How to Add Downloadable Files to Your WordPress Website

WordPress makes it easy to create feature-rich, multimedia websites packed with content. However, you may not always want to display that media directly on your pages. In some scenarios, it is preferable to offer digital download options.

In this post, we’ll discuss why you might want to offer downloadable files. Then we’ll provide you with a straightforward, step-by-step guide on adding digital downloads to your WordPress site. Let’s get started! 

Why You May Want to Add Downloadable Files to Your WordPress Site

Many websites offer downloadable files. These can include anything from a PDF catalog of your products to informative infographics, digital courses, or even entire ebooks:

If you offer downloads for free, it can help boost your engagement levels. By regularly giving away valuable content, you can also improve the visitor experience and build brand loyalty.

You might even use these files as lead generation tools. For example, you can request that visitors enter their email addresses in order to complete the download process. Many sites also make downloadable content exclusive to registered users, which can encourage people to sign up for your membership site:

You might even charge visitors for your downloadable content. This can be a great way to monetize a WordPress website. 

The average Internet user has a short attention span. However, downloaded files will remain on their local computer until they take action to remove them. In this way, these files can be a great way to deliver lengthy content that the visitor can then consume at their leisure. This includes dipping in and out of the file over multiple sessions. 

Since the content persists on the visitor’s device, downloadable files can help keep your business at the forefront of their mind. There’s always a chance that this person may rediscover your downloadable content, and decide to get reacquainted with your WordPress website. 

How to Add Downloadable Files to Your WordPress Site

Out of the box, WordPress supports a range of file types. This includes different image formats, PDFs, audio files, and videos. You can upload and offer these files for download using WordPress’ built-in File block.

To start, simply open the page or post where you want to add your download. Then, click on the + icon:

In the subsequent popup, start typing in “File”. When the block appears, give it a click. This will add a new File block to your page or post:

You can now insert any file that’s already stored in your WordPress Media Library. Alternatively, you can upload a new file using the Upload button:

After making your selection, WordPress will add this file to your block. By default, it will display the item’s filename, along with a Download button. Visitors can preview the contents before hitting Download by clicking on the name. This will open the file in a new tab:

You might want to change the displayed filename to something more informative. Simply click on the text, and you’ll get access to WordPress’ standard text editing toolbar.

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3 Ways to Customize Your Downloadable Files

The built-in WordPress File block makes it easy to offer a wide range of different content for download. Plus, there are a few ways that you can refine this block’s default behavior. 

By adding your own spin on downloadable files, you may be able to improve the visitor experience. If you’re using the File block as a lead generation tool, these changes can also boost your conversion rates. With this in mind, let’s explore three optional ways to customize the standard File block. 

1. Disable and Enable the Download Button

By default, the File block always includes a Download button. Whenever a visitor clicks on this button, it will immediately start downloading the file to their computer. This is useful if you want to keep the visitor on the current page.

However, there’s always a chance that someone may click on this button by accident. This will trigger an unwanted download, which is bad news for the visitor experience. This can be particularly frustrating when the file in question is large, and takes a long time to download. 

In this case, you may want to hide the Download button. With this button out of action, visitors will need to click on the file’s link and open it in a new tab.

From there, they can right-click on the file and opt to save it using their operating system’s standard menus. This gives visitors greater control over their downloads: 

To remove the Download button, make sure the File block is selected. In the Post/Block menu, click on the Block tab:

You can now remove this button by disabling the Show download button slider. If you change your mind and want to re-add the Download button, simply push this slider back into the On position. 

2. Create a Direct Link to the File Block

Unless your File block is at the very top of the page, visitors will need to scroll in order to start their downloads. Depending on your page’s layout and content, this can negatively impact your conversion rates by forcing visitors to hunt around for the File block. 

For this reason, you may want to consider creating a URL that takes the reader directly to your File block. You can then use this link as a convenient page anchor, by featuring it prominently on your page.

Many sites use page anchors to create an index, which enables visitors to jump straight to different parts of the current page: 

To generate a URL, select your File block. In the Block tab, click to expand the Advanced section: 

Then, scroll to the HTML anchor section. You can now enter one or two words that will become the unique web address for this block. Make sure not to include any spaces:

You can now embed this link into any piece of text or user interface element within the current page. Find the block or text that you want to use, and give it a click. You can select the standard Link button, which appears in the floating toolbar:

Then, type a # character followed by the HTML anchor that you just created. For example, you might add “#product-catalog”. Now, clicking on this item will transport the visitor directly to your File block, which will be ready for them to start the download.

3. Create a Direct Link for External Pages

You can also link directly to a File block from any other page or post. In this way, visitors can leap straight to the content they’re interested in downloading.

This is a much better user experience than forcing them to navigate to a new page and then scroll to the File block. By removing a step from the file download process, you may be able to boost your conversion rates. 

To create this link, select your File block and then click to expand the Advanced section. In the HTML anchor field, enter your domain name, followed by the current page:

Then, type the # character, followed by the one or two words that you want to use as the anchor text. For example, imagine that your web domain is http://www.example.com, and the File block is located on your /homepage. In this scenario, your URL might look like example.com/homepage#free-ebook.

You can now save your changes as normal. Then, add this link to any other page or post where you want to provide a direct link to your File block. 

Conclusion 

WordPress ships with a built-in File block that enables you to add downloadable content to your blog or website. However, simply adding a Download button to a page may not always be the best visitor experience.

Let’s quickly recap three ways to customize WordPress’ downloadable File block:

1. Disable and enable the download button.
2. Create a direct link to the File block.
3. Create a direct link for external pages.

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