Let’s say you wanted to create a WordPress plugin. Maybe you saw a gap in the current plugins, or you wanted to make your own version of a popular plugin because you feel you can make a better one. That’s a great idea—but did you know that building a WordPress plugin is only half the battle?
That’s right! The real challenge lies in making sure you can truly show off its capabilities. After all, if no one knows how your plugin works or what it can do to help them, why would they download and install it on their website, right?
The problem is that the usual way of setting up a demo environment can be time-consuming and filled with technical hurdles. And if you’re a plugin developer, you’d rather not have to deal with complex configurations, compatibility issues, and the constant need for environment resets, agree?
Well, if you build a plugin demo with InstaWP, you’ll have it easy. And if you’re wondering how to do that, keep on reading. We’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to use InstaWP to effortlessly create a WordPress plugin demo in seconds and quickly showcase your plugin’s unique features and functionalities.
Importance of Building a WordPress Plugin Demo
Now you might be thinking that creating a WordPress plugin demo is a hassle. Can’t you just release it into the WordPress website and then just plug it into social media? You could also cold email or cold message people on LinkedIn so that they can learn more about your plugin.
Well, yes, you could do that, but building a WordPress plugin demo is actually great for marketing your plugin. For one thing, that’s one way people will know that your plugin is indeed truly great.
It’s like letting them test drive it, letting them experience your plugin’s standout features and benefits, how it integrates in their current WordPress setup, and how it can make their lives easier.
Here are a few more reasons why you should invest some time in making a WordPress plugin demo.
A plugin demo can help you identify issues.
Let’s accept reality: usually, first versions of any creation have flaws or bugs, right? And that’s the danger in wanting to release a plugin in the WordPress ecosystem super fast: if you let it out and people start installing it and find that it’s full of bugs, they’re not going to be happy. And that’s going to reflect on you as a plugin developer; people may not see you as trustworthy.
The demo can help you find and fix problems early, which will build trust in your plugin’s quality and effectiveness.
You can get feedback.
Related to the above is that demo will let you gather valuable feedback from early potential users. That way, you can really make it better once you do a wide release of your plugin. Of course, make sure to listen to your customers!
You can market your plugin better.
A demo is a powerful marketing tool because you can share the link to it on various platforms. Think of the demo as a mini-show—when people watch your demo and even try it out, they can understand how your plugin works and why it’s useful. This makes them more interested, and they might want to use your plugin on their own websites.
You can encourage word-of-mouth.
Another great thing about demos is that it will encourage people to talk about your plugin with people they know. Let’s say someone really enjoyed testing out your plugin—the good news is that you won’t need to encourage them to share it. If they see how useful it is, they’ll do the sharing for you and effectively increase your plugin’s reach.
You can educate your customers better about your offering.
A demo is like a mini-class for your customers. It lets them see and use your plugin themselves, instead of just reading about what your plugin does. And when customers really get how your plugin helps, they’re more likely to install it on their actual websites.
Guide to Building a Plugin Demo using InstaWP
Now, as mentioned earlier, building a WordPress plugin demo can be tedious. And it’s not really ideal if you want to release your creation into the market already, especially if you want to be faster than your competitors. The need for a streamlined, hassle-free demonstration platform is more crucial in this case.
That’s where InstaWP comes in—and where the promised guide of how to use InstaWP to create plugin demos. Companies like Barn2 and GravityKit have already done this—and now you can, too!
Here’s what you need to do to set up a plugin demo via InstaWP.
Sign Up To InstaWP.
You need an account to InstaWP, of course. Sign up here!
Create A Site.
On your Dashboard, click the Add New + button.
This will pop up:
See the flag? Click on it—it’s important to change your Server Location nearest to your audience’s actual location so that they can experience a good product demonstration experience.
When you’re done, click on the Create Site button and InstaWP will make your site. When this appears:
Click on the Magic Login button to proceed, and you’ll arrive at your WordPress sandbox admin dashboard:
Now that you’re here, you can proceed to install your plugin. While you’re here, you can also:
- Choose and install a theme for your site, then set up a welcoming landing page for demo users. Think about your branding, if you will, and make it reflect even in your demo.
- Add some content, like even just one blog post, to make the demo experience more realistic.
- You can also include instructions in the Dashboard regarding using your plugin via custom code or by adding a specific plugin.
- Update the fields in the ‘Settings > General’ section of your WordPress site.
Once these steps are complete, you’re all set to proceed to the next stage.
