Installing and updating plugins
Plugins add new features to WordPress. This guide explains the three installation methods, how to handle updates, and the steps to install a Rotozoom plugin — from WordPress.org or rotozoom.com — and sign in for Pro.
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 method for free plugins in the official directory — such as WooCommerce itself, or our free Rotozoom Conditions.
- Go to Plugins → Add New.
- Search for the plugin by name.
- Click Install Now, then Activate.
Method 2 — Install by uploading a .zip file
Use this method for plugins downloaded as a file — including every Rotozoom plugin from rotozoom.com.
- Download the plugin's
.zipfile to your computer (do not unzip it). - In WordPress, go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
- Click Choose File, select the
.zip, and click Install Now. - 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 comes in two editions. The WordPress.org edition is the free version and installs with Method 1 (Conditions is available today; other plugins follow as WordPress.org approves them). The rotozoom.com edition includes both Free and Pro. Activating it automatically installs Rotozoom Connect, a companion plugin that signs your site into your Rotozoom account, verifies your licence, and delivers updates. Pro requires the rotozoom.com edition and Rotozoom Connect, and some Pro features run on Rotozoom servers in the EU — each plugin's page details what is sent and why.
Step 1 — Create your Rotozoom account
Register for free at rotozoom.com/register. An account is required for Pro and licence management; the free download on each plugin's page works without one. No credit card required.
Step 2 — Download the plugin
- Log in and open your Dashboard.
- Find the plugin you want and click Download to get its
.zipfile.- For free use, that is all you need.
- For Pro, purchase the plugin first (from its page or the pricing table), install this download, and sign in through Rotozoom Connect (Step 4). If you already use the WordPress.org edition, replace it with this download to get Pro.
Step 3 — Install and activate
Follow Method 2 above: go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin, choose the .zip, click Install Now, then Activate. Upon activation, the plugin automatically installs and activates Rotozoom Connect — you will see both under Plugins, plus a Rotozoom menu in your dashboard. Keep Connect active: sign-in, licence checks, and updates depend on it.
Step 4 — Sign in with Rotozoom Connect (for Pro)
After activating, open Rotozoom in your dashboard menu and locate the Rotozoom Connect sign-in panel:
- Choose Sign in with Google, or enter your Rotozoom account email and password.
- One sign-in covers every Rotozoom plugin on the site — no need to log in separately for each one.
- Connect checks your licences with rotozoom.com and, if you own Pro for a plugin, activates its 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 plugins update from your WordPress dashboard like any other plugin: the rotozoom.com edition receives signed updates from rotozoom.com via Rotozoom Connect (Free and Pro alike), and the WordPress.org edition updates from WordPress.org.
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 — check that you installed the rotozoom.com edition (the WordPress.org edition is the free version), that Rotozoom Connect is active and signed in, and that the licence is 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.