Allowing users to upload images to your WordPress site opens up valuable opportunities for user generated content. For example, you may want to accept guest post submissions with images, run a viral photo contest, or collect other media like testimonials.
However, it also creates security and management considerations around opening up uploads to the public.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore 3 methods to safely facilitate user uploaded images in WordPress:
- File Upload Forms
- Guest Author Post Submissions
- Photo Contests
I‘ll share actionable tips and best practices to make sure you implement user uploads in a secure,organized way – while still keeping things easy for users.
Why Allow Users to Upload Images?
Before digging into the how-to, let‘s discuss a few reasons why you may want to open up image uploads:
Collect Guest Posts and User Content
User generated content is highly valuable for producing fresh, authentic content. By allowing image uploads from guests, you can easily collect contributor posts for your blog.
For example, if you run a travel blog, imagine all the insider location recommendations you could gather from readers!
Run Viral Contests and Sweepstakes
Contests that encourage photo submissions tend to see high engagement across social media. Site visitors love sharing their images to unlock more chances to win prizes.
Photo contests also showcase UGC visually right on your site, which feels more authentic and fun than promotional images alone.
Gather Testimonials and Reviews
Beyond written reviews, imagine collecting image-based testimonials showing real people interacting with your product or service.
Visual social proof builds trust and credibility better than text alone.
Now let‘s explore the best practices to facilitate user image uploads for these use cases and more.
Method 1 – File Upload Forms with WPForms
WPForms is hands down the most popular drag and drop WordPress form builder, used on over 6 million sites. Their free plugin makes it super easy to put upload fields into any custom form.
Step 1 – Install and Activate WPForms
From your dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. Search for "WPForms" and click Install Now followed by "Activate".
You‘ll now have a new WPForms menu. Go here and enter your license key if you have WPForms paid plans to unlock more features.
Step 2 – Create New Form
Navigate to WPForms > Add New. Select a template like Simple Contact Form or Blank Form.
Next, drag a File Upload field from the left sidebar onto your new form canvas.
Step 3 – Configure Your Upload Field
Click the upload field to open settings. Here are key options to customize:
- Label – Rename to something descriptive like "Your Photo"
- File Types – Select images types to allow
- Max file size – Limit to control storage space
- Required? – Check to mandate uploads
Under Advanced, choose between modern drag & drop uploader vs classic browser picker.
You can also toggle on storing files in WordPress media library for easier management.
Step 4 – Add Form to Website Pages
To embed your upload form, edit any post or page and click the "WPForms" block under editor widgets. Select your form.
Users can now upload files through your form using the field you configured!
Pro Tip: Allow other file types beyond default WordPress allowed list using File Upload Types plugin.
Method 2 – Guest Author Uploads with WPForms Post Submissions
If you specifically want to collect guest blog post submissions from users, WPForms offers a purpose built addon.
The Post Submissions feature allows users to send guest posts including title, content, excerpt, featured image, and more.
Step 1 – Install WPForms Post Submissions Addon
With WPForms installed, go to WPForms > Addons tab.
Find Post Submissions and click Install Addon. This will automatically download, activate, and unlock templates for user-submitted posts.
Step 2 – Build Your Guest Post Form
Next, create a new form from the Blog Post Submission template under WPForms > Add New.
This automatically includes fields for article title, content, image uploads, etc tailored to collecting user contributed guest posts.
Step 3 – Customize Form and Notifications
Edit form fields as needed. For example, ask authors to include social profiles, bio, headshot, and external site links.
Under form Settings, configure email notifications to editors whenever a new post submission comes in for review.
Step 4 – Publish Form for Guest Contributors
Embed your blog post submission form on a new page like "Contribute" using the WPForms block.
Now you have a streamlined solution to collect user-generated guest posts complete with images and author bios!
Method 3 – Photo Contests with RafflePress
If you want to run a photo contest rather than simple upload form, I recommend RafflePress. It‘s the most popular WordPress giveaway and contest plugin.
RafflePress makes it a breeze to create viral contests fueled by user submitted images. Plus you get tons of built-in contest features like social sharing incentives, leaderboards, email optins, wheel spins, and more.
Let‘s see how to set one up:
Step 1 – Install and Activate RafflePress
From your WP dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. Search "RafflePress", install, then click "Activate".
You‘ll now find a RafflePress menu. Use license key here and configure Global Settings like contest directory page.
Step 2 – Create Photo Contest Campaign
Next, navigate to RafflePress > Add New and select Photo Contest template.
Give your contest a title, description, featured image etc. This will become the main page of your contest.
Step 3 – Set Up "Submit Photo" Entry Method
Now click Entry Methods tab. Click Add New then choose Action > Submit Image.
This creates the upload functionality. Set # of entries awarded per image and upload restrictions.
Step 4 – Drive Social Sharing
One advantage of RafflePress is built-in viral features. Under Social Sharing tab, turn on sharing-to-unlock entry options.
Users earn bonus entries for spreading word of your contest on FB, Twitter etc.
Step 5 – Collect Emails with Optins
Grow your subscriber list by creating opt-in email gates. Visitors trade their email for contest bonus entries on a pop-up or embedded form .
Step 6 – Showcase Gallery of Uploads
As users submit photos, you‘ll accumulate a gallery showcasing entries.
Add gallery widgets to your site sidebar, landing pages etc to show off UGC visually.
Recommended Practices For User Image Uploads
Here are a few tips to securely manage user contributed media uploads in WordPress:
- Storage Limits – Set file upload size/quantity restrictions per form to limit storage space needs
- Image Compression – Use a plugin like Optimole to compress images and convert unsupported formats
- Moderation – Review and approve user uploads manually before public display
- File Permissions – Lock down upload directory permissions and turn off URL access
- Backups – Schedule frequent backups in case you need to rollback image database
In summary – take advantage of user generated images with some smart precautions!
I hope this guide gave you ideas on how to allow users to securely upload images on your WordPress site. Let me know if you have any other questions!
