WordPress doesn’t allow the free version of a plugin to include disabled features that must be paid for. The solution is an enhanced but different Pro version of SpeakOut!. This page will help you upgrade the Speakout! WordPress petition plugin.
First and most important thing; do a backup of your wordpress site. But also think about this: it is one thing to do a backup, but have you ever tested that you can restore from a backup?
If you are upgrading from the free version, ensure you have updated to the latest version before proceeding. If you don’t your database may not be up to date and the Pro version will install but not work properly.
Also, DO NOT UNINSTALL THE FREE VERSION unless you don’t have any petitions or signatures or they will all be lost.
TO UPGRADE: There are a few possible situations
- You don’t have the free version and are installing the pro version for the first time
- You have the free version and are upgrading to the Pro version
- You already have an early Pro version (104) and need to upgrade to 105
- You are having trouble upgrading
Firstly, download the latest version of SpeakOut! WordPress petition plugin here
first time install or upgrading an existing Pro version (this is probably the best method) – in the dashboard go to plugins > add new > upload (speakout.zip) > install and the built in plugin installer will do its job. This won’t work if you already have the same version of Speakout! installed, but the next methods will.
cPanel file manager – go into cpanel > file manager (or any other file manager you use) navigate to public_html/wp-content/plugins. Rename speakout to .speakout which makes it invisible and acts as a backup. Extract speakout.zip, it will create a new speakout folder and upgrade the database.
cPanel file manager alternative – go into cpanel > file manager navigate to public_html/wp-content/plugins. Rename speakout to .speakout which makes it invisible and acts as a backup. In the dashboard go to plugins > add new > upload (speakout.zip) > install and the built in plugin installer will do its job.
FTP – upload speakout.zip to public_html/wp-content/plugins. Extract the file, it will over-write existing files and upgrade the database. You might want to rename speakout to .speakout which makes it invisible and acts as a backup, however if you are using FTP, I assume you have more advanced skills.
The Pro version won’t work without a license key. If you have already upgraded, it should be activated automatically, otherwise click the SpeakOut! menu item in the dashboard and enter your license key.