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If you have a WordPress website, you’ve probably seen the WordPress Admin Dashboard, often called WP Admin Panel or WP Admin. This dashboard is your site’s Control Center. It’s where you can manage everything—from creating posts to adding plugins and updating your website’s design.
Whether you’re new to WordPress or want to use it better, getting familiar with the Dashboard can make a huge difference. When you understand the WordPress Admin Dashboard, managing your site becomes easier. You can quickly make changes, fix issues, and track your site’s performance. This is why knowing how to navigate and use each section is essential for smooth website management.
In this tutorial, we show you the primary parts of the Dashboard and how each one can help you run your site. We’ll explain how to access the Admin Dashboard, customize it to fit your needs, and use it efficiently. By the end, you’ll have all the tips you need to confidently manage your WordPress site and make the most of the powerful features in WP Admin.
Table of Contents
How to Access WordPress Admin Dashboard
To start working on your WordPress site, first access the Admin Dashboard. This is where you make all your changes, from adding posts to adjusting settings.
By default, the URL to access the WordPress Admin Dashboard follows a simple format. Just add /wp-admin at the end of your site’s URL. For example, if your site is www.example.com, type the following URL into your browser:
https://www.example.com/wp-adminThis will take you to the WordPress Login page. Alternatively, manually use the following link to land directly on your Login page.
https://yourdomain.com/wp-login.phpOn your Login page, enter the Username (or email address) and Password you used when you created your WordPress site. After filling in your details, click Log In, and you’ll be taken directly to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
If you don’t have your Login details, you may need to check the email you used to create the account, as it should have your initial Login information.
Also, changing the default Login URL is a good idea to keep your site more secure. Since most WordPress sites use /wp-admin, it can make it easier for hackers to try to access your Login page.
If you change this URL to something unique, like www.example.com/mydashboard, you add an extra layer of security. Moreover, many security plugins like JetPack offer an option to change and hide the login URL.
If you ever forget your Password, WordPress has a built-in way to reset it. To use that way, click the Lost your password? link on your Login page.
You’ll be prompted to provide an email address associated with your WordPress account. Once you enter that and click Get New Password, WordPress will send a Password reset link to your email. Click the link, go through the on-screen steps to create a new Password, and then you’re all set. Now, log back into the WordPress Admin Dashboard with your new Password.
Once you’re logged in, you’ll have full control over your website and can start exploring all the WordPress features.
Navigate WordPress Admin Area
When you first log in to WordPress, you see the Dashboard screen. This is the main area that gives you a quick view of what’s happening on your website. The Dashboard offers helpful widgets to use to access essential information and tasks.
Some of the most common widgets you’ll see on the WordPress Admin Dashboard include:
Activity: This widget shows recent activity on your site, such as new comments and recently published posts. It’s a quick way to see what’s happening on your site without digging too deep.
Quick Draft: It lets you start a new post from the Dashboard. If you have an idea, you can quickly jot it down here and save it as a draft for later.
WordPress Events & News: In this section, you find out WordPress news, events, and updates. It’s great for learning about new features and staying informed about the latest from WordPress.
At a Glance: Offers an overview of your site, showing the total number of posts, pages, and comments. It also tells you which WordPress theme and version of WordPress you’re using, which can be useful for maintenance.
Site Health Status: Shows you the website’s current health and gives you an overview of any issues or improvements you might need to make.
You may customize your Dashboard by dragging the widgets around. In this example, we want to reposition Activity, Quick Draft, and At a Glance for ease of use.
Each widget on the WordPress Admin Dashboard screen gives you a quick way to check on your site, manage content, or stay updated. If you want a cleaner view, you can hide widgets you don’t use by clicking on Screen Options at the top of the Dashboard.
You can even collapse some widgets you need on your WordPress Admin Dashboard if you don’t check those regularly.
On the left side of the Dashboard is the sidebar menu. This menu contains all the main options you’ll need to manage your site.
As you work on your site, you may notice that additional options appear in the sidebar menu. This happens when you install new themes or plugins. Many themes come with specific settings, like Theme Options or Customizer links, so you can easily make design changes. For example, if you use the Astra theme, you might notice an Astra option appears in the sidebar.
Similarly, plugins can add menu items to help you manage their specific features, such as SEO or Security options. These extra options give easy access to new features directly from your WordPress Dashboard.
Now you know what you have on your WordPress Admin Dashboard and in the sidebar, let’s explore each section below.
Manage Content
Managing content is one of the most important tasks When handling a WordPress site, adding blog posts, creating new pages, or using media files, you’ll find it simple with WordPress. Let’s walk through these steps so you can manage your content easily.
