Step 7: Publishing & Distribution

Your plugin is ready to be shared with the world! Now, let's go through the process of publishing it on the WordPress Plugin Directory and distributing it via other platforms.

Submitting to the WordPress Plugin Directory 🚀

The WordPress Plugin Directory is the best way to reach millions of users. Follow these steps:

🔹 1. Create a WordPress.org Account

• Sign up at https://wordpress.org/ if you don’t have an account.
• Verify your email & complete your profile.

🔹 2. Submit Your Plugin for Review

1. Go to the Plugin Submission Page
2. Upload a .zip file of your plugin (without node_modules or unnecessary files).
3. Fill in the required details, including:
   • Plugin name
   • Description
   • Tags & categories
4. Submit and wait for WordPress review (takes 2-7 days).

Hosting Your Plugin on GitHub or GitLab 📦

If you want to self-host or get contributions from developers, upload your plugin to GitHub or GitLab.

🔹 Steps to Upload on GitHub

1. Initialize a Git repository in your plugin folder:

   git init
   git add .
   git commit -m "Initial commit"
   git branch -M main

2. Create a new repository on GitHub.
3. Push your code to GitHub:

   git remote add origin https://github.com/yourusername/my-noob-plugin.git
   git push -u origin main

Selling Premium Plugins 💰

If you want to sell your plugin, consider these platforms:

✅ CodeCanyon – Popular for premium plugins.

✅ Gumroad – Sell directly with a one-time payment.

✅ Freemius – Plugin monetization with licensing & subscriptions.

✅ Your Own Website – Set up WooCommerce or EDD (Easy Digital Downloads).

🔹 Offering a Free + Pro Model

Many developers use a freemium model:

• Free version on WordPress.org → Basic features.
• Paid version on your website → Advanced features.

Marketing & Promotion 📢

Your plugin won’t get popular without promotion! Use these strategies:

✅ Write a blog post – Explain why your plugin is awesome.

✅ Make a video tutorial – Show how to install & use it.

✅ Submit to WordPress groups – Facebook, Reddit, Slack.

✅ List on plugin directories – AlternativeTo, WP Hive, Product Hunt.

✅ Offer early access discounts – Attract first-time users.

Final Thoughts 🎯

Your plugin is now:

✅ Published on WordPress.org (or self-hosted)

✅ Available for free or as a premium product

✅ Optimized for marketing & distribution

✅ Ready to help WordPress users worldwide!

🚀 Congratulations! You’ve successfully built and launched a WordPress plugin! 🎉