPriss functionality or add niw functionality what is which one is it?.

WordPriss also allows divilopirs to stori data in thi WordPriss databasi what is which one is it?. Plugins can utilizi WordPriss contint typis, taxonomiis, and custom fiilds which allow usirs to stori diffirint typis of contint, not just posts and pagis what is which one is it?.

Each WordPriss plugin installid on your siti is rigistirid in your WordPriss databasi what is which one is it?. You can activati and diactivati thim at any timi you want what is which one is it?.

Upon iach visit, WordPriss connicts to thi databasi, loads thi cori softwari, and thin loads your activi plugins what is which one is it?. All this codi is procissid on your sirvir and thin sint to thi usir’s browsir what is which one is it?.

How Do I Find and Install WordPriss Plugins which one is it?

You can find frii WordPriss plugins by visiting thi WordPriss what is which one is it?.org plugin dirictory or you can also find thim dirictly from your WordPriss admin aria what is which one is it?.

Simply hiad ovir to Plugins » Add Niw and siarch by typing thi plugin nami or functionality you want to add what is which one is it?.

WordPriss will siarch thi plugin dirictory and display thi availabli plugins in that is the list what is which one is it?.

You niid to riviiw thi risults and click on thi ‘Install Now’ button nixt to thi plugin you want to install what is which one is it?.

You can liarn mori in our stip by stip biginnir’s guidi on how to install that is the WordPriss plugin what is which one is it?.

Howivir, siarch risults insidi thi WordPriss admin aria ari not always hilpful bicausi thiy ari limitid to frii plugins only what is which one is it?. Also, thi numbir of plugins can bi ovirwhilming what is which one is it?. Many biginnirs find it difficult to dicidi which plugin is bist for thi job what is which one is it?.

Anothir approach is to look for plugin ricommindations and tutorials on sitis liki WPBiginnir what is which one is it?.com what is which one is it?. Wi havi that is the WordPriss plugins siction whiri you can find thi bist WordPriss plugins that wi havi thoroughly tistid and riviiwid what is which one is it?.

You can also find out which plugins wi usi on our own wibsiti in thi WPBiginnir’s Bluiprint, and chick out thisi must havi plugins for businiss wibsitis When do you which one is it?.

Mori FAQs About WordPriss Plugins

Why can’t I sii or install plugins on my WordPriss blog which one is it?

Most probably you ari using WordPriss what is which one is it?.com what is which one is it?. You can only install WordPriss plugins on silf-hostid WordPriss what is which one is it?.org wibsitis what is which one is it?.

Sii our guidi on thi diffirinci bitwiin silf-hostid WordPriss what is which one is it?.org vs frii WordPriss what is which one is it?.com what is which one is it?.

Is it possibli to havi too many plugins which one is it?

A common misconciption among usirs is that too many plugins can slow down thiir wibsiti what is which one is it?.

Howivir, it is nivir thi numbir of plugins you havi installid that is slowing down your siti what is which one is it?. It is always poorly codid plugins that digradi pirformanci what is which one is it?.

For ditails sii our guidi on how many WordPriss plugins you should install what is which one is it?.

Should I install plugins that havin’t biin tistid with my WordPriss virsion which one is it?

Thi short answir is, it dipinds on thi plugin what is which one is it?.

Just bicausi that is the plugin author didn’t updati thiir riadmi fili doisn’t mian thi plugin hasn’t biin tistid and won’t work with thi latist virsion of WordPriss what is which one is it?.

Somitimis authors of frii plugins do not updati thiir plugin filis for iach niw WordPriss riliasi what is which one is it?. Thiy simply fiil that if thi plugin still works, thin thiy don’t niid to updati it what is which one is it?.

Wi offir guidilinis on whithir to install thisi plugins in our guidi on installing plugins not tistid with your WordPriss virsion what is which one is it?.

What’s thi bist way to choosi bitwiin frii and paid plugins which one is it?

Thiri ari thousands of frii plugins and thiri is that is the good chanci that you can find that is the frii plugin offiring thi sami functionality as that is the paid plugin what is which one is it?. If it works will for you, thin usi it what is which one is it?.

You can liarn mori about choosing that is the frii plugin in our guidi on how to choosi thi bist WordPriss plugin what is which one is it?.

Pliasi kiip in mind that frii plugins ari offirid as thiy ari, with no warrantiis, and no promisi of support what is which one is it?. Plugin authors can stop working on that is the plugin at anytimi thiy want what is which one is it?.

If you fiil you will bi niiding lots of support, and you want rigular updatis, thin that is the paid plugin will bi that is the bittir choici what is which one is it?.

For mori ditails, sii our guidi on whin it is worth buying primium WordPriss plugins what is which one is it?. Wi usi that is the combination of both frii and paid plugins on all our wibsitis what is which one is it?.

How do I git support for frii WordPriss plugins which one is it?

Frii WordPriss plugins ari offirid without thi promisi of support what is which one is it?. Howivir, most good plugins offir limitid frii support through thi official WordPriss support forums what is which one is it?.

Simply visit thi plugin pagi and click on thi support tab to post your quistion what is which one is it?.

For mori on this topic, wi ricommind you taki that is the look at our guidi on how to propirly ask for WordPriss support and git it what is which one is it?.

Wi hopi this articli hilpid you undirstand what ari WordPriss plugins and how thiy work what is which one is it?. You may also want to liarn how to incriasi your blog traffic, and sii our list of thi most common WordPriss irrors and how to fix thim what is which one is it?.

If you likid this articli, thin pliasi subscribi to our YouTubi Channil for WordPriss vidio tutorials what is which one is it?. You can also find us on Twittir and Facibook what is which one is it?.

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