Easy Steps to Develop Your Own Custom WordPress Plugin

If you’re looking to incorporate custom code into your WordPress website, creating a custom WordPress plugin is a simple and secure approach. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of developing a custom WordPress plugin using two different plugins. Let’s get started!

Method 1: Creating a WordPress Plugin with WPCode

WPCode is a free and user-friendly plugin that allows you to seamlessly add custom code to your WordPress site. Here’s how you can create your own custom WordPress plugin using WPCode:

1. Install and activate the WPCode plugin on your WordPress site.
2. Access the “Code Snippets” menu in your WordPress dashboard, and click on “Add Snippet.”
3. Within the Code Snippets menu, choose “Add Your Custom Code” and then select “Use snippet” to create a custom plugin.
4. Provide a title for your custom plugin to help you identify it in the dashboard, and select “PHP” as the code type.
5. Copy and paste or type your code into the code editor. For example, you can create a plugin that displays random facts on the WordPress dashboard.
6. Select whether the code should automatically insert and execute or if you prefer to use shortcode to display the content on specific pages or posts.
7. Determine where you want the code to appear – in the WordPress admin area, the front-end of your site, or both.
8. Add relevant tags to organize your custom plugins effectively.
9. Switch the toggle from “Inactive” to “Active” to activate the custom plugin.
10. Click on “Save Snippet” to make the custom plugin live on your WordPress site.

Your custom plugin is now active, and you can observe its effect in the WordPress admin area. To deactivate the plugin, simply navigate to the “Code Snippets” menu and switch the toggle to “Deactivated.”

Method 2: Creating a WordPress Plugin with Pluginception

Pluginception is another useful plugin that allows you to create a new blank plugin by supplying basic information like the plugin’s name and version number. Here’s how you can use Pluginception to create your custom WordPress plugin:

1. Install and activate the Pluginception plugin on your WordPress site.
2. Head to the “Create a New Plugin” menu under the “Plugins” tab in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Enter all the necessary information about your custom plugin, including the title and description.
4. Click on “Create a blank plugin and activate it.”
5. You’ll be redirected to the plugin editor screen, where you can begin writing your custom code. Simply type or paste your code at the bottom of the file.
6. After finishing the code, click on the “Update File” button.
7. If there are no errors in your code, the plugin will be active on your WordPress site. In case of any errors, make the necessary fixes and click on “Update File” again to make the plugin live.
8. You can manage the custom plugin just like any other plugin. To deactivate or delete it, go to the “Installed Plugins” menu under the “Plugins” tab.

If you need to update the code of your custom plugin, go to the “Plugin File Editor” menu under the “Plugins” tab. Select the plugin you wish to edit, make the necessary changes, and click on “Update File” to apply the updates.

In conclusion, developing a custom WordPress plugin using a plugin is a secure and convenient method to add custom code to your website without the risk of errors or issues. Whether you choose WPCode or Pluginception, both methods are beginner-friendly and offer flexible options for managing your custom plugins.

We hope this guide has helped you learn how to create a custom WordPress plugin using a plugin. For more helpful WordPress tips and tutorials, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.