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To manage your website, you need to access the "back end"—the private area where you create and edit content. This is separate from the "front end" that your visitors see.

1. Accessing Your Login Page

Every WordPress site has a standard login address.

  • The URL: Add /wp-admin to the end of your website address (e.g., [www.yourdomain.com](https://www.yourdomain.com).au/wp-admin). If you are our Custom Website client, we usually created a unique URL for your security. The access will be in your Website Manual

  • Enter your unique username and password.

  • Bookmark this page in your browser so you can find it quickly next time.


2. Navigating the Dashboard (Mission Control)

Once you log in, you’ll arrive at the Dashboard. This is the nerve center of your website.

The Top Admin Bar

The dark bar at the very top is your constant companion; it stays visible across every page of the "back end."

  • Your Site Name: Located in the top-left corner. This is a live link—click it at any time to jump from the dashboard to your live homepage.

  • User Profile: In the top-right corner, you’ll see your name (e.g., Joe Blogg).

    • To Log Out: Hover over your name to reveal the Log Out link.

    • Edit Profile: This same hover menu allows you to update your password or personal settings.

New Feature Pointers

WordPress occasionally updates its tools to give you a better experience. When this happens, you might see a New Feature Pointer (a small pop-up box).

  • What they do: These are designed to highlight a specific area that has changed or improved, such as an updated Toolbar.

  • How to clear them: Once you’ve read the tip, simply click Dismiss to hide the pointer and get back to work.

Hidden Tools: Help & Screen Options

Just below your username in the top-right corner, you’ll find two small tabs that are incredibly useful for customizing your workspace.

1. Screen Options

This tab is your best friend for keeping your workspace tidy. When you click it, a panel slides down with settings specific to the page you are currently viewing.

  • On the Dashboard: You can check or uncheck boxes to choose exactly which panels (like "Site Health" or "At a Glance") you want to see. You can also choose how many columns the layout uses.

  • On Pages or Posts: It allows you to show or hide advanced settings like "Featured Images," "Categories," or "Author" boxes.

  • The Benefit: If your screen feels cluttered, use this to hide the things you don't need!

2. Help

If you’re ever unsure about a specific section, click the Help tab.

  • Contextual Support: Like the Screen Options, the information here changes based on your location in the dashboard.

  • What’s Inside: It provides quick explanations of the tools on that specific page and often includes links to official documentation if you want to dive deeper.

 

Dashboard Menu Options

 

The Main Navigation Menu

The sidebar on the left is your primary toolkit. It stays visible as you work, allowing you to jump between different sections of your site easily.

How to Navigate

  • Fly-out Menus: Hover your mouse over any main item (like Posts) to see a "fly-out" menu with specific sub-options.

  • Expanding Sections: Clicking a main menu item will expand it, keeping those sub-options visible while you work in ? section.

  • Collapse Menu: At the very bottom, you can click "Collapse Menu" to shrink the sidebar to icons, giving you more screen space to design.

Quick Guide to Menu Items

  • Pages: The core of your site (Home, About, Services).

  • Posts: Your blog articles and news updates.

  • Media: Your library for images, PDFs, and videos.

  • Appearance: Where the visual "vibe" and themes live.

  • Plugins: Extra "apps" that add functionality to your site.

  • Settings: The "under the hood" configurations for how your site behaves.