Thanks for taking the time to read another post in our WordPress for Beginners blog series. Today, we welcome you to our overview guide on navigating the WordPress Dashboard. Shrouded, this admin area is fundamental to the success of any project, as it is the central hub for managing your website and blog.
In this simplified piece, we will walk you through the various base components of the WordPress Dashboard, focusing primarily on the features found in the Sidebar Navigation. From creating new posts and managing comments to adjusting settings and personalizing your theme, understanding these elements will empower you to run your website effectively and harness its capabilities.
If you're a greenhorn and new to blogging or administering a website, getting acquainted with why WordPress is the perfect platform for beginners is an essential first step.
Otherwise, for interested parties, by the end of this post, you should feel more comfortable navigating the WordPress Dashboard and be ready to start building your new website. Aller!
Visualize the Dashboard: Must-Do Steps Before Getting Started
Before diving into the specifics of the WordPress Dashboard, it's helpful to have a clear view of what you'll be working with. This blog post assumes that you have access to a live website so you can visualize things for yourself and follow along as we explain some of the broader elements. If you don't have access to a WordPress instance or the Dashboard just yet, don't worry! You can easily create a free WordPress site to explore and practice by visiting:
Note: Before starting the sign-up process, read the terms and conditions associated with a free WordPress.com account. Take special note of the caveats and limitations of a free plan, including restrictions on customization, storage, and more.
Upon logging into your WordPress site, the WordPress Dashboard presents itself as the central nervous system of your site. Let us break down its primary areas to set the stage for deeper exploration:
The Sidebar in the WordPress Dashboard is your gateway to all the administrative capabilities of your site. The items on the Sidebar menu provide access to different pages and options to control and manage the content and features of your website as follows:
Under the Posts menu item, you will find options such as All Posts, Add New, Categories, and Tags:
The Media section consists of Library and Add New:
3. Pages
Similar to posts, under the Pages menu, you have All Pages and Add New:
4. Comments
By clicking here, you will go to a page where you can moderate all the comments made on your site:
5. Appearance
This section includes Themes, Customize, Widgets, Menus, Background, and Theme Editor:
6. Plugins
Manage your plugins under Installed Plugins, Add New, and Plugin Editor:
Navigating the WordPress Dashboard is a breeze. It offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies blogging, facilitating content management and enhancing reader engagement.
7. Users
This sidebar menu section provides three options: All Users, Add New, and Profile.
8. Tools
This section includes Available Tools, Import, Export, Site Health, Export Personal Data, and Erase Personal Data:
9. Settings
This final section includes settings that affect how your site functions globally:
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The content on this website is for informational purposes only and reflects personal opinions based on experience. It does not constitute professional advice, and we do not guarantee specific outcomes from using the tools or strategies discussed. While we strive for accuracy in our writings, readers should understand that these articles represent a snapshot in time—plugins update, tools evolve, and features may change. We encourage readers to independently verify information before implementation.
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