A Guide to Finding and Installing GPL Plugins for WordPress

WordPress is one of the most popular and powerful content management systems (CMS) in the world. It powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, and it offers a lot of flexibility and functionality for users and developers alike.

One of the reasons why WordPress is so versatile is because of its plugins. Plugins are pieces of software that extend the features and capabilities of WordPress. They can help you add new functionalities, improve your site’s performance, enhance your site’s design, and much more.

But how do you find and install the right plugins for your WordPress site? And what are the legal implications of using plugins that are licensed under the General Public License (GPL)?

In this guide, we will answer these questions and show you how to find and install GPL plugins for WordPress.

What are GPL Plugins for WordPress?

GPL plugins for WordPress are plugins that are licensed under the General Public License (GPL). The GPL is a free and open-source software licence that grants users the following freedoms:

• The freedom to run the software for any purpose
• The freedom to study how the software works and modify it to suit your needs
• The freedom to redistribute copies of the software
• The freedom to distribute modified versions of the software
• The GPL also requires that any derivative work of GPL software must also be licensed under the GPL. This means that if you modify a GPL plugin, you must also release it under the GPL and share your source code with others.

The GPL is the same licence that WordPress itself uses, and it reflects the philosophy and values of the WordPress community. By using GPL plugins, you are supporting the open-source movement and contributing to the development and improvement of WordPress.

How to Find GPL Plugins for WordPress?

There are many sources where you can find GPL plugins for WordPress. Some of them are:

• The official WordPress plugin directory: This is the most reliable and trustworthy source of GPL plugins for WordPress. All plugins in this directory are reviewed and tested by the WordPress team, and they are guaranteed to be compatible with the latest version of WordPress. You can browse through thousands of free plugins in various categories, such as security, SEO, e-commerce, social media, etc. You can also search for plugins by keyword, rating, popularity, or last updated date.

• Third-party marketplaces: There are also many third-party marketplaces that sell premium GPL plugins for WordPress. These are usually paid plugins that offer more advanced features and support than free plugins. Some examples of these marketplaces are CodeCanyon, ThemeForest, GPLPlus, etc. However, you should be careful when buying plugins from these sources, as some of them may not be trustworthy or may not provide regular updates or support. You should always check the reviews, ratings, and reputation of the seller before making a purchase.

• GPL sites: These are sites that offer access to a large collection of premium GPL plugins for WordPress for a low price or a subscription fee. These sites usually buy the original plugins from their developers and then resell them or distribute them to their members. Some examples of these sites are WP99.in, GPLAdda.in, etc. However, these sites may not be legal or ethical, as they may violate the terms and conditions of the original developers or may not provide proper credit or attribution. You should also be aware of the risks and disadvantages of using these sites, such as lack of updates, support, documentation, or security.

How to Install GPL Plugins for WordPress?

Once you have found a GPL plugin that you want to use for your WordPress site, you need to install it on your site. There are two main ways to install a plugin on WordPress:

• From the WordPress dashboard: This is the easiest and most convenient way to install a plugin on WordPress. You can do this by following these steps:
• Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Plugins > Add New.
• If you are installing a free plugin from the official WordPress plugin directory, you can search for it by name or keyword in the search box. Then click on Install Now next to the plugin that you want to install.
• If you are installing a premium plugin from a third-party marketplace or a GPL site, you need to download the plugin file (usually a ZIP file) from the source first. Then click on Upload Plugin at the top of the page and choose the file from your computer. Then click on Install Now.
• After installing the plugin, you need to activate it by clicking on Activate Plugin.
• You may also need to configure some settings or options for the plugin according to your preferences or needs.
• Via FTP: This is another way to install a plugin on WordPress, especially if you have trouble installing it from the dashboard. 

You can do this by following these steps:

• Download the plugin file (usually a ZIP file) from the source and unzip it on your computer.
• Connect to your WordPress site via FTP using an FTP client, such as FileZilla, Cyberduck, etc.
• Navigate to the wp-content/plugins folder on your site and upload the plugin folder that you unzipped on your computer.
• Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. You should see the plugin that you uploaded in the list of plugins. Click on Activate to activate it.
• You may also need to configure some settings or options for the plugin according to your preferences or needs.

Tips and Best Practices for Using GPL Plugins for WordPress

Using GPL plugins for WordPress can be a great way to enhance your site’s functionality and performance. However, you should also be aware of some tips and best practices for using them safely and effectively. Here are some of them:

• Always backup your site before installing or updating a plugin. This will help you restore your site in case something goes wrong or breaks your site.
• Always check the compatibility and quality of a plugin before installing it. You can do this by looking at the plugin’s description, screenshots, ratings, reviews, support forum, changelog, etc. You should also make sure that the plugin is compatible with your WordPress version, theme, and other plugins.
• Always update your plugins regularly. This will help you fix any bugs, improve security, and get new features and improvements. You can update your plugins from the WordPress dashboard or via FTP.
• Always delete or deactivate any plugins that you are not using. This will help you reduce clutter, save space, and improve your site’s speed and performance.
• Always respect the license and the rights of the original developers. You should not claim ownership or credit for a plugin that you did not create or modify. You should also not sell or distribute a plugin without permission or attribution.

Conclusion

GPL plugins for WordPress are plugins that are licensed under the General Public License (GPL), which gives users the freedom to use, modify and share WordPress code. You can find and install GPL plugins for WordPress from various sources, such as the official WordPress plugin directory, third-party marketplaces, or GPL sites. However, you should also be careful and responsible when using GPL plugins for WordPress, and follow some tips and best practices for using them safely and effectively.