Create & Manage Blog Posts
If you want to add a new blog post, go to Posts → Add New Post to open a fresh post editor.
You can write content, add images, and organize your post with categories and tags. To make your post look its best, use the formatting tools to style your text, add headings, and insert links.
Once you’ve finished writing, click Preview (the button is represented with a computer icon) to preview the post and see how it looks on your site. If you’re happy with it, click Publish to make it live.
If you’re not ready yet, click Save Draft to keep it as a draft and return to it later. WordPress also saves your work automatically, so you don’t have to worry about losing anything.
To manage existing posts, go back to Posts → All Posts. Here, you’ll see a list of all your blog posts, where you can quickly edit, delete, or update them as needed.
Add New Pages
Pages are like posts but are typically used for static content, like an “About Us” or “Contact” page. To create a new page, go to Pages → Add New Page. This will open the page editor, which looks like the post editor.
Enter a title for your page and start adding content. You can include text, images, and even embed videos. Pages can also have their unique layout, depending on your theme. If your theme includes page templates, you can select one under Page Attributes on the right side of the editor.
When your page is ready, click Publish to make it live. You can also click Save Draft if you wish to return to it later.
All your pages are saved under Pages → All Pages, where you can update or delete them anytime.
Manage Media Files
In the WordPress Admin Dashboard, the Media Library is storage for all your images, videos, and documents. Anytime you upload a photo, it goes into the Media Library; now you can use the same file on multiple pages or posts. View and manage your media files by clicking Media in the sidebar menu.
From here, you can see all the files you’ve uploaded. You can click on any file to view details, add a title or caption, and make small edits, like cropping or rotating images.
If you want to add a new file, click Add New Media File and upload it directly from your computer.
Customize Appearance
WordPress Admin Dashboard makes it simple to change themes, manage widgets and menus, and adjust your site’s background and header. Let’s go through each step to make your site look exactly how you want.
Change & Customize Themes
The theme of your WordPress site controls its overall look, including colors, fonts, and layout. To change your theme, go to Appearance → Themes in the sidebar. Here, you’ll see a list of installed themes.
If you want to try a new one, click Add New Theme to browse free and paid themes available from WordPress. You can search by keywords or filter by features to find the perfect theme.
Once you find a theme you like, click Install and then Activate. Your site will instantly update to the new look. You can also upload a theme if you’ve purchased it from a third-party source.
Many themes offer customization options to make the design fit your style. Go to Appearance → Customize to open the Theme Customizer. Here, you can adjust colors, change fonts, layouts, and more, depending on what your theme allows.
Manage Widgets & Menus
Widgets are small content blocks you can place in various parts of your site, like a sidebar or footer. Common widgets include recent posts, search bars, and social media links. To manage widgets, go to Appearance → Widgets. You’ll see different widget areas based on your theme, like Main Sidebar or Header.
To add a widget, click the + button and drag your required widget to the desired widget area. You can arrange widgets in any order and customize each by clicking on it.
Menus also help visitors navigate your site. To set up a menu, go to Appearance → Menus. Create a new menu by adding pages, posts, or custom links. Check the boxes next to the items you wish to add, then click Add to Menu.
You can arrange the items by dragging and dropping them in the order you want. You may also create a new menu, save it, or delete it based on your requirements.
Most themes have several menu locations, such as the main menu (usually at the top) and the footer menu. After arranging your menu, navigate to Manage Locations, select a location, and click Save Changes. You may also manage your menu with live preview.
Managing your site is straightforward with Hosted.com’s WordPress Hosting, which provides a user-friendly experience designed to simplify the complexities of website management.
Furthermore, our dedicated team of WordPress experts is always available to offer specialized support, ensuring that any technical challenges you encounter are resolved quickly and efficiently.
Customize Site Background & Header
Your site’s background and header are key elements of your design. In the Customizer (Appearance → Customize), you’ll see options for changing the background and header. The location for these settings may vary depending on which theme you use.
However, Astra theme users can update the site’s background by navigating to Appearance → Customize → Global → Colors → Site Background.
The Header is typically where your logo or site title appears, and many themes allow you to upload a custom header image or logo. Look for the Header or Site Identity section in the Customizer. In the Astra theme, you can use Header Builder and Site Identity options to edit the header.
Here, you can upload an image, add a logo, and set your site title and tagline. The header is the first thing most visitors see, so make sure it reflects your brand.
Extend Functionality
One of the best things about WordPress is that you can easily add new features to your site. This is done by using plugins. Plugins are small pieces of software that let you add cool features without coding. However, ensure you choose the right and compatible plugin for your website.
