In some posts, I've attached source code and files allowing user to download. Now I'm interested to check how many times file downloaded and how to display it with download link as in other sites. I found different Wordpress plugins like WP-DownloadManager, Downloads Manager, WordPress Download Monitor, WordPress Download Counter..etc. All are doing file management perfectly, But I like Wordpress Download Monitor the most. It allows you to upload files, store it on your server and share it with your readers. You can install and activate it easily as normal plugin.

How to Use:

It's very easy to use. In your post page, Just click on down arrow icon, select file or upload file with details and click on save/insert button as in below image and It will insert the code look something like [[download id="1"]] which is parsed on viewing post.

Customize Format:

You can create your own custom template to show download file in your format.

Go to DownLoads > Configuration > Cusotm Output Formats

Enter Name and format using available tags {url},{title}...etc.

For above template, enter following code in format:

<div class="downloadBox" style="border: 1px solid gray; padding: 15px 5px 5px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 24px;">{title}</span>
<div style="background-color: #3B5998; border-radius: 10px 10px 10px 10px; color: #ffffff !important; display: block; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin:7px auto; padding: 5px 18px; text-align: center; width: 200px; "><a href="{url}" style="color:white">Download</a></div>
<span style="color: gray;">{hits} total downloads, {size} </span>
</div>

After saving format, you can select format from dropdown-list during inserting into post OR you can pass ID of format something like this

[[download id="2" format="2"]]

Customize URL:

By default, the download URL is in following format:

http://yourdomain.com/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?id=1

You can customize it in DownLoads > Configuration > Custom Download URL and select one of ID, FileName or Title options. If you select filename, new URL will be

http://yourdomain.com/downloads/filename.zip

It's good for SEO as well as user convenient.

Create a Download Page:

You can create a download page easily. Goto Pages > Add New > Enter [[download_page]] in post and publish it.

You will get page in default format having search box, popular posts and categorywise post. you can customize it by using available shortcode options. You can get details in plugin documentation.

This plugin is easily customizable and having full of features like category, images, supports external link and many more. You can get more in plugin documentation. Share your opinion and let me know how you are managing files and displaying their download count.