Installing and updating plugins

Plugins are how you add new features to WordPress. This guide explains the three ways to install one, how to keep plugins updated, and the specific steps for installing a Rotozoom plugin and connecting your licence.

What a plugin is

A plugin is a small package of code that adds a feature to your site — a contact form, a backup tool, or in our case a product filter or AI assistant. You manage all of them under Plugins in your WordPress dashboard. Installing a plugin does two things: it adds the files to your site, and then you activate it to switch the feature on.

Method 1 — Install from the WordPress.org directory

Use this for free plugins listed in the official directory (for example WooCommerce itself).

  1. Go to Plugins → Add New.
  2. Search for the plugin by name.
  3. Click Install Now, then Activate.

Method 2 — Install by uploading a .zip file

Use this for plugins you download as a file — including Rotozoom plugins.

  1. Download the plugin's .zip file to your computer (do not unzip it).
  2. In WordPress, go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
  3. Click Choose File, select the .zip, and click Install Now.
  4. When it finishes, click Activate Plugin.

Method 3 — Manual install via FTP (advanced)

Only needed if uploading a .zip is blocked by a file-size limit. You unzip the plugin on your computer and upload the resulting folder to wp-content/plugins/ using an FTP program, then activate it under Plugins. Most users never need this.

Installing a Rotozoom plugin

Every Rotozoom plugin uses one account on rotozoom.com. The free and Pro versions are the same download — Pro features switch on automatically once your licence is connected.

Step 1 — Create your Rotozoom account

Register for free at rotozoom.com/register. No credit card is required to download free plugins.

Step 2 — Download the plugin

  1. Log in and open your Dashboard.
  2. Find the plugin you want and click Download to get its .zip file.
    • For free use, that is all you need.
    • For Pro, purchase the plugin first (from the plugin card or the pricing table); the same download then unlocks Pro features once connected.

Step 3 — Install and activate

Follow Method 2 above: Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin, choose the .zip, Install Now, then Activate.

Step 4 — Connect your licence (for Pro)

After activating, open the plugin's settings page (Rotozoom plugins add their own menu item or a Connect / Licence tab):

  1. Find the Connect or Licence section.
  2. Enter the email and password of your Rotozoom account and connect.
  3. The plugin checks your licence with rotozoom.com and, if you own Pro for that plugin, activates the Pro features automatically.

That's it — there are no long licence keys to copy and paste.

One licence, one active site at a time

Each Pro licence is active on one site at a time. This is ideal for moving a licence between a staging site and a live site, or from an old site to a new one:

  • The first site you connect becomes the active site automatically.
  • To move the licence, open your Dashboard, find the plugin, and use "Change site" to release it — then connect on the new site.
  • If a plugin shows as Free when you expected Pro, it usually means the licence is currently active on a different site. Check the dashboard, which shows "Active on: [site]" for each licence.

Agencies: if you manage many client stores, Rotozoom offers discounted multi-site agency packages. See the For Agencies page.

Keeping plugins updated

Updates bring new features, security fixes and compatibility with the latest WordPress and WooCommerce. Always keep plugins updated.

  • When an update is available you will see a notice under Plugins and a number badge on the menu.
  • Click Update Now next to the plugin, or select several and use bulk update.
  • Rotozoom Pro plugins update straight from your WordPress dashboard, just like directory plugins — once your licence is connected, new versions appear automatically.

Before a big update

  • Back up your site first. Managed hosts often do this automatically; otherwise use a backup plugin.
  • Update one major plugin at a time and check your store still works afterwards.
  • Keep WordPress core and WooCommerce updated too — plugins are tested against current versions.

Troubleshooting installs

  • "The uploaded file exceeds the maximum size" — your host limits upload size. Ask support to raise it, or use Method 3 (FTP).
  • A plugin caused an error after activating — deactivate it under Plugins. If you cannot reach the dashboard, rename the plugin's folder in wp-content/plugins/ via FTP to force it off.
  • Pro features not showing — confirm the licence is connected and not active on another site (see One licence, one active site above).

You're ready

You can now install, connect and update any Rotozoom plugin. To learn what each one does in depth, head to the Plugin Manuals section — start with the Product Filter.

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