Installing DigiBlocks

DigiBlocks is a powerful WordPress plugin that enhances your block editor with a comprehensive collection of professionally designed blocks. This guide will walk you through the complete installation process, from system requirements to initial setup.

System Requirements

Before installing DigiBlocks, ensure your WordPress site meets the following minimum requirements:

WordPress Requirements:

  • WordPress 5.8 or higher
  • PHP 7.4 or higher
  • Modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

Server Requirements:

  • Minimum 64MB PHP memory limit (128MB recommended)
  • MySQL 5.6 or higher / MariaDB 10.1 or higher
  • Write permissions for the uploads directory

Block Editor Support:

  • Your theme must support the WordPress block editor (Gutenberg)
  • Classic Editor plugin should be disabled for full functionality

Installation Methods

There are two primary ways to install DigiBlocks: through the WordPress admin dashboard or by manual upload.

Method 1: Install from WordPress Repository

This is the recommended method for most users as it’s the simplest and ensures you receive automatic updates.

Step 1: Access the Plugin Installation Area

Navigate to your WordPress admin dashboard and go to Plugins → Add New. This will take you to the plugin installation page where you can search for and install new plugins.

Step 2: Search for DigiBlocks

In the search box located at the top right of the page, type “DigiBlocks” and press Enter. The search results will display various plugins, but you’re looking for the official DigiBlocks plugin.

Step 3: Identify the Correct Plugin

Look for the plugin with the following characteristics:

  • Plugin name: “DigiBlocks”
  • Author: “DigiHold”
  • Description mentions “Beautiful blocks for the WordPress block editor”
  • Has a blue and white circular logo

Step 4: Install the Plugin

Click the Install Now button on the DigiBlocks plugin card. WordPress will automatically download and install the plugin files to your server. This process typically takes 10-30 seconds depending on your server speed.

Step 5: Activate the Plugin

Once installation is complete, the Install Now button will change to Activate. Click the Activate button to enable DigiBlocks on your website.

Method 2: Manual Installation

If you prefer to install the plugin manually or if the automatic method doesn’t work, you can upload the plugin files directly.

Step 1: Download the Plugin

Visit the DigiBlocks page on WordPress.org and click the Download button to get the latest version of the plugin as a ZIP file.

Step 2: Access the Upload Area

In your WordPress admin dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New, then click the Upload Plugin button at the top of the page.

Step 3: Upload the Plugin File

Click Choose File and select the DigiBlocks ZIP file you downloaded. Then click Install Now to begin the upload and installation process.

Step 4: Activate the Plugin

After the upload completes successfully, click Activate Plugin to enable DigiBlocks functionality on your site.

Method 3: FTP Installation

For advanced users or situations where the WordPress interface isn’t accessible, you can install via FTP.

Step 1: Extract the Plugin Files

Download the DigiBlocks ZIP file and extract it on your computer. This will create a folder named “digiblocks” containing all the plugin files.

Step 2: Upload via FTP

Using your preferred FTP client, connect to your website’s server and navigate to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory. Upload the entire “digiblocks” folder to this location.

Step 3: Activate Through WordPress

Log into your WordPress admin dashboard and go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. You should see DigiBlocks in the list with an Activate link. Click Activate to enable the plugin.

Post-Installation Setup

After successfully installing and activating DigiBlocks, you’ll need to complete a few setup steps to get the most out of the plugin.

Initial Activation

Upon activation, DigiBlocks will automatically:

  • Create the necessary database entries for plugin settings
  • Set up default configuration options
  • Create an assets directory in your uploads folder for storing generated CSS and JavaScript files
  • Register all available blocks with the WordPress block editor

Accessing the DigiBlocks Dashboard

After activation, you’ll find a new DigiBlocks menu item in your WordPress admin sidebar. Click on it to access the plugin dashboard where you can:

  • Manage which blocks are active or inactive
  • Configure global settings like content width and API keys
  • Access documentation and support resources

Default Block Availability

By default, all DigiBlocks are enabled and ready to use. You can find them in the block editor by:

  1. Creating or editing a page or post
  2. Clicking the + icon to add a block
  3. Looking for the DigiBlocks category in the block inserter
  4. Browsing through the available blocks and selecting the one you want to use

Verifying Successful Installation

To confirm that DigiBlocks has been installed correctly, follow these verification steps:

Check Plugin Status

Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins and confirm that DigiBlocks appears in the list with an “Active” status. The plugin should display version information and activation controls.

Test Block Editor Integration

Create a new page or post and open the block editor. Click the + icon to add a block and verify that:

  • A “DigiBlocks” category appears in the block inserter
  • Multiple DigiBlocks are visible within this category
  • You can successfully insert and configure a block (try the Heading block as a simple test)

Verify Admin Menu

Check that the DigiBlocks menu appears in your WordPress admin sidebar with options for Dashboard and Settings.

Check Assets Directory

Navigate to your WordPress uploads directory (typically /wp-content/uploads/) and confirm that a “digiblocks” folder has been created. This folder will store generated CSS and JavaScript files.

Initial Configuration

While DigiBlocks works out of the box, you may want to configure some basic settings immediately after installation.

Content Width Settings

Go to DigiBlocks → Settings and configure:

  • Content Width: Set the default pixel width for container blocks (default: 1200px)
  • Content Max Width: Set the default maximum width percentage (default: 90%)

These settings will serve as defaults for new blocks, though each block can be individually customized.

Block Management

Visit DigiBlocks → Dashboard to:

  • Review all available blocks
  • Disable any blocks you don’t plan to use (this can improve editor performance)
  • Enable or disable specific block categories

Common Installation Issues and Solutions

While DigiBlocks installation is usually straightforward, you might encounter some common issues:

Plugin Not Visible in Search Results

If DigiBlocks doesn’t appear when searching, try:

  • Clearing your browser cache and refreshing the page
  • Checking that your WordPress installation has internet connectivity
  • Searching for “blocks” or “gutenberg” instead of the full plugin name

Installation Timeout

If installation times out:

  • Check your server’s PHP memory limit and increase if necessary
  • Verify that your server has adequate storage space
  • Contact your hosting provider if timeout issues persist

Activation Errors

If you receive an error during activation:

  • Ensure your WordPress version meets the minimum requirements (5.8+)
  • Check that your PHP version is 7.4 or higher
  • Verify that your WordPress installation isn’t in maintenance mode
  • Look for plugin conflicts by temporarily deactivating other plugins

Missing Admin Menu

If the DigiBlocks menu doesn’t appear after activation:

  • Refresh your browser and clear any caching
  • Check that you have administrator privileges
  • Verify the plugin is actually activated (not just installed)
  • Look for any PHP errors in your server’s error log

File Permissions and Security

DigiBlocks requires certain file permissions to function properly:

Required Permissions

The plugin needs write access to:

  • /wp-content/uploads/digiblocks/ directory for storing generated assets
  • WordPress database for storing plugin settings and options

Security Considerations

DigiBlocks follows WordPress security best practices:

  • All user inputs are properly sanitized and validated
  • Database queries use prepared statements to prevent SQL injection
  • File uploads are restricted and validated
  • Admin capabilities are properly checked before allowing configuration changes

Updating DigiBlocks

Once installed, DigiBlocks will notify you of available updates through the standard WordPress update system:

  1. Updates will appear in Dashboard → Updates when available
  2. You can update individually from Plugins → Installed Plugins
  3. Automatic updates can be enabled if supported by your hosting environment

Always backup your website before performing plugin updates, and test updates on a staging site when possible.