How to Restrict Website Access to Only Users – WordPress
Restricting website access to your users – also known as limiting guest blogging or social media engagement – is an effective measure to prevent content theft, protect your brand, and grow your audience.
While there are a number of reasons why you would want to allow only certain people to access your website and / or blog, these users usually have to log in using an ID and password. Therefore, restricting website access to your users means you will have to implement some type of login system. This can be as simple as using a WordPress login form (with a hidden field that checks for a valid email address) or setting up a Patreon account for the blog.
Before you implement a login system, consider the implications and possible alternatives. For example, if you decide to implement a login system, how will you handle lost passwords and account security?
The Pros And Cons Of Implementing A Login System
The implementation of a login system will likely improve your website or blog’s usability, security, and accessibility. Here are some of the advantages of using a login system:
Increasing User Confidence
Giving users the experience of being able to login to a website or blog will increase their confidence in doing business with you or using your services. When a user is presented with a login form, they are more likely to fill it out – even if they are not sure what their email address is or if they are worried about whether or not they will be able to log in.
A login system that uses a temporary password in combination with a user’s email address as a form of authentication has the advantage of being user-friendly. If a user forgets their temporary password, they can simply email you back to get a new one. In addition, you can send them a verification email containing a link to reset their password.
Giving Users Freedom Of Choice
Giving users the freedom of choice when it comes to logging in to your website or blog is a key part of any effective marketing or sales strategy. If you decide to implement a login system for the purposes of restricting website access, you are limiting the ways in which your users can engage with your content. However, if you are thinking about implementing a login system for the purposes of encouraging interaction and engagement – i.e., guest blogging or using social media to promote your products and services – then you should definitely consider the ramifications of this decision.
To give users the best experience on your website or blog, you should consider a number of factors, such as how temporary the passwords will be and whether or not you will allow users to use an authentication service like Google or Facebook to log in to their account.
Prevents Content Theft
Giving users the ability to log in to your website or blog will prevent content theft. If you are regularly losing content, especially when published by other established media houses, then you should consider implementing a login system to prevent this from happening again.
With a login system in place, you can also track and monitor who is attempting to steal or replicate your content. If you catch these people, you can hand down heavy fines or even take legal action.
Protects Your Brand
Giving users the ability to log in to your website or blog will also protect your brand. If someone maliciously or mistakenly tries to tamper with your website or blog, then they will not be able to without the proper credentials. In these situations, you can hand down heavy fines or even take legal action.
Protecting your brand on the web is one of the primary reasons why you would want to implement a login system. The better the implementation, the better the outcome. If you want to protect your brand, then take the time to really think about how you want to go about doing this – both online and off.
Increases User Interaction And Engagement
Giving users the freedom of choice when it comes to logging in to your website or blog will also increase user interaction and engagement. If you decide to implement a login system for the purposes of encouraging interaction and engagement, you are losing out on a huge potential audience. With a little bit of effort, you can bring this audience back to your side.
In order to do this, you will have to create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their opinions, ideas, and suggestions. To do this, you will need to consider things like social media engagement, webinars, and live chats.
The implementation of a login system will likely improve your website or blog’s usability, security, and accessibility. Here are some of the advantages of using a login system: