How to View Hidden Pages on WordPress Website
Many WordPress users may have been frustrated by the decision to make the contents of their websites private. The idea behind this feature is to give users some peace of mind that their content will only be seen by those they have chosen to share it with. However, there are situations when you need to or want to reveal the content of your website. Here’s how you can do that.
Use Brackets
One of the best things about WordPress is the variety of ways it can be configured to work with your chosen CMS (content management system). If you decide that you want to keep some of your content private, you don’t necessarily have to remove it from your site. You can use WordPress’ built-in private browsing feature, which is essentially a private window within your browser that prevents most of the website from being viewed by third parties (e.g., Google). You can configure this feature to work with either your Google Account or an open incognito browsing session.
When you’re using private browsing mode within your browser, you won’t be able to view the usual page elements that makes up a standard webpage (e.g., headings, paragraphs, and links). Instead, you’ll see something similar to what you might find on a locked personal diary or journal entry. When you’re ready to publish your work, you can bring back the standard page view by simply refreshing the page.
While this may be a convenient solution for some situations, it doesn’t allow you to use certain elements of WordPress (e.g., widgets) if you want to keep some of your content private. For example, if you decide to use the Private Blog option with WordPress, the default dashboard widgets won’t be visible because they’re intended for personal use only. You can, however, bring back the standard page view by simply refreshing the page.
Use Extensions
One of the significant advantages of using WordPress is the variety of available extensions that can enhance the functionality of your website. For example, if you decide that you want to keep some of your content private, you can use the Noindex extension to block all traffic from searching for your site on Google.
Noindex is one of the most popular extensions in WordPress. You may have also heard of the NoFollow tag, which is almost exactly the same thing. The difference is that Noindex prevents search engines from following specific links or performing a specific action (e.g., include or display a specific page or post), while NoFollow essentially accomplishes the same thing but allows search engines to continue ranking your content as normal. For example, if you use the NoFollow tag on a link to your FAQ page, that page won’t show up within your site’s default search result because the search engine considers the FAQ page to be an external link.
Use A Plugin
WordPress comes with a variety of powerful plugins that can enhance the functionality of your site. One of the best features of WordPress is that it typically integrates well with other programs and/or platforms, such as email marketing platforms, affiliate programs, and social media sites. If you decide that you want to keep some of your content private, you can use a plugin to accomplish this.
The typical plugin setup requires that you activate the plugin within your WordPress dashboard. Once this is done, you can use the plugin’s settings page to either allow or disallow certain types of content (e.g., posts, pages, products, or classes) to be hidden based on your preferences. You can also adjust the settings for individual posts and pages if needed.
Some WordPress plugins, like the privacy plugin ShortyUSA, offer additional features that can make maintaining your privacy a bit easier. For example, with ShortyUSA you can set a custom message to display to users who are trying to reach your site while it’s being hosted on a private server. You can also use this plugin to completely remove posts and pages from your site in the event that you decide to delete them.
Use The Right Caching Plugin
Every website benefits from using a caching plugin, which stores previously downloaded content (e.g., images, stylesheets, and JavaScript) on your server so that when a user requests that content from your site, they don’t have to download it again. Many caching plugins will also cache the contents of your private blog so that when a visitor arrives at a post within your blog, their browser will pull down the cached version of that post rather than the actual content from your server.
There are a few things you should know about caching plugins before you decide to use one. First, make sure that the plugin you choose is compatible with WordPress. Also, ensure that the plugin’s settings are configured the same way you want them to be. Finally, make sure that you regularly check for updates to the plugin so that you can take advantage of any bug fixes or feature enhancements as soon as they’re released. If you decide to use caching for your WordPress site, there are several reputable plugins you can choose from.
Use A VPN
A virtual private network, or VPN, is a dedicated connection via the Internet that allows you to access the entire network (e.g., the web) privately and securely. Using a VPN allows you to connect to your WordPress site via a secure connection that prevents others from snooping on your activity.
There are several reputable VPN services available that can be used to protect your personal and business data while you’re online. If you decide that you want to use a VPN to connect to your WordPress site, you can choose from a variety of providers that offer either free or premium services. You should also look for a VPN that offers strong encryption, an extensive no-logs policy, and a simple to use client interface.
Use An Incognito Browser
An incognito browser is a special type of browser that launches a private browsing window within your existing web browser. This type of browser prevents websites you visit from leaving traces on your PC, which could potentially lead to the discovery of your activities online. In other words, the contents of your incognito browser are essentially hidden from public view, which is one of the reasons many people prefer to use them. There are several reputable brands of incognito browsers you can choose from, including the popular Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
If you decide that you want to use an incognito browser to access your WordPress site, you can simply click on the padlock icon located at the upper right hand corner of your browser’s toolbar to open your incognito window. Once the window is open, you can use it to navigate to any website you desire privately and securely.
Use A Virtual Private Server (VPS)
A virtual private server, or VPS, is a special server that resides in the cloud and provides you with a virtual IP address, which enables you to access your site privately via the Internet. When you connect to a VPS, you don’t need to worry about leaving traces of your activity online because all interactions with the server are encrypted end to end. This makes a VPS ideal for accessing your site privately or securely when you’re connected to public networks like WiFi or a cellular data network.
There are several reputable companies that offer VPS services, including the famous Linode (which is completely free) and the Amazon Web Services (AWS). If you decide that you want to use a VPS to host your site, make sure to look for one that offers 24/7 support and has a simple to use control panel that can be accessed via your web browser.
Use Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing resources (e.g., storage, bandwidth, and computing power) via the Internet rather than from personal computers. Many companies and organizations offer cloud computing services that allow you to upload your site to the cloud and access your content remotely via the Internet. This type of setup provides several advantages over storing your site on a personal computer. For example, you can access your content on multiple devices and at any time from anywhere. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about losing or breaking your computer since your data is safely stored on remote servers.
When choosing a cloud computing company, make sure to look for one that has been around for a while and is known for providing reliable service. Also, ensure that their customer support is available 24/7/365 via email or live chat so that you can get the help you need when you need it.