Install & Manage Plugins
To add a new plugin, go to Plugins → Add New Plugin. You will see a page with many plugins to choose from. You can search for a specific plugin using the search bar or browse through Featured and Popular plugins.
When you find a plugin you like, click Install Now. After it installs, the button will change to Activate. Click Activate to turn on the plugin for your site.
Once activated, the plugin might add new options to your sidebar menu or settings. You can manage all your plugins by going to Plugins → Installed Plugins. Here, you can activate, deactivate, or delete plugins as needed.
As we already said, many plugins have settings that you can adjust. To find these settings, look for the plugin’s name in the sidebar menu or under Settings. Click on it to open the plugin’s settings page and change how you want it to work on your site.
Remember to save your changes after you adjust any settings. If you’re unsure about any option, many plugins include helpful tips or links to more information.
Manage Users
If you have friends or team members helping with your website, you can add them as users. This way, everyone has their login and can help manage the site. To add a new user, go to the sidebar menu and click on Users, then select Add New User. Fill in the required details and click Add New User at the bottom.
WordPress has the following different user roles, each with specific permissions:
- Administrator
- Editor
- Author
- Contributor
- Subscriber
- Super Admin (for multisite installation)
So, choose the role that fits what each person needs to do.
Users can edit their profiles by clicking Users → Profile in the sidebar menu. They can change their display name, contact information, password, etc.
They can also update the appearance of their WordPress Dashboard – see diagram below.
As an Administrator user, you can manage all users. Go to Users → All Users to see a list. You can edit anyone’s profile, change their role, or remove them from the site. It’s important to manage users carefully to keep your site safe. Only give the Administrator access to someone you trust.
Configure Settings
The Settings section in WordPress allows you to customize basic options that affect how your site works. Let’s go over each option to help you get set up.
To start, go to Settings → General in the sidebar menu. Here, you’ll find some key options to set up your site’s identity, such as Site Title, Tagline, WordPress Address (URL), Site Address (URL), Administration Email Address, Timezone, Date Format, and Time Format.
The Writing settings are where you choose the default post category and format. It also allows you to enable Post via email, which lets you post when you send an email to a specific address.
In the Reading section, you can choose what visitors see on your homepage. You can set it to display your latest posts (like a blog) or a static page. You can also choose the number of posts to show on blog pages and search engine visibility.
Next, the Discussion settings control how comments work on your site. You can decide whether comments are allowed on posts, set up notifications for new comments, and manage comment approval. It’s helpful to set up moderation rules to reduce spam. However, if you want to disable comments completely, you may refer to the following tutorial:
– How To Disable Comments On WordPress: A Step-By-Step Guide
In Media, you can set the sizes for images uploaded to the Media Library. WordPress automatically creates different sizes for images, so keeping to standard sizes makes it easier to keep your media organized.
Also, you may navigate to Settings → Permalinks to change the permalinks on your pages or posts. For SEO many people choose Post Name because it’s clean and easy for visitors to remember. Each of these settings helps you control how your site’s content looks and works for visitors, so take a few minutes to set them up according to your preferences.
Explore Tools
Tools on the WordPress Admin Dashboard have various utility features to help manage and maintain your website. This includes options such as Import and Export which allow you to import content from other platforms or back up your WordPress content.
The Site Health tool checks your site for performance and security issues, providing improvement recommendations. Some plugins may add tools, like database optimization or bulk editing functions. Overall, Tools gives quick access to extra features that make managing your site easier.
Understand WordPress Toolbar
The WordPress Toolbar is a helpful tool in the WordPress Admin Dashboard that appears at the top of your screen when you log in. It’s a quick-access bar with shortcuts to important parts of your site, making it easier to manage your website while you’re on the go.
You can click Visit Site to view your website as a visitor.
You may also click the comments icon to navigate to Comments quickly.
Also, the +New button helps you create new posts, media, pages, and users.
You might also notice additional toolbar options when installing a new plugin. In this example, we installed the W3 Total Cache plugin, and it added a Performance option in the toolbar.
So, a toolbar is a time-saver, keeping these essential tasks within reach wherever you are on your site.
Disable the toolbar on the front end for a cleaner look when viewing your site. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to see your site exactly as your visitors do.
To turn off the toolbar, go to Users → Profile in the Admin menu. In profile settings, you’ll see an option that says Show Toolbar when viewing site. Uncheck this box, then scroll down and click Update Profile.
The toolbar won’t appear when viewing your site’s front end, though it will still be visible when you’re in the WordPress Admin Dashboard.
The WordPress toolbar is a handy tool. Customizing or disabling it lets you set up your workspace how you like it. With these simple adjustments, you can make your WordPress experience even smoother.
