Cluttered files and folders can make your WordPress dashboard hard to navigate and even harder to effectively use.
The WP File Download plugin offers a solution with its drag-and-drop file management system. Using this plugin, you can upload files and categorize them for easy access later. There’s also the option to sync the tool with your Dropbox account.
Let’s explore how WP File Download can help save you time and boost productivity.
Why You Need a File Manager in WordPress
The default WordPress setup lets you put your videos and images into one media folder. As a result, it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you produce a high volume of content with multiple media files in a single blog post.
With WP File Download, file management is built into your WordPress dashboard. You can arrange files however you prefer and then upload them to your posts and pages without leaving WordPress. The result? You save time and effort, letting you focus on creating great content.
Key Features of WP File Download
The WP File Download plugin is designed to make your life easier. Here’s a look at some of the features that help accomplish this goal.
File Manager Themes
In WP File Download, all of your files and categories are managed from your WordPress editor with an auto-saving function. You can select from five themes that each offer different display formats: Default, Google Drive, Table, Accordion File Tree, and File Preview.
The plugin gives you the flexibility to choose a theme for each category and override each parameter within the category. Want to create your own theme? No problem. With one-click configuration, you can clone and modify an existing theme. Below is an example of a table theme.
Advanced File Search Engine
Managing a large number of files takes time. The WP File Download plugin reduces your workload with an advanced file search engine.
Simply search for keywords or add a filter to locate files by the date they were created, then preview any files in the search results before you open them.
File Permissions
As the WordPress admin, you have access to all files and data. You can extend file visibility to other members of your team by granting access and permissions. WP File Download lets you fine-tune this access by allowing you to specify which files and folders are shared with specific users, such as authors or contributors. You can also control who executes specific actions on files and categories.
Let’s say you run an e-commerce website. Your new photographer handles all the product images and needs access to your design files. You can simply create a Photographer category in the plugin and only give them access to edit the “Design” file category.
Email Notifications
If you work on a large team, it can be difficult to track the changes that happen to each file. WP File Download eliminates this issue by recording any changes to your files, then emails you about specific changes, such as new file uploads or removals.
This provides file continuity and makes it easy to pinpoint who made changes, when, and why.
File Download Statistics
When using WP File Download, you can share downloadable files, like ebooks and white papers, with your visitors. If a visitor is connected to their WordPress account at the time of the download, you can also track the files downloaded by that WordPress user account.
You can then leverage that data to create your own statistics dashboard with filters, such as multiple file category selection, single file selection, and date range. The plugin also integrates with Google Analytics to help you analyze your data.
Upgrading Your WP File Download Plugin
WP File Download is a premium plugin with three pricing tiers: Start, Pro and Pro+Addons.
The Start tier is $29 for a full 6 months and includes multi-domain and multi-site file management support. The Pro tier costs $39 for an entire year of WP File Download Plugin, making it more cost-effective for a longer term.
Upgrading to Pro+Addons, meanwhile, costs $69 for one year and comes with additional functionality including:
Cloud Connectors
WP File Download Cloud add-on connects and synchronizes your WordPress file manager with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. The two-way synchronization allows you to upload files in the plugin and then access and manage the files through your chosen cloud storage service. This feature is perfect when you’re short on time and can’t access your WordPress dashboard.
Social Locker
When integrated with WP File Download, Social Locker will lock your file downloads behind social media buttons. To receive the download, your website visitors must like or share the content on Facebook or Twitter. This strategy helps improve your social engagement and attracts more traffic to your website.
Keeping it Clean
Your WordPress media library doesn’t have to be messy and unorganized. With WP File Download, you can choose how to arrange your files, give access to specific user roles, and receive email notifications about file changes. Start saving time today with the WP File Download plugin.
Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
