When you first log in to WordPress, the first thing you see is the WordPress Dashboard. This is the control center for your website, where you can manage everything, from creating posts to changing your site’s appearance. It may look a little overwhelming at first, but once you understand the key sections, you’ll feel right at home.
1. The Top Bar
At the very top of the page, you’ll see a bar with a few important links:
- My Account: This shows your user profile and allows you to log out.
- Site Name: Click here to visit the front end of your website.
- Admin Toolbar: It also provides quick links to some useful sections, like creating new posts, adding media, or viewing comments.
2. The Sidebar Menu
On the left side of the dashboard, you’ll see a vertical menu with several options. This is where you’ll do most of your work. Here’s a breakdown of the most important sections:
- Posts: This is where you create, edit, and manage blog posts. You can add new posts, categories, and tags to organize your content.
- Media: Here, you can upload and manage images, videos, and other files used on your site. Every image or file you upload is stored in the Media Library.
- Pages: This section is for static pages like your “About” or “Contact” page, which are separate from blog posts.
- Comments: If your site allows comments, this is where you can manage them—approve, reply, or delete.
- Appearance: This section allows you to change the design of your website. You can choose a theme, customize it, and manage widgets (small elements like a search bar or recent posts).
- Plugins: Plugins add extra features to your website, like adding contact forms or SEO tools. You can install, update, and activate plugins here.
- Settings: This is where you control general website settings, like your site title, time zone, and permalink structure.
3. The Dashboard Itself
In the main area of the page, you’ll find an overview of your site’s recent activity. This includes:
- Quick Draft: You can start writing a new post here without navigating to the full post editor.
- Activity: Shows recent posts, comments, and updates to your site.
- At a Glance: Gives a quick summary of your site’s posts, pages, and comments.
- WordPress News: You’ll find updates on WordPress features and tips to help improve your site.
Conclusion
The WordPress Dashboard is your main hub for managing your website. Once you get used to it, you’ll find it to be a powerful and easy-to-use tool to maintain and grow your site. Happy WordPressing!