Installation & Update¶
Before You Start¶
If you are using WordPress.com, then you cannot install plugins.
It is a common mistake for users, saying that they can’t see the plugins menu in their WordPress dashboard. It is because you are using WordPress.com, which has its limitations.
You cannot install plugins on WordPress.com unless you upgrade to their business plan. On the other hand, you can install any plugin you want on your self hosted WordPress.org website right out of the box.
If you want to switch from WordPress.com to WordPress.org, then read our tutorial on how to properly move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.
How to Install the WP-BusinessDirectory plugin¶
To make it easy, we have created the step by step tutorial on how to install the WP-BusinessDirectory WordPress plugin.
We have covered all three methods: installing the plugin using search, uploading the plugin, and manually installing the directory plugin using FTP.
Install the free version of WP-BusinessDirectory plugin using WordPress Plugin Search¶
The easiest way of installing the WP-BusinessDirectory plugin is to use the plugin search. This method will provide the possibility to install only the free version. First thing you need to do is go to your WordPress admin area and click on Plugins » Add New.
You will see a screen like the one in the screenshot above. Find the plugin by typing the WP-BusinessDirectory text you will retrieve the image below, and then click on Install Now button, and then on Activate button.
The WP-BusinessDirectory plugin can be installed on your site, but it will not work unless you activate it. So go ahead and click on the activate plugin link to activate the plugin on your WordPress site.
Install the pro version WP-BusinessDirectory plugin using the Admin Plugin Upload¶
Paid WordPress plugins are not listed in the WordPress plugin directory. These plugins cannot be installed using the first method.
That’s why WordPress has the Upload method to install such plugins. We will show you how to install pro version of WP-BusinessDirectory plugin using the upload option in the admin area.
First, you need to download the plugin from our store (which will be a zip file). Next, you need to go to WordPress admin area and visit Plugins » Add New page.
After that, click on the Upload Plugin button on top of the page.
This will bring you to the plugin upload page. Here you need to click on the choose file button and select the plugin file you downloaded earlier to your computer.
After you have selected the file, you need to click on the install now button.
WordPress will now upload the plugin file from your computer and install it for you. You will see a success message like this after the installation is finished.
Once installed, you need to click on the Activate Plugin link to start using the plugin.
You would have to configure the settings to fit your needs. These settings will be presented later in this user manual.
Manually Install the WP-BusinessDirectory plugin using FTP¶
In some cases, your WordPress hosting provider may have file restrictions that could limit your ability to install a plugin from the admin area.
In this situation, your best bet is to install the plugin manually using FTP.
The FTP manager method is the least friendly for beginners.
First you will need to download the plugin’s source file (it will be a zip file). Next, you need to extract the zip file on your computer.
Extracting the plugin zip file will create a new folder - wp-businessdirectory. This is the folder that you need to manually upload to your website using a FTP client.
You would need to access your host through the FTP manager. If you do not have your FTP username and password, then contact your WordPress hosting provider and ask them.
Open the FTP client on your computer and connect to your website using the login credentials provided by your web host. Once connected, you need to access the path /wp-content/plugins/
Next, upload the folder you extracted from the zip file to the /wp-content/plugins/ folder on your web server.
After uploading the files, you need to visit the WordPress admin area and click on the Plugins link in the admin menu. You will see the WP-BusinessDirectory plugin successfully installed on the plugins page.
You need to click on the Activate link below the plugin. Upon activating, you may need to configure the plugin settings, which you will be presented later in the user manual.