How to Make Your WordPress Dashboard Private
One of the most common questions new WordPress users ask themselves is, “Where do I start?” The truth is, there is a lot to learn, and it can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure everything out on your own. That’s why many people choose to use a dashboard, a special area of the WordPress backend that provides an organizational and functional structure for the site. With a little bit of planning and configuration, you can have a completely private dashboard that only the administrators of your site will have access to.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to make your WordPress dashboard private so only you have access to the area, and we’ll also cover some of the best practices for using a private dashboard.
Why Have a Private Dashboard?
A private dashboard gives you a spot to manage all the aspects of your website, from design to content to links to analytics. This area of the WordPress backend is generally only accessible by the site administrator, so it serves as a secure spot for handling the critical functions of your site. A private dashboard also provides you with a place to experiment with new features and functionality without risking the security of your website.
One of the biggest benefits of a private dashboard is the ability to experiment with new frontend features or workflows without worrying about breaking something on your live site. You can learn more about experimental features in WordPress here. You can also find out more about using a private dashboard in this detailed guide to creating a developer sandbox in WordPress.
How to Make Your WordPress Dashboard Private
In order to have a private dashboard, you will need to do the following:
- Go to Dashboard → Settings on your WordPress admin toolbar
- Scroll down to the Privacy section and set the option to “Limited (only for admins)”
- Click the “Save Changes” button
- Navigate back to Dashboard and you will see your new, private dashboard
Make sure You Practice Safe Coding
A frequent cause of frustration for WordPress users is trying to figure out why their site is behaving unexpectedly or why something isn’t working as expected. When this happens, it’s generally due to one of two things: coding errors or unsafe input. If you want to keep your site safe from hackers and other malfunctions, you should practice caution when coding and inputting data into your site. This will help ensure that your site functions smoothly and that you don’t end up with any embarrassing glitches.
Use Strong Passwords
If you use the same password for your WordPress dashboard that you use for your other accounts, you’re setting yourself up for trouble. Changing your password for the WordPress dashboard isn’t something you need to do often, but it’s good practice to change it periodically so attackers have more trouble accessing your personal information. For extra security, use a different password for each account, and make sure you don’t use any of your passwords on common websites. You can learn more about creating a strong password here.
Protect Your WordPress Dashboard
Just like any other part of your website, your WordPress dashboard is at risk for hackers and other malfunctions. In order to protect your personal information, you should take the following steps:
- Change the password for the “admin” account (found on Dashboard → Settings) immediately
- Back up your site frequently (at least once per week)
- Experiment with the new features and functionality in WordPress
- Update your plugins regularly (at least once per month)
- Configure the security of your WordPress installation (if you’re not sure how, visit the security section of WordPress.org for instructions)
Keeping your WordPress dashboard private isn’t difficult; it just takes a little bit of planning and a lot of caution when coding. Once you have a private dashboard, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.