Managing WordPress Users and Permissions

This article shows you how to add, remove and manage users on your WordPress website.

Adding a New User

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard by visiting yourwebsite.ie/wp-admin
2. Click Users in the left menu, then click Add New
3. Fill in the user details:
   • Username: Choose something simple like their first name or email address
   • Email: Enter their email address
   • First Name and Last Name: Enter their real name
   • Website: Leave blank unless they have a business website
   • Password: WordPress creates a strong password automatically. You can change this if needed
   • Role: Choose the right permission level (see roles explained below)
4. Tick Send the new user an email about their account if you want them to receive login details
5. Click Add New User

Understanding User Roles

WordPress has five main user roles. Each role can do different things on your website:

Administrator: Can do everything - change themes, install plugins, delete content, manage users. Only give this to people you completely trust.

Editor: Can write, edit and publish all posts and pages (including other people's content). Good for content managers.

Author: Can write, edit and publish their own posts only. Cannot create pages or edit other people's content.

Contributor: Can write and edit their own posts but cannot publish them. Someone else must approve their content first.

Subscriber: Can only read content and manage their own profile. Useful for membership sites or newsletters.

Changing User Permissions

1. Go to Users → All Users
2. Find the person you want to change
3. Click Edit under their name
4. Scroll down to Role and select the new permission level
5. Click Update User

Removing a User

1. Go to Users → All Users
2. Hover over the user you want to remove
3. Click Delete
4. Choose what to do with their content:
   • Delete all content: Removes all their posts and pages permanently
   • Attribute all content to: Transfers their content to another user
5. Click Confirm Deletion

Resetting Someone's Password

1. Go to Users → All Users
2. Click Edit under their name
3. Scroll down to Account Management
4. Click Generate Password
5. WordPress creates a new password automatically
6. Click Update User
7. The user will receive an email with their new login details

If you're still stuck with managing WordPress users, contact Web60 support through your client area. Include details about what you're trying to do and any error messages you see.

FAQ

Q: How many users can I add to my WordPress website?

A: There's no limit to the number of users you can add to your WordPress site.

Q: Can I change someone from Administrator to Editor without losing their content?

A: Yes, changing user roles never deletes their existing posts or pages.

Q: What happens if I delete the only Administrator account?

A: Don't do this - you'll lose access to important settings. Always keep at least one Administrator account active.

Q: Can users change their own passwords?

A: Yes, users can change their password by going to Users → Profile in their WordPress dashboard.

Q: Do I need to create accounts for people who just read my blog?

A: No, anyone can read your blog posts without an account unless you specifically make your site private.

Q: Can an Editor delete my entire website?

A: No, Editors cannot delete themes, plugins or other users. They can only manage content like posts and pages.

Q: What's the difference between Username and Display Name?

A: Username is for logging in and cannot be changed. Display Name appears on blog posts and can be changed anytime.