What Is a Plugin?

The term plugin or plugins refers to software. Think of it as a piece of software code that you can “plug in” to another software application — hence the name “plugin.”

It became part of popular vernacular over the past decade as more ordinary citizens flocked online and became Web savvy.

To answer the question “what is a plugin,” it is a piece of add-on software that helps make the base software do what it doesn’t normally do by itself. In fact, sometimes instead of using the word plugin you will see the word “extension” or “add-on.” We’re not going to get terribly technical here, so for our purposes today consider the three terms to be interchangeable.

Plugin is also a term commonly used in connection with WordPress blogging software. Plugins add bells and whistles to WordPress.

What Do You Do With a Plugin?

In a nutshell, you download and install plugins to make whatever software you are using more feature-rich. But, you probably are dying to know, how hard is it to install a plugin? The answer is: it depends.

First you must find a plugin. Usually there’s an official directory of plugins for popular base software packages.

You simply search until you find what you’re looking for, or until you find something interesting.

WordPress software, you may have to install the plugin on your server where your WordPress software resides. Depending on the hosting company you use, this may require technical help. Some hosting companies make a limited selection of popular WordPress plugins easy to install, even for non-technical people. With other hosts, you’re completely on your own.

The WordPress Plugin Directory has over 30,000 plugins covering categories such as spam filters, SEO optimizers, contact forms, newsletters, and optimizing for a mobile screen.

Using some of these plugins, you can turn a basic website or blog into an eCommerce store or something equally advanced.
Plugin Site Description
Plugin Site

Description

Add-Ons For Firefox While Firefox refers to them as "add-ons," they function as plugins, adding extra features to the browser beyond its default capabilities. The directory offers various categories for easy navigation.
Chrome Web Store Google Chrome's plugin depository, where users can explore a wide range of plugins to enhance their browsing experience. Different categories help users find plugins tailored to their needs.
Apache Open Office Extensions Apache Open Office provides extensions, which are akin to plugins, offering additional functionality to the software. The site hosts numerous extensions, including PDF conversion and more.
WordPress Plugin Directory The WordPress Plugin Directory boasts a vast collection of over 30,000 plugins. These plugins cater to different needs, including spam filters, SEO optimization, contact forms, and mobile optimization.