WordPress Dashboard
The WordPress Dashboard is the central place for managing your website. It’s the first screen you’ll see after logging in, and where you’ll access all major tools for creating content and configuring your site.
Table of Contents
Start here: watch the walkthrough (5 minutes)
What the Dashboard is used for
The dashboard is designed to give editors and administrators a single place