Magento comes with a number of extensions that you can use on your e-commerce website to intensify it with some amazing features. The only other option to get these features is to get them coded with the help of a developer.

All thanks to the Magento Community, where you can find every kind of features for sale that will help to improve the look and performance of your online shopping site. This has been made possible by the enduring efforts of thousands of staunch Magento developers. So you can simply select a feature that you want and get it installed on your site.

You can install Magento extensions in 3 ways:

  1. Uploading files to FTP straightaway

  2. Installing via Magento Connect

  3. Via SSH

Though the second method is the easiest one, we recommend most of our users to go for the first method as it is the best practice.

So here in this post, we will see the step-by-step guide on how you can install the updates based on the first method. You can also find here a general idea regarding the other two installation methods.

Things to take care of before installation: 

Gather everything that you will need for the installation before you really start doing it.

  • You will need to get the product key from the Magento Connect in case you are opting for a free extension.

  • You will need to download all the files that you have received from the developer if you have chosen to install a paid extension. You may also need to download the license key if it applies.

  • If you are installing the extension from Magento Connect you may be able to upload the files and product keys, but it is not necessary that it may work well.

  • To get the best result, better try uploading the files to the FTP root directory directly.

  • In case, you have the product key and you are trying to install the extension using FTP, you can use freegento to get the latest version.

Uploading extensions via FTP:

  1. Get the extension folder on the root directory: Once you have decided to install the Magento extensions for your store, you need to extract the files from the zip folder with extension. Once you have done this, simply copy the App folder. With the help of FTP, paste it into the store root directory.

  1. Take safety measures: Visit the admin panel of Magento and do the following things so that everything runs smoothly.

  • Make sure you are having the backup of your online store. If don’t then just create one by following the path – system > tools > backup. If anything goes wrong you will be safe.

  • Stop compilations through system > tools > Compilations

  • Clear all your cache by the following step – system > Cache Management. Choose the refresh option from the dropdown list once you have selected all the files and lastly, click on the ‘Submit’ button.

  • Finally, log out and then again log in to the admin panel.

  1. Initialize the extension: 

    Visit system > Configuration 

    On the left bar, you will see the option “Licenses”. If the extension needs one, then just enter its key here beside the extension name. The developers provide the license key when you purchase the extension from them. The license key that you find here is very much different from the product key that comes with free extensions provided by Magento Connect.

    Once you are done with it, click on Save config and wait for the message which tells you that the extension was successfully installed and is activated.

  1. Confirm the installation process: The best way to know whether your extension has been installed is to visit Advanced > Developer. Now look for the new extension under the list of disable modules output. If you find it there it means your attempt was fruitful. Now you can configure the extension according to your needs from extension settings.

Using Magento Connect to install extensions: In case you are trying to install free extensions using product key or else you failed to install the extensions manually, you can get it done with the help of Magento Connect. You can go to the marketplace and get the product key to install the extension with Magento Connect.

So now, visit the admin panel and go to system > Magento connect > Magento connect manager. You can access this area with the same credentials that you use to login to the admin panel.

On the screen, you will be shown all the levels of processes and Magento will ask you to upload the extension files or provide the license key. Magento Connect will automatically take the backup and clear cache so it won’t be necessary to do it manually.

Keep in mind that Magento connect sometimes upload files that are not needed and so uploading extension can cause a glitch.

Using SSH to upload extensions: In case you are planning to upload extensions without using a downloader UI on your local development area, you can opt for installation through SSH. The process is very simple! All you have to do is to download the extension file and extract it. Now copy everything into a single code and insert into the SSH terminal.

Support for installation: In case you are using Magento for the first time or else you were facing problems while uploading the extensions, it would be better to hire Magento developer. They may charge you a small fee but at the end of the day, you will get 100% authentic support. This will get you off the headache and save your precious time. Most of the developers provide 24*7 support to make sure that the clients don’t have to suffer for the another minute.

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