Plugin installation and activation in Wordpress - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a WordPress plugin?

A WordPress plugin is a piece of software that adds new features or extends the functionality of a WordPress website without changing the core code.

beginner

Name two ways to install a WordPress plugin.

You can install a WordPress plugin by: 1) Using the WordPress admin dashboard's plugin search and install feature, or 2) Uploading a plugin ZIP file through the dashboard or via FTP.

beginner

What does activating a plugin do in WordPress?

Activating a plugin makes it start working on your website. It enables the plugin's features and code to run.

intermediate

Why should you keep plugins updated after activation?

Keeping plugins updated ensures they work well with the latest WordPress version, fixes bugs, improves security, and adds new features.

beginner

What is the difference between installing and activating a plugin?

Installing a plugin means adding its files to your WordPress site. Activating a plugin means turning it on so it starts working on your site.

Which of the following is NOT a way to install a WordPress plugin?

A Editing the WordPress core files manually

B Using the WordPress admin dashboard plugin search

C Installing directly from the WordPress.org plugin repository

D Uploading a plugin ZIP file via the dashboard

Editing WordPress core files is not a method to install plugins and can cause site issues.

What must you do after installing a plugin to make it work on your site?

A Change your WordPress theme

B Delete the plugin files

C Activate the plugin

D Restart your computer

Activating the plugin enables its features on your website.

Where can you find plugins to install on your WordPress site?

A Third-party websites only

B WordPress admin dashboard plugin directory

C Your computer's desktop

D WordPress theme settings

The WordPress admin dashboard has a built-in plugin directory to search and install plugins safely.

Why is it important to keep plugins updated?

A To delete old posts

B To slow down your website

C To change your website's domain

D To improve security and fix bugs

Updates fix bugs and security issues, keeping your site safe and running smoothly.

What happens if you install a plugin but do not activate it?

A The plugin files are on your site but the plugin does not work

B The plugin automatically works

C Your site crashes

D The plugin deletes itself

Installing adds the plugin files, but activation is needed to enable its features.

Explain the steps to install and activate a plugin using the WordPress admin dashboard.

Think about the menu options and buttons you click in the dashboard.

Describe why plugin activation is necessary after installation and what it does.

Activation is like turning on a device after plugging it in.

Practice

1. What is the first step to add new features to a WordPress site using plugins?

easy

A. Install the plugin from the WordPress dashboard

B. Activate the plugin before installation

C. Delete the plugin files manually

D. Edit the WordPress core files

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand plugin addition process

   Plugins add features but must be installed first before use.

2. Step 2: Identify correct first action

   Installing from the dashboard is the proper first step before activation.

3. Final Answer:

   Install the plugin from the WordPress dashboard -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Install before activate = A [OK]

Hint: Always install plugins before activating them [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to activate before installing
• Editing core files instead of using plugins
• Deleting plugin files manually without uninstalling

2. Which of the following is the correct way to upload a plugin ZIP file in WordPress?

easy

A. Go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin, then choose the ZIP file

B. Go to Appearance > Themes > Upload Plugin, then choose the ZIP file

C. Go to Settings > General > Upload Plugin, then choose the ZIP file

D. Go to Tools > Import > Upload Plugin, then choose the ZIP file

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate the plugin upload option

   Plugins are managed under Plugins menu, not Themes or Settings.

2. Step 2: Confirm correct menu path

   Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin is the correct path to upload ZIP files.

3. Final Answer:

   Go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin, then choose the ZIP file -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Upload plugin via Plugins menu = C [OK]

Hint: Upload plugins only under Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to upload plugins under Themes or Settings
• Uploading ZIP files in wrong menu
• Not using the Upload Plugin button

3. After installing a plugin, what will happen if you do NOT activate it?

medium

A. The plugin will automatically activate after installation

B. The plugin will delete itself after 24 hours

C. The plugin features will not be available on the site

D. The plugin will slow down the site but still work

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand plugin activation role

   Activation enables the plugin features to work on the site.

2. Step 2: Identify effect of no activation

   Without activation, the plugin is installed but inactive, so features are unavailable.

3. Final Answer:

   The plugin features will not be available on the site -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Install without activate = no features [OK]

Hint: Install alone doesn't enable features; activate is needed [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming plugins auto-activate after install
• Thinking plugins delete themselves if inactive
• Believing inactive plugins slow down site

4. You uploaded a plugin ZIP file but the plugin does not appear in the Plugins list. What is the most likely issue?

medium

A. The plugin is already active and hidden

B. The ZIP file is corrupted or not a valid plugin

C. You installed the plugin but did not refresh the page

D. You forgot to activate the plugin

Solution

1. Step 1: Check plugin upload success

   If plugin does not appear, upload likely failed due to invalid ZIP or corruption.

2. Step 2: Rule out other causes

   Activation or refresh does not affect visibility of newly uploaded plugin in list.

3. Final Answer:

   The ZIP file is corrupted or not a valid plugin -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Invalid ZIP means no plugin shown [OK]

Hint: Verify ZIP file validity if plugin missing after upload [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming activation hides plugins
• Not checking if ZIP file is valid
• Thinking page refresh shows missing plugins

5. You want to install and activate a plugin that is not in the WordPress repository. What is the correct process?

hard

A. Install the plugin from Plugins > Installed Plugins without uploading

B. Copy plugin files to the theme folder and activate from Appearance > Themes

C. Edit the wp-config.php file to add the plugin path, then refresh the site

D. Download the plugin ZIP from the developer, upload it via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin, then activate it

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify plugin source and upload method

   Plugins not in repository must be uploaded manually as ZIP files.

2. Step 2: Follow correct upload and activation steps

   Upload via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin, then activate to enable features.

3. Final Answer:

   Download the plugin ZIP from the developer, upload it via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin, then activate it -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Manual upload and activate = A [OK]

Hint: Upload ZIP from developer, then activate plugin [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Placing plugin files in theme folder
• Editing wp-config.php for plugins
• Trying to install without uploading ZIP