Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Encode Download URL on WordPress

As a website owner, you may have several downloadable files on your WordPress site. But, the direct URL to the file can be easily accessed by anyone who knows the link. This can be a security risk if you're sharing private or sensitive files.

One way to secure your download link is by encrypting it or encoding it. This ensures that only authorized users can access the file.

Here's how you can encode download URL on WordPress:

Step 1: Install and Activate 'Download Manager' Plugin

There are many plugins available for WordPress that offer encryption of download links. However, in this article, we will be using the 'Download Manager' plugin.

To install the plugin, go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to 'Plugins >> Add New'. Then, search for 'Download Manager' and click on 'Install Now'. Once installed, activate the plugin.

Step 2: Upload Your Downloadable File

After activating the 'Download Manager' plugin, you can now upload your downloadable file. To do this, go to 'Downloads >> Add New' and upload your file.

Step 3: Create a Download Link

Once your file is uploaded, you can now create a download link for it. To do this, go to 'Downloads >> All Downloads', hover over the file you uploaded, and click on 'Get Shortcode'.

This will generate a shortcode that you can use to embed the download link on your WordPress post or page.

Step 4: Encode the Download URL

To encode the download URL, add the parameter 'r' at the end of the shortcode and assign it any value. For example:

[download id="1" r="abcd1234"]

In the above shortcode, 'abcd1234' is the value assigned to the 'r' parameter. This value can be anything as long as it’s unique.

Step 5: Publish the Post or Page

After you've added the encoded download link to your post or page, you can now publish it.

When a user clicks on the link, they will be redirected to a page where they will have to enter the unique value that you assigned to the 'r' parameter. Once they enter the value, they will be able to download the file.

And that's it! You’ve successfully encoded your download URL on WordPress.

Conclusion

Securing your downloadable files is crucial if you're sharing private or sensitive information. By encrypting or encoding the download URL, you can ensure that only authorized users can access the file. Use the steps outlined in this article to encode your download URL on WordPress and keep your files secure.