Using FTP to Upload a WordPress Plugin

Here are the steps to upload and install a WordPress Plugin in your WordPress.org blog.

There are some prerequisites before you start:

Now we are ready to go.  Please note I am using WS_FTP in these screen shots.  Other FTP software may appear different, but the core idea is the same:  To copy folders and files from your own computer onto the ISP host computer.

Start up your FTP program, and establish a connection with your ISP host computer.  After connecting,  your FTP program will display a window with two panels.  The panel on the left is showing folders and files on your own computer.  The panel on the right is showing folders and files on the ISP host computer.

In the right panel, the host computer, note the folder titled wordpress.  Double click on the wordpress folder to expand it.

You will see that the wordpress folder contain three other folders:  wp-includes, wp-admin, and wp-content.  Double click on the folder named  wp-content to expand it.

The wp-content folder in turn contains three more folders:  themes, plugins, and uploads.

Double click on the folder named plugins to expand it.  You will be uploading your new plugin to this folder.

Now, turn your attention to the left panel, the panel displaying the files and folders on your own computer.  You are going to drill down in a similar fashion until you locate on your own computer the folder containing the new plugin.

Be aware that in the process of unzipping, folders sometimes become “double-nested”.   Be sure to keep drilling down until you reach the folder than contains the plugin files.

Note this folder is double nested.  I won’t be uploading this folder, I will be uploading the folder that it contains, one more level down.

This is the one I want:

Double clicking on this folder shows me the actual files that it contains, so I know I am at the correct place.  If you click down to this level to click, be sure to click back up one level to begin the upload.

Depending on the FTP program you are using, you can simply click an upload icon, or drag the plugin folder from the left panel into the right panel, which will still be open to the plugin folder on the host computer.

When the upload is finished you will see the new plugin folder in the right panel

To finish the installation, close your FTP program, and go to your WordPress dashboard.  At the dashboard, click Plugins at the upper right side.

Scroll down to see the list of inactivate plugins.  Find the name of the plugin that you just uploaded.  click Activate.

The plugin will move up to the Currently Active Plugins list, and if the plugin has an options menu, the options item will appear in the menu bar of your WordPress dashboard.


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