Hey, bloggers! It’s us again, back to share knowledge that helps you navigate WordPress like a pro! It’s one of the most popular blogging platforms out there (and our favorites), so we like to share plenty of tips and tricks to get the most out of your WordPress site.
From simple blogs to complicated e-commerce sites, WordPress is super user-friendly, versatile, and futureproof. That’s why it’s so popular! But with a platform that has many features as WordPress, it can be difficult to figure out how to do even some of the simplest tasks.
So, today, we’re showing you how to add users to WordPress! This is an essential feature if you’re working with a team or collaborating with others. And, guess what? It’s pretty easy to do! Whether you’re bringing on a new writer, editor, blog tech, designer, or someone else, here’s how to add a new user to WordPress:
How to Add User in WordPress: The Ins and Outs
In this guide, we’re going to walk you through all the who, what, when, where, and why of adding new users, and we’re also going to dive into the user roles! From subscribers to admins, each role has its own power and permissions. Understanding the difference between administrator, editor, author, contributor, and subscriber can help avoid mistakes and mishaps. Let’s break it down together!
What Are The Different Types Of Users In WordPress?
Administrator
The WordPress administrator is the top dog and the site owner! They have access to everything in WordPress from content management to site settings, and even plugin installation. They can add, edit, or delete multiple users; control themes, plugins, and all settings; and oversee everything on the site. If you’re building a site and want control, you’ll want to assign yourself the Admin role. Just remember that the level of access means it’s best to only assign this role to people you trust!
Editor
The editor is the content person. They can manage content but don’t have any access to the more technical aspects of the site, like themes or plugins. They can edit, publish, and delete any posts or pages, moderate comments, and manage categories. In this role, Editors won’t have access to site settings or user management. If you’ve got writers on your team, the editor role is what you’d use.
Author
Authors can create and manage their own content, but can’t mess with anyone else’s posts. They can write, edit, and publish their own posts, but have zero access to pages, plugins, or themes. They also can’t delete posts once published, they can only update them. This role is perfect if your site has multiple contributors that don’t need access to the entire site.
Contributor
This is the entry-level role for users who want to write but don’t need publishing power. Contributors can ONLY submit posts for review. They can write and edit their own posts, but can’t publish them or upload any media files. All posts need approval from an editor or administrator before going live. This option is usually for new writers who need a little more oversight.
Subscriber
The subscriber role is the most basic role! This option is for users who register on your site but have no content management capabilities. They can update their profile and manage their own subscriptions, but can’t create, edit, or publish posts. If you have membership areas, they can read this content. This option is usually for people who sign up for newsletters or memberships.
Shop Manager (For WooCommerce Sites)
If you’re running an online store, the shop manager role is perfect for someone who needs to manage the shop’s products, order, and customers without any admin access. They can manage products, order, and customers and view reports and sales data, but can’t manage WordPress settings, themes, or plugins. This role is ideal for people who handle the day-to-day operations of an eCommerce site.
How to Add A User in WordPress
Step 1: Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Before you can add any users, you need to be logged into the “WordPress Admin Area.” Open your browser and log in to your WordPress dashboard. You’ll need to be logged in as an administrator to have permission to add new users.
Step 2: Go to the “Users” section.
The Users section is where you’ll manage everyone who has access to your site. Once you’re logged in, find the left-hand menu in your dashboard. Hover over the Users menu item. This will reveal a list of options, including All Users, Add New, and Profile. Click on Add New to begin adding a user.
Step 3: Fill in the users details.
This is where you’ll provide all the important info for the new user. You’ll need to include:
- Username
- Email Address
- First and Last Name
- Website
- Password
- Role
Step 4: Add the new user.
Now you’ve filled out all the details, it’s time to add a user to your WordPress site. Double-check all the info and click the Add New User button at the bottom of the form.
Step 5: Send the user an email notification (optional)
WordPress gives you the option to notify the user by email with their login details. If you click the box next to “Send the New User an Email About Their Account,” WordPress will send an email to the user with their username and password. If you leave the box unchecked, the user won’t receive an email right away.
Step 6: Review and edit user details.
After adding the user, you might want to review the details just to make sure they’re right. To do this, go to Users and then All Users. Find the newly added user list and click Edit. From here, you can change anything as needed.
How to Manage Users in WordPress
Access the users section.
To access the users section, go from your dashboard and click users. From there, you can add new users, edit roles, and manage user profiles.
Edit user roles and permissions.
To edit user roles and permissions, navigate to Users, then All Users. From there, click Edit under a user’s name and change their role. Make sure you assign roles carefully based on what users need access to.
Add new users.
To add new users, go to the Users section and then click the Add New User button. Enter the user’s details, as above like username, email, etc, and then set their role. Never assign an administrator unless you totally have to!
Delete any unnecessary users.
When it comes to removing users you don’t need, go to Users, All Users, and then hover over a user and click Delete. Just make sure you attribute content to another user before deletion if you have to.
Update user profiles.
To update profiles of users, go to Users, All Users, and Edit. Update the details needed and confirm the changes.
Monitor user activity.
You can install plugins like WP Activity Log to track user actions.
Enforce strong passwords.
Encourage users to use EXTRA strong passwords or use plugins to enforce them. This will make sure your site security is super up-to-date.
Use two-factor authentication.
To do this, install plugins like Wordfence to enable two-factor authentication for users. It’s just a great way to add extra protection!
Now you can add users to WordPress with ease!
WordPress’s user roles offer a whole heap of flexibility depending on how you want your site to run. From full control to just writing and submitting content, these roles make it SUPER easy to manage who can do what. Whether you’re building a blog, a big e-commerce site, an online portfolio, or something else, understanding these roles are super helpful.
Got more questions? Head to the InfluencerSEO site to see if we can answer it! And while you’re at it, learn more about Wix vs WordPress to find out how they compare to each other!
Jordan Becerra, founder and Lead SEO Strategist at InfluencerSEO, has spent almost 15 years in the creator internet space, the last nine building InfluencerSEO into the go-to SEO partner for content creators, with 500+ creators served from pre-launch to massive publication. She learned creator monetization and community building strategy from the inside working for Lauryn Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential prior to founding InfluencerSEO, so she understands both halves of the game: how search actually works AND how creators actually build a strong community online and make money. Her job now is to stay ahead of where search engine optimization is going, especially as AI rewrites the rules, and to make sure the creators she works with get there first.
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