Save Your Site As A Shared Template.
You need to make your site as a Shared Template so that you can make your test site accessible to everyone who is a potential customer. To do this, go back to your InstaWP Dashboard, then look for your demo site name, then click the square looking icon on the right, as seen in the picture.
This will pop up:
Give your Template a name with a description. And then see the private/shared option? Make sure that it’s marked as Shared so that you can share them with potential clients.
Do take note that these details will be visible to anyone using the product demo as well as search engines, so take these details seriously!
You can also slide the indicator for Instant Templates to make it one and get faster loading speeds in the process.
Customize Your Template.
Now, you want to make sure your template reflects your brand, so before sharing the link to anyone, customize it. Go to Templates in your Dashboard, look for your test site, then click the notepad look icon to edit it:
Now, you will find various options to help you control and customize your product demos more efficiently:
Here’s a quick overview of the different options.
- Setup: Here, you can change your template’s name, description, and other essential settings. Check out this document for more details.
- Branding: Go to this section to customize your product demo and make it more like your brand. You can upload your logo, add an email template, add a custom CSS, and more. Read Edit Branding document for a more detailed overview.
- Gallery: This is where you add one or more images related to your WordPress plugin demo landing page.
- Advanced Options: You can get a full explanation here, but some options under here include making sure demo sites don’t get deleted; collecting email addresses; and option for choosing email providers.
At this point, your plugin demo site is built! The last step you need to do is…
Share Your Link.
You’re now welcome to share the link to your created WordPress plugin demo site. To get the link, just go back to the Templates section, look for the Shared Templates, look for your site, and then see that green Shared option near the name of your template?
Click on it, and this will happen:
You now have the link which you can use on your landing pages, emails, social media—pretty much anywhere!
Benefits of Configuring a Live Plugin Demo for Your Prospects
Still find it time-consuming? Well, just think that there are actually immense benefits of investing some time in demonstrating your product or plugin:
It can increase your plugin’s adoption rate.
A WordPress plugin demo effectively demonstrates the plugin’s capabilities in action. By focusing on the key features and functionalities, the demo simplifies understanding of how the plugin operates. This hands-on approach makes it easier for your potential customers to grasp its usability and how it will improve their workflow.
As a result, this can significantly boost its adoption as they can clearly see its benefits and how to use it.
You clear up uncertainty and increase trust.
People often hesitate to spend money when they feel like they’re not getting the full picture of what they’re interested in buying.
That’s where having a demo can make a big difference—it lays everything out in the open, allowing potential users to explore and understand your plugin in detail. This transparency helps eliminate any doubts they might have, as they can see and experience the plugin’s features firsthand.
Also, consider the fact that the demo offers potential customers a safe space for testing, away from the risks of trying something new on their live website. This consideration shows that you value their concerns and the integrity of their site. Such a thoughtful approach can significantly boost their confidence in you and make them want to work with you, knowing that they’re in good hands.
You create a strong first impression.
Let’s be honest: that plugin you’ve thought of? It may not exactly be super original, or some other more popular plugins slightly overlap with its functions. So what can you do to stand out and be top of mind for people looking for plugins like yours?
Well, the demo will help! If your plugin is a movie, think of the demo as your movie trailer—it will grab people’s attention, make a lasting impression, and make them want to catch its release in cinemas. Get potential users excited by showcasing your plugin’s best parts!
You’ll get better user engagement.
Sometimes, your plugin might not be getting the attention it deserves because people don’t understand how it works or why they need it. A demo can help clear up this confusion. It’s like when you get to play with a new toy, and suddenly, you really want it because you see how fun it is.
The same goes for your plugin—once users see it in action, they’re more likely to get excited about it and want to use it on their own WordPress websites.
Conclusion
Building a WordPress plugin demo is not just a step towards showcasing your plugin’s capabilities; it’s a strategic move to get more eyes on your product and help it stand out in the WordPress plugin market.
Remember, your success hinges not just on its features but also on how well you can present them to your potential users. By providing a clear, interactive demonstration, you effectively address user uncertainties, build trust, and enhance engagement.
In short, don’t just tell your audience about your plugin’s potential – show them what it can do and watch your plugin thrive!
InstaWP is the perfect platform to do all this. After all, with InstaWP, the process becomes very straightforward and allows you to focus on impressing your audience with your plugin’s functions and ease of use.
So what are you waiting for? Create an account with InstaWP today and begin your journey to plugin success.
