How To Add A Download Link In WordPress

Are you looking to share files, documents, or resources with your WordPress website visitors? Adding a download link can be a great way to provide valuable content for your audience. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to add a download link in WordPress, whether it’s a simple link or a stylish download button.

Why Add a Download Link?

• Provide Resources: Offer downloadable resources like e-books, whitepapers, and guides.
• Enhance User Experience: Allow visitors to easily access and save important documents.
• Boost Engagement: Increase visitor interaction with your website by offering valuable content

How To Add A Download Link In WordPress

If you want to give the downloadable file in your post or page, you’ll have to insert a downloadable link. After reading this blog post, you’ll be able to make links downloadable.

Let’s begin now!

Step 1: Get the Download File URL

Before you can create a download link, you need to have the URL of the file you want to make available for download. This could be a PDF, a document, an image, or any other type of file.

Upload the File:

• If you haven’t already, log in to your WordPress dashboard.
• Go to the Media Library and click on “Add New” to upload the file you want to share.
• Once uploaded, copy the file’s URL. 

Step 2: Add Download File Link on Your Post

Now that you have the file URL, you can create a download link in your WordPress post or page.

1. Open Your Post: Create a new post or edit an existing one.
2. Add Link: Select the text or image you want to turn into a download link. Click the “Add Link” button in the toolbar (looks like a chain link).
3. Insert URL: In the link popup, paste the file URL you copied earlier into the “URL” field.
4. Set Link Text: Enter the text that you want to display for the link. This could be something like “Download Now.”
5. Open in New Tab (Optional): If you want the file to open in a new tab when clicked, click the “Open link in a new tab” option.
6. Apply Changes: Click the “Add Link” button to create the download link.

How to Make the File Download Automatically

By default, when a user clicks a download link, the browser might display the file in a new tab or window. However, if you want the file to be downloaded automatically, you can add a special attribute to the link.

1. Edit Link: In the post editor, locate the edit as the HTML. 
2. Insert Attribute: Add download to the link’s HTML, like this: <a href="file-url-here" download>Download Now</a>. This attribute prompts the browser to download the file rather than open it.

How to Create a Download Button

If you prefer a more visually appealing way to present your download link, you can create a download button using a combination of HTML and CSS.

1. HTML: Insert the following HTML code in the HTML editor of your post:

<a href="file-url-here" class="download-button">Download Now</a>

CSS: Add custom CSS to style your download button. You can do this in your theme’s stylesheet or through a customizer:

.download-button {
    display: inline-block;
    padding: 10px 20px;
    background-color: #007bff;
    color: #fff;
    text-decoration: none;
    border-radius: 5px;
}
.download-button:hover {
    background-color: #0056b3;
}