Can Users Install Applications on WordPress? A Complete Guide

Unfortunately, users cannot install typical applications on their personal computers directly by using the WordPress as it is a content management system (CMS) designed to create websites, blogs, and online shops. However, WordPress can load plugins and themes – these are equivalent to applications in their ability to add functionality to the platform.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a platform for building websites without coding. WordPress allows you to manage your own website without being tech savvy. Its user-friendly features let users add images, texts and videos with simple tools. You can start a blog, or an online store with the help of WordPress. Some key points are : 

• User friendly interface.
• Customizable designs and plugins i.e extra features. 
• Free to use with some paid options available. 
• Can be used to build blogs, business sites, online stores, and portfolios. 
• Community Support is provided by people who are already using wordpress in case you have any questions. 

How to Use WordPress

Following is a step by step guide on how to use WordPress: 

1. Visit the website WordPress.com and sign up for a free or paid account. 
2. Choose a domain name i.e. the address of your website. The domain can be free as well as paid. It is paid if you want a custom name. 
3. Choose how your site looks by selecting a theme or design. 
4. Add a logo if you want to or if you have one. 
5. Customize the font, the colors and the layout of your site. 
6. Go to the “Pages” section to add content like “Home”, “About”, and “Contact”
7. If you are starting a blog, create new blog entries in the “Posts” section. 
8. Search for “Plugins” to install extra features. 
9. Preview option can be used to see how your site looks. 
10. Whenever you are ready, you can hit the Publish option. 
11. Promote your website on social media to attract more visitors. 
12. Keep adding new content on a regular basis. 
13. Check how many visitors you are getting in order to monitor your site and content. You can also look for what content is usually popular. 

What are Applications on WordPress?

Applications or Plugins are small tools that can be installed to your website extra features. There are plenty of plugins available for installation, paid as well as unpaid. Here are some of the common features of plugins: 

• It helps your sites rank better on search engines.
• It helps set up an online store and sell products or render services. 
• Makes it easy for visitors to share the content on social media.
• Security plugins can protect your site from spams and hackers. 
• Speeds the process up by loading images and files faster. 
• Displays images in stylish customized layouts. 
• It can automatically save copies of your website to prevent loss of data. 
• Can help make your website available in multiple languages. 
• Track the visitor traffic which in turn helps monitor your performance. 

Can users install applications on WordPress

Yes, users can install applications on WordPress, but only when they are using WordPress.org (self hosted) or have a business plan or higher with WordPress.com. Following are the steps to install applications aka plugins on WordPress:

1. Go to your dashboard on WordPress and login to your website. 
2. Go to the “Plugins” option on the menu, and click on “add new”
3. Search for the Plugin you want, for example, contact forms, social media marketing, speed up your site, SEO, analytics, backup, translate your site, etc. 
4. Once you find the Plugin you need, click on the “Install now” option next to it. 
5. After the plugin has been successfully installed, click on the “Activate” option in order to enable the installed application on your website. 
6. Some plugins have settings that can be adjusted. In this case, you will see settings option or menu item where the plugin can be configured. 

What is a Plugin ZIP File

A plugin ZIP file is a compressed folder containing all the files required to install plugins on WordPress. When you download the plugin from a third party, it comes with a ZIP format. 

The files are compressed so as to make the uploading and downloading easier. 

Inside the ZIP file, there is information like the plugin code, settings, image, and other information and files that help make it work. 

You simply have to upload the ZIP file on your WordPress site and it will automatically install and activate the application from that ZIP file.