How to Add User Accounts in WordPress
WordPress is one of the most popular and most used blogging platforms out there, currently sitting at over 100 million downloads. With its versatile interface and vast functionality, you can customize and manipulate website content in many ways, including the setup of different user accounts for different roles.
What Are User Accounts in WordPress?
User accounts are simply login credentials for individual users, which give them access to specific areas of your WordPress website. You can give users the ability to post content, comment on existing posts, and more. You can also control what content each user can access using a role-based permissions system.
In a nutshell, user accounts in WordPress are similar to logins in other websites and social media platforms, but they can also be tailored and amplified for specific uses and functions within your WordPress website. When setting up new user accounts in WordPress, you should do so with care and attention to detail, in order to avoid any unnecessary errors and frustration down the line.
Why Do I Need User Accounts In My WordPress Website?
Depending on the size and scope of your WordPress website, the answer to this question can vary. However, for most businesses and websites, the answer is a clear and resounding “yes.”
If you’re looking to expand your WordPress functionality and need some help deciding what user roles and permissions to assign, check out our handy guide below. We’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up user accounts in WordPress so you can get back to blogging or pursuing whatever it is you do online.
How Do I Add User Accounts In WordPress?
To add user accounts in WordPress, you need to follow these simple steps:
- Go to Plugins in your WordPress dashboard.
- Click Add New, and a popup will appear.
- From the dropdown menu, select User. A new box will appear below the search bar where you can type in a username for the new user. (optional): You can leave the username field blank and create a new user with the same email as the existing user (this is the common practice).
- Type in a password and click Create User.
- You’ll now be taken to a new page that lists your newly created user accounts. You can click on the Dashboard link towards the top of the page to return to your WordPress dashboard.
Now that you have a user account for the new or existing user, you can edit their information from your WordPress dashboard. You can also change their password by clicking on the User link and selecting Account from the dropdown menu. You’ll then be taken to a page where you can change their password. If you set up this account using the same email address as an existing account, you’ll be prompted to merge the two accounts. Doing this will give you access to all the content that was previously available to the original account holder, as well as give you an opportunity to keep track of all your WordPress account details in one place.
What Should I Keep In Mind When Adding User Accounts In WordPress?
We warned you above about errors and frustration, and that’s because it’s very easy to accidentally delete or change something when adding or editing user accounts in WordPress. To ensure that you don’t make any mistakes, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make Sure That You’re Logged In As An Administrator Before You Begin Editing
- Check For Errors After You’ve Edited All The User Accounts Once You’re Sure That Everything Is Ok
- Double Check To Make SURE That You’ve Removed All Traces Of The User Account You Edited
- Never Undo An Edit To A User Account!
- Always Back Up Your WordPress Database
- Use Unique, Appropriate Username And Password For Each User Account
- Avoid Reusing The Same Password For Multiple Accounts
- Make Sure That You’ve Set Up Email Notification For Each User Account
With these simple tips in mind, you’ll be able to add user accounts in WordPress without any worries. Just make sure to follow them meticulously.