In this article, we’ll provide an overview of managing a WordPress website, covering essential aspects such as updates, security, performance optimization, content management, and more. Follow along to master your website management strategies.
Getting Started #
Start by navigating to the WordPress tab nested in the Sites section of your account. Here, you will see all the WordPress websites you have created. Click the website you wish to manage.
Edit Site Name #
Click the pencil icon beside the current site name to update it to reflect any changes to the function or purpose of the site. Note that this change does not affect SEO or the actual site title.
Quickstart #
Clicking the Quickstart button allows you to view the required steps to complete the site setup.
Quick Actions #
In the Quick Actions menu, you can clear the cache for the WordPress Site or troubleshoot the site. By clearing the cache, you force the website to fetch fresh data from the server, ensuring improved performance and accuracy.
WP Admin #
Open the Admin Dashboard of your site to access various elements of your site, including posts, pages, themes, plugins, settings, and much more.
Switch Site #
Seamlessly manage multiple sites by using the site switcher and selecting the desired site from the dropdown.
Info #
This is the initial tab you will encounter upon selecting your site. In this section, you can access both your site and admin portal links, with the ability to share or open them based on your requirements.
You can also keep track of the domains and subdomains added in the Manage Your Domains section. Additionally, you can import an existing WordPress site using the All-in-One WP Migration plugin or manually by choosing a file from your device.
Analytics #
Site Report #
Switch to the Analytics tab to view important metrics for your site over the selected timeframe including response codes, CDN Usage, and Site Traffic. Integrating a CDN like Cloudflare can help distribute your site’s content across multiple servers around the world, speeding up load times.
Visitors Report #
If you would like to see a breakdown of the site users according to their geographic location, click the Visitor’s Report option. You will see both the numerical value and the regions highlighted on the map for visual emphasis. Furthermore, a list of top client IPs and browsers will be accessible for you to gain a more comprehensive understanding of your audience. For more detailed insights, scroll to the Access Logs table.
Performance Report #
The performance report section highlights key metrics of your site. If a report isn’t readily available, click the Fetch Report button to load it. With easy-to-read visuals and detailed breakdowns, you can quickly assess your strengths, spot growth opportunities, and make informed decisions to enhance your online presence.
Users #
Keep track of Members and their permission levels in the Users area.
WordPress User Roles #
- Administrator: Full access to all site settings and content.
- Editor: Can create and edit content, but cannot access settings.
- Author: Can create and edit their content, but cannot modify others’ posts.
- Contributor: Can write content, but cannot publish it.
- Subscriber: Can view content but cannot make changes.
Plugins #
Plugins extend the functionality of your WordPress site, allowing you to add features such as contact forms, SEO tools, security enhancements, and more. View, enable/disable, or remove plugins within this section. Managing plugins effectively is key to maintaining the functionality and performance of your website. Enable automatic updates to ensure compatibility and security, and refresh the section to verify that any adjustments have been maintained.
Themes #
Activate themes to elevate your WordPress experience. Note that only one theme can be applied at any time. Enable automatic updates to ensure compatibility and security, and refresh the section to verify that any adjustments have been maintained.
Backups #
Regular backups are essential to ensure your WordPress site can be restored in case of data loss, hacking, or server failure. Use backup plugins to schedule regular backups of your website or utilize the manual backup feature as required.
Pages #
This tab displays pages associated with the selected site and provides the option to add a new HTML page.
Activity Logs #
You can review all actions taken on the site in this section. It provides key details such as user identification, allowing you to see who performed each action, and a timestamp that indicates exactly when the action was taken. This feature is particularly useful for tracking changes in your site’s configuration or for monitoring user activity, ensuring transparency and accountability in site management. Filter your results by the date the event occurred for more targeted analysis or enable/disable the feature for enhanced control.
Advanced Settings #
FTP Access #
Upon clicking the Advanced Settings option, you will see the FTP Access tool. This section allows you to manage FTP access and configure communication settings.
Cache Management #
This section provides another area for you to clear the site cache, allowing you to update the cached content with newer versions while keeping the existing cache intact.
WordPress Debugging #
Utilise this tool to access PHP error messages, warnings, notices, and other developer-related notifications on your website. Enabling site debugging in WordPress shows errors and warnings, useful for administrators to identify and fix issues. However, keeping debugging active can harm user experience by displaying errors to visitors, so it should only be enabled when necessary.
Server Settings #
Manage your WordPress Database using phpMyAdmin. Any changes made within this interface are at your discretion and responsibility. Additionally, you can enable or disable SSH access to perform common system administration tasks.
WordPress Management #
Manage automatic updates for core features, with the following options:
- Off – Disable automatic updates.
- Latest Version – Automatically update to the latest WordPress release.
- Minor Version Only – Limit updates to minor versions only.
Note: The automatic updates for Plugins and Themes must be managed within the respective section. You can also prevent search engines from indexing your site by toggling the SEO Indexing switch.
Delete Site #
In this section, you can remove an inactive site, reset a site under development to start fresh, or cancel your subscription. Please note that deleting a WordPress site is a permanent action; once initiated, all data will be permanently removed, and content recovery will not be possible. If you are not able to cancel your account through this section, please contact your account administrator.
By staying on top of these essential management tasks, you can ensure your WordPress website runs smoothly, stays secure, and provides an optimal user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions #
Where do I manage my WordPress sites? #
Go to the WordPress tab within the Sites section of your account. There you’ll see all your WordPress websites and can click any one to manage it.
Does renaming my site affect SEO? #
No. Editing the site name using the pencil icon is for internal reference only and does not affect SEO or the actual site title.
What are the WordPress user roles? #
The roles are Administrator (full access), Editor (content plus editing others’ posts), Author (own content), Contributor (write but not publish), and Subscriber (view only).
How do I improve my site’s performance? #
Clear the cache via Quick Actions to force fresh data, integrate a CDN like Cloudflare to speed up load times, and review the Performance Report for optimization opportunities.
Should I leave WordPress debugging enabled? #
Only when necessary. Debugging reveals PHP errors and warnings useful for fixing issues, but leaving it active can display errors to visitors and harm the user experience.
Is deleting a WordPress site reversible? #
No. Deleting a site is permanent. All data is removed and content recovery is not possible, so proceed only when you are certain.
