How to Add PDF Link to WordPress

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As a blogger, you want to provide valuable content to your readers. Adding PDF files to your WordPress website can be an effective way of providing additional information like reports, whitepapers, or ebooks. PDF documents are easily accessible, viewable on almost all devices, and preserve the content layout. Plus, with the help of WordPress plugins, you can embed PDF files into blog posts or pages, share them on social media or through email, and even track the number of downloads. This blog post will provide you with multiple ways to add a PDF link to your WordPress website.

Video Tutorial:

The Challenge of Adding PDF Links to Your WordPress Website

WordPress is an easy-to-use content management platform that allows you to create and publish content in various formats. However, adding PDF files to WordPress is not as straightforward as adding an image or a video to your post or page. WordPress does not provide a native PDF viewer, and in most cases, the PDF file will be opened in a new tab or window. This can disrupt the user experience and confuse your readers. Besides, some WordPress templates may restrict file uploads to specific file types and sizes. Therefore, to add a PDF link to WordPress, you need to prepare several things beforehand.

Things You Should Prepare for

Before adding a PDF link to your WordPress website, you will need to prepare the following things:

  1. The PDF file you want to upload, stored in your computer.
  2. A file hosting service or cloud storage account like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Amazon S3 where you can store and share the PDF file.
  3. WordPress access credentials including the domain name, username, and password.
  4. A PDF viewer plugin for WordPress that enables you to showcase your PDF files seamlessly and track user’s behavior.

Method 1: Via WordPress Media Library

The simplest way to add a PDF link to a WordPress post or page is using the built-in media library. Here’s how:

  1. Login to your WordPress site using your admin username and password.
  2. Create a new post or page or open an existing post/page.
  3. Place your mouse cursor over the place where you want the link to appear.
  4. Click on the Add Media button.
  5. Choose the "Upload Files" tab and select the PDF file from your computer.
  6. Wait for the file to upload. Note that larger files may take longer to upload. Once uploaded, you can add the PDF’s title, alt text, and description in the Attachment Details sidebar.
  7. Click the "Insert into post" button to add the PDF link to the page or post. The link will appear as the file’s name.
  8. Update or publish the post or page.

Pros: Simple and straightforward.

Cons: Only allows the user to download the file, not view it online.

Method 2: Using PDF Embedder Plugin

The PDF Embedder plugin is a popular WordPress plugin that allows you to embed and display PDF files on your website without leaving the page. This is done by converting your PDF file into an HTML5 document using JavaScript. Here’s how you can use this plugin:

  1. Login to your WordPress site using your admin username and password.
  2. Navigate to the Plugins section of the Dashboard and click "Add New".
  3. Search for "PDF Embedder" and click on "Install Now" next to the plugin.
  4. Activate the plugin once installed.
  5. Open a new or existing post or page.
  6. Place your cursor where you want the PDF to appear.
  7. Click on the "Add Media" button. This will open the Media Library. Select the PDF file you want to embed and click on "Insert into post".
  8. Add the following shortcode to your page or post: [pdf-embedder url=’full PDF file URL’] (replace ‘full PDF file URL’ with the URL of the PDF file that is publicly available online).
  9. Update or publish the post or page.

Pros: Provides readers with a seamless viewing experience, works well on mobile devices.

Cons: Requires a public PDF file URL, no tracking features.

Method 3: Using PDF Viewer Plugin

The PDF Viewer plugin is a WooCommerce extension that allows you to display PDF files on your WordPress website as interactive flipbooks. The flipbook layout simulates the look and feel of a book page, with page-turning animation, customizable layouts, and options to add branding and links. Here’s how you can use this plugin:

  1. Login to your WordPress site using your admin username and password.
  2. Navigate to the Plugins section of the Dashboard and click "Add New".
  3. Search for "PDF Viewer" and click on "Install Now" next to the plugin.
  4. Activate the plugin once installed.
  5. Open a new or existing post or page.
  6. Place your cursor where you want the flipbook to appear.
  7. Click on the "PDF Viewer" icon on the WordPress visual editor (it looks like a book icon).
  8. A pop-up window will appear. Click on the "Add new PDF" button to upload a new PDF file from your computer.
  9. Set your flipbook options like page layout, background color, branding, and links.
  10. Save your changes and update or publish the post or page.

Pros: Provides an interactive and engaging reader experience, customizable, provides tracking features.

Cons: Requires WooCommerce plugin installation, doesn’t support a file upload from media library.

Why Can’t I Add PDF Files to My WordPress Site?

There may be several reasons why you can’t add PDF files to your WordPress website. Here are a few reasons and their potential fixes:

  • File size exceeds the upload limit: Some WordPress templates or hosting services restrict file uploads to specific sizes. You can check your hosting’s settings or request support to increase the file size limit.
  • File type is not supported: WordPress media library supports common file types like JPG, PNG, and GIF, but not all file types. You can use a plugin or convert your file to a supported file type like a PNG.
  • WordPress plugin or theme conflict: Some plugins or themes may interfere with the uploading of PDF files. Try disabling non-essential plugins and revert to a default theme to isolate the issue.

Additional Tips

Here are a few additional tips to help you add a PDF link to your WordPress website:

  • Optimize your PDF: reduce the file size and optimize images for faster loading times.
  • Use metadata: Include relevant keywords and meta descriptions that help search engines index your PDF files.
  • Host PDF files elsewhere: If you run into issues uploading PDF files to your WordPress media library, you can host them elsewhere, like Google Drive or Dropbox, and embed them into your posts or pages using a PDF viewer plugin.
  • Link PDF files in your email signature: Including a link to your latest research or whitepaper in your email signature can help drive traffic to your website.

5 FAQs about Adding PDF Links to WordPress

Q: Can I add a PDF link to a sidebar widget in WordPress?

A: Yes, you can add a PDF link to a sidebar widget in WordPress. You can use the "Text" widget to enter the link in HTML format or use a plugin like "PDF Embedder" to embed the PDF directly.

Q: Can I add a password to a PDF file in WordPress?

A: Yes, you can add a password to a PDF file before uploading it to WordPress. PDF viewer plugins like "PDF Embedder Secure" or "PDF Viewer for WooCommerce – Secure" provide features to encrypt and password-protect PDF files.

Q: How do I track the number of downloads of a PDF file in WordPress?

A: You can use PDF viewer plugins like "PDF Embedder" or "PDF Viewer for WooCommerce" to track the number of views and downloads of your PDF files. Some plugins also offer analytics features that track user engagement and reading behavior.

Q: Can I add metadata to my PDF files in WordPress?

A: Yes, you can add metadata like author, keywords, title, and description to your PDF files in WordPress. Use a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat or a plugin like "PDF Embedder" to add metadata.

Q: Are there any copyright issues when adding PDF files to WordPress?

A: Yes, you should ensure that you have the right to upload and share the PDF files on your WordPress website. If the PDF file is not created by you, make sure you have the necessary permission or licensing. Similarly, if you embed a PDF file from an external source, make sure that the embedding is authorized by the source.

In conclusion

Adding PDF files to WordPress can enhance the user experience and provide valuable content to your readers. By using plugins like PDF Embedder, PDF Viewer for WooCommerce, and WordPress media library, you can add PDF files easily and securely. Remember to optimize your files, use metadata, and host files elsewhere if you encounter issues uploading PDFs to WordPress. With these tips, you can add PDF links to WordPress like a pro.