Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Automatically Download Files on WordPress Page Load

Do you want to make it easy for your website visitors to download a file without clicking on a separate button? If yes, then you need to learn how to make files auto-download on WordPress page load.

This feature is suitable for websites that offer free downloads, such as PDFs, images, and eBooks. By automating the download process, you reduce the number of clicks it takes for visitors to access the file they need.

Step 1: Upload the File in WordPress Media Library

The first step to enable auto-downloading of a file is to upload the file in your WordPress media library. You can do this by navigating to the Media Library and clicking on Add New at the top of the screen. You can upload any file format, including PDF, MP3, MP4, JPEG, etc.

Step 2: Get the File URL

After uploading the file, click on it to open its details. In the attachment details screen, you'll see the file URL. Highlight and copy it.

Step 3: Add the Code Snippet

In this step, you'll add the code snippet that triggers the auto-download on page load. Navigate to your website's WordPress admin dashboard and click on Appearance, then go to Editor.

On the right-hand side of the screen, you'll see a list of files and templates. Select functions.php and add the following code snippet at the bottom of the file:

function auto_download_file() { if ( is_page('your-page-slug') ) { // Replace 'your-page-slug' with the slug of your page echo "<script>window.open('your-file-url', '_blank');</script>"; // Replace 'your-file-url' with the URL of the file you want to download } } add_action( 'wp_footer', 'auto_download_file' );

Don't forget to replace 'your-page-slug' and 'your-file-url' with the actual values.

Step 4: Save the Changes

Once you've added the code snippet, click on Update File to save the changes. Now, when users visit the page with the 'your-page-slug', the code will automatically trigger the download of the file specified by the 'your-file-url' URL.

Note that you can modify the code to include additional parameters, such as a custom message or a delay before the download starts.

In conclusion, auto-downloading files on WordPress page load can save users time and reduce friction in accessing valuable content. Follow the steps outlined above to enable this feature and improve user experience on your website.