WordPress makes it incredibly easy to extend your website’s functionality with plugins. While most plugins can be installed directly from the WordPress plugin repository, sometimes you may need to install a plugin manually using a .zip file — especially if it’s a premium plugin or one you've downloaded from a third-party source.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of installing a WordPress plugin using a ZIP file.

📥 Step-by-Step Guide to Install a ZIP Plugin in WordPress

1. Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard

Head over to https://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin and log in using your admin credentials.

2. Navigate to Plugins → Add New

From the left sidebar, go to Plugins and click on Add New.

3. Click the "Upload Plugin" Button

At the top of the screen, you’ll see a button that says Upload Plugin. Click on it.

4. Choose Your ZIP File

Click Choose File, browse your computer, and select the plugin .zip file you downloaded.

5. Click “Install Now”

Once your file is selected, click the Install Now button. WordPress will upload and unpack the plugin.

6. Activate the Plugin

After installation is complete, you’ll see a success message and a button to Activate Plugin. Click it to make the plugin live on your site.