Essential Tips for Efficiently Using WP Admin
Using the WordPress Admin Dashboard efficiently can save you time and facilitate managing your site. Here are some handy tips to help you get the most out of it.
Use Quick Draft Widget
The Quick Draft widget on the Dashboard is perfect for capturing ideas on the go. Just open your Dashboard and find Quick Draft. In the box, write down any content ideas or notes you have. This way, you can save ideas as drafts and come back to revise them later. It’s a simple, fast way to keep track of your content ideas.
Shortcut Keys & Keyboard Navigation
WordPress has keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate and manage your site faster. For example, you can use j and k to move through comments and a and u to approve and disapprove them. These shortcuts are helpful if you manage plenty of content or comments. You can find a full list of WordPress shortcuts in your profile settings.
Manage Site Updates
Regular updates are important to keep a website secure and running smoothly. To check for the latest updates, go to Dashboard → Updates. You can see if WordPress, your themes, or plugins need updating. Keep everything updated from the Dashboard; it’s quick and helps your site perform its best.
Access Help & Support
If you need guidance, each section in WordPress has a Help menu in the top right corner. This gives you tips for the area you’re working on.
These simple tips make managing your WordPress site smoother so you can concentrate on creating great content.
Security Best Practices
To keep your WordPress site safe, always update WordPress, themes, and plugins. Updates fix security issues, making it harder for hackers to access your site. Use strong, unique passwords and assign user roles carefully to control access.
For extra protection, consider two-factor authentication (2FA), which requires a second step, like a phone code, to log in. Security plugins, like Wordfence or Solid Security, add firewalls and scan for threats, helping protect your site further.
However, if you are locked out from your WordPress admin dashboard, you can access your site via File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Rename the plugins folder to disable plugins, which may restore access. Then, log in and rename the folder. If you follow these practices, you create a secure environment for your site and its visitors.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The WordPress Admin Dashboard is your control center for managing your site.
- Access it by adding /wp-admin to your site URL and logging in with your credentials.
- Regularly update core WordPress, themes, and plugins to secure the website.
- Use the Quick Draft widget to save post ideas directly from the Dashboard.
- Keyboard shortcuts in WordPress help you navigate and manage content faster.
- Customize the Dashboard with widgets and color schemes for a personalized workspace.
- Enable 2FA authentication and use strong passwords for added security.
- Check the Help menu in each section for tips or visit WordPress Support if necessary.
FAQs
How do I access the WordPress Admin Dashboard?
To access the WordPress Admin Dashboard, go to your site’s URL and add /wp-admin at the end (e.g., www.yoursite.com/wp-admin). Provide your Username and Password to log in.
What can I do in the WP Admin Dashboard?
The WordPress Admin Dashboard is your main control center. From there, you can create posts, add pages, manage media files, customize themes, install plugins, and adjust settings. It’s where you’ll make all the changes to your site, manage users, and keep your site updated.
Why can’t I access my Admin WordPress Dashboard?
If you can’t access your Dashboard, it could be due to errors like 403 Forbidden or 404 Not Found. This often happens if there are issues with permissions or your .htaccess file. Sometimes, plugin conflicts cause problems, too. You can try clearing your browser cache or accessing your site via FTP to disable plugins temporarily.
How can I improve the speed of my Dashboard?
A slow Dashboard can be frustrating. To speed it up, remove unnecessary plugins, clear cache and update your WordPress and plugins. Choosing a lightweight theme and having a good hosting provider can also improve Dashboard speed.
What should I do If I forget my WP Admin Password?
If you forget your Password, go to the Login page and click Lost your password? Now, type the email address linked to your WordPress account, and WordPress will send you a link to reset it. Alternatively, if you have cPanel access, you can reset your Password in the database via phpMyAdmin.
Other Related Tutorials & Blogs:
– WordPress Widgets: How To Add & Use Them For Maximum Impact
– WooCommerce Shortcodes: A Guide to Their Uses & Benefits
– WordPress get_post_meta Function: How to Display Custom Fields
– How To Use The wp_insert_post Function In WordPress
– How to Use the wp_get_attachment_image Function in WordPress
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Rhett isn’t just a writer at Hosted.com – he’s our resident WordPress content guru. With over 6 years of experience as a content writer, with a background in copywriting, journalism, research, and SEO, and a passion for websites.
Rhett authors informative blogs, articles, and Knowledgebase guides that simplify the complexities of WordPress, website builders, domains, and cPanel hosting. Rhett’s clear explanations and practical tips provide valuable resources for anyone wanting to own and build a website. Just don’t ask him about coding before he’s had coffee.