How to Choose, Install, and Manage WordPress Plugins: A Complete Beginner’s Guide (2025)

Introduction

One of the coolest things about WordPress — and something I didn’t fully appreciate at first — is how flexible it is. And a big part of that flexibility comes from plugins. You can install plugins to do all sorts of things: improve your site’s speed, boost your SEO, add contact forms, set up an online store… pretty much anything.

But here’s the thing: with thousands of plugins out there, it can get overwhelming. Which ones are actually good? How do you even install one? And what happens if something goes wrong?

This is a guide I wish I had when I started — a simple walkthrough on how to choose, install, and manage plugins properly, without getting stuck.

What’s a Plugin, Anyway?

If themes are how your site looks, plugins are how it behaves.

A plugin is like an app for your WordPress site. It adds new features or tools without you needing to code anything. For example:

• Want a contact form? There’s a plugin for that.
• Want to track your visitors with Google Analytics? Yep, plugin.
• Want to speed up your site or improve security? Plugins again.

Basically, plugins help you do more with your site, based on what you need — not what you think you’re supposed to do.

Where Do You Find Plugins?

The easiest place to find plugins is the WordPress Plugin Directory. You can get there from inside your dashboard or by visiting wordpress.org/plugins.

Inside your WordPress dashboard, go to:

Plugins > Add New

From there, you’ll see tabs like:

• Featured (popular choices)
• Recommended
• Favorites (if you’ve saved any)
• Plus a search bar at the top to find specific functionality (e.g., search “SEO” or “forms”)

You’ll see a bunch of plugins come up, each with ratings, install numbers, and an install button.

How to Tell If a Plugin Is Good

There are thousands of plugins, but not all of them are maintained or worth using. Here’s how I learned to pick the solid ones:

⭐ 1. Check the Star Rating

Look for plugins with 4 stars or more. Bonus if it has a lot of reviews.

🛠 2. Check When It Was Last Updated

Avoid plugins that haven’t been touched in a year. WordPress updates regularly, and you want plugins that keep up.

🔄 3. Look at Active Installations

A plugin used by 100,000+ people usually means it’s reliable and well-supported.

✅ 4. Check Compatibility

Always double-check that the plugin works with the version of WordPress you’re running. That info is shown right before you install.

If you’re still unsure, click “More Details” to read the plugin’s description, changelog, reviews, and FAQs.

How to Install and Activate a Plugin

🧩 Option 1: Install Directly from the Plugin Directory

This is the easiest way to add a plugin.

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New
2. Use the search bar to find what you need
3. Click Install Now
4. Then hit Activate when it’s done installing

Boom — the plugin is now active and ready to be set up.

💻 Option 2: Upload a ZIP File

If you bought a premium plugin or downloaded one from another site, you’ll probably get it as a .zip file.

1. Go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin
2. Click Choose File, upload the .zip
3. Click Install Now
4. Then hit Activate

This comes in handy for plugins that aren’t in the official directory — just make sure they’re from a trusted source.

After You Activate a Plugin

Most plugins will either walk you through a quick setup or add a new menu item in your sidebar where you can configure it.

For example:

If you install WP Forms, you’ll go to the WP Forms tab in your dashboard, create a contact form using their drag-and-drop builder, and then use the block editor to add it wherever you want — like your contact page.

It’s usually pretty straightforward, and the good plugins explain what to do.

How to Deactivate and Delete Plugins

If you’re not using a plugin anymore, it’s best to clean it up so it doesn’t slow down your site.

Here’s what I do:

1. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
2. Click Deactivate under the plugin name
3. After that, a Delete button shows up — click it to remove it for good

Only keep the plugins you actually use. I’ve learned it’s better for performance and keeps things tidy.

When Something Breaks: Plugin Conflicts

Sometimes, installing a new plugin causes something on your site to stop working. Super frustrating — but usually fixable.

There are two main ways to figure out what’s wrong:

🔌 Option 1: Manual Check

1. Deactivate all your plugins
2. Reactivate them one by one
3. Refresh your site each time to see when the problem comes backThat usually pinpoints the troublemaker.

🔍 Option 2: Use a Troubleshooting Plugin

Install Health Check & Troubleshooting. It lets you activate troubleshooting mode just for you, so your visitors won’t see any issues while you test things behind the scenes.

I didn’t know this existed at first, and it’s saved me more than once.

Some Good Plugins to Start With

Here are a few beginner-friendly plugins I’ve tested or seen recommended a lot. (Use what you need — not all at once!)

As I’ve been told — don’t overload your site with plugins. Pick what solves a problem you actually have.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to install and manage plugins was one of the biggest “aha” moments for me with WordPress. At first, it was confusing — what’s safe to install? Will it break my site? How many is too many?

But once I got the hang of it, I realized how powerful this system is. Plugins let you shape your site to do exactly what you need, without having to write a single line of code.

If you’re new like me, just start slow. Read reviews, try one thing at a time, and don’t be afraid to test and delete. Every site is different, and part of the fun is figuring out what works for yours.