While you can create a gallery in WordPress by selecting multiple images from your library without installing this plugin, the default WordPress image gallery lacks essential features. These include managing the gallery, optimizing images for mobile devices, enabling a Lightbox pop-up window, and presenting images in a slideshow format, among others.
This underscores the importance of utilizing WordPress gallery plugins, with Envira being a recommended choice.
If you’re uncertain about the necessity of Envira Gallery, consider installing its free version. Keep in mind that with the purchase of the premium version, developers offer a 14-day window for a refund if you decide it doesn’t meet your needs.
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For those new to online photo galleries, this is a convenient solution. By trying the free version, you risk nothing and can experience all the benefits of the plugin at no cost.
Introduction Of Envira Gallery
Embraced by a vast user base, Envira Gallery stands out as the leading WordPress gallery plugin, earning acclaim for its distinctive features. This plugin empowers users to craft highly customizable photo galleries, ensuring optimal display across various devices, ranging from PCs to smartphones.
Simple Installation of Envira Gallery in 2 Steps
To integrate Envira Gallery into your WordPress website, you must first make a purchase. However, given the privilege extended by my friends at Envira, allowing me to explore various plugins for free, I won’t be making a purchase but will utilize a special code.
Once you’ve downloaded the plugin to your computer, proceed to install it from the WordPress plugin store and then activate it. Following this straightforward process, you’ll notice the new Envira Gallery tab in the WordPress sidebar. Navigate to Envira Gallery → Add New to initiate the creation of your inaugural gallery.
How to Use Envira Gallery
STEP 1: Familiarize yourself with the valuable features outlined in this Envira Gallery review. This WordPress image gallery simplifies the process of incorporating your photo collections into any WordPress page, post, or sidebar widget. Users will find a dedicated button atop the message editor, facilitating the embedding of image galleries into messages or pages. It’s important to note that the majority of your tasks will be performed on a distinct page within Envira Gallery.
STEP 2: Use the standard drag & drop loader to effortlessly add your pictures. Downloaded photos can be easily rearranged by dragging them to change their order. Clicking on an image allows you to edit the Title and Alt (description) for improved SEO optimization. This highly beneficial feature not only saves precious time but also contributes to the enhancement of your website or blog, a particularly relevant aspect in modern conditions.
STEP 3: Choose between selecting and uploading images from your computer or opting for images from your WordPress library. This is the quickest and most convenient method to establish your personalized image gallery.
STEP 4: Once images and metadata are added, navigate to the Envira Gallery settings tab. While the default settings are commendable, you have the flexibility to make your own adjustments if desired. This versatility makes the image gallery plugin a universal tool adaptable to various objectives. Users have the autonomy to decide whether to streamline the process of uploading pictures or customize the gallery to meet specific requirements, saving time according to their preferences.
STEP 5: Simply copy the code generated after adding the images and paste it into the text. Locate the code in the right-hand column under ‘Envira Gallery Code.’ No programming expertise or knowledge of website creation theory is required, as anyone can swiftly and easily create their own blog or website and seamlessly add photos to articles today.
Configuring Envira Gallery Images
Envira Gallery provides a quick and straightforward method to tailor the image display settings on your website, with options varying based on the specific gallery.
If you find the arrangement of pictures unsatisfactory, utilize the drag-and-drop feature to rearrange them according to your preferences:
Moreover, thanks to the tool called “Pencil”, you may change the settings for each separate image.
Basic Gallery Settings
If you’ve achieved the desired outcomes with your photographs, you can navigate to the Configuration panel to customize the general settings of Envira Gallery.
Additionally, Envira offers various dimensions, allowing you to:
- Choose the number of columns, or let the Envira Gallery Plugin handle it automatically.
- Adjust height and margins.
- Apply individual picture dimensions.
- Determine whether to enable image cropping, and if so, manage the cropping process yourself.
For enhanced productivity, Envira Gallery provides a feature called ‘lazy loading.’ This functionality allows the plugin to defer the loading of pictures located below the visible window on the screen until the user begins scrolling down:
Lightbox Settings
Envira Gallery may also boast of Lightbox functionality having the Lightbox panel.
Thanks to it, you may control necessary features, for example:
- Photo size in the Lightbox
- Transition effect
- Lightbox navigation
Mobile Settings
If you are uncertain about the uniform visual appeal of your galleries across all devices, utilize the Mobile tab.
Another notable feature provided by Envira Gallery is the option to establish distinct thumbnail dimensions for mobile images. This feature not only grants you control over the visual aesthetics but also enables you to reduce the photo size on mobile devices, resulting in faster upload times.
The decision to enable Lightbox functionality for mobile users is entirely yours.
Misc Settings
While the Misc panel may not exhibit exceptional performance, it does provide the ability to choose a gallery slug and incorporate your personalized CSS classes.
Displaying Your Gallery
Once you’ve fine-tuned all the settings and are content with the gallery, proceed to publish it and observe how it appears in action. The final step involves showcasing your gallery anywhere on the site, a task easily accomplished by utilizing the shortcode or PHP function.
Prices
This plugin has four premium variants. Before purchasing a plugin, look through these plans and find out information about each variant.
While there are four distinct annual plans offered, only the Pro (FixThePhoto Selection) and Agency plans are noteworthy. These plans provide all the essential tools for crafting a high-quality website. The Basic and Plus plans, as per the official website description, are deemed too restrictive.
Should You Use Envira Gallery?
Envira Gallery stands out as an impressive plugin developed by the same team behind Soliloquy Slider and OptinMonster. This association ensures users of reliable and high-quality support, along with regular updates.
The plugin offers exceptional convenience and ease of use. With numerous valuable features, it empowers users to craft galleries reminiscent of those found on professional photography portfolios, fulfilling the desire to showcase such displays on their own pages. Simplifying the process of working with images on the internet, this WordPress gallery plugin opens up a plethora of new opportunities for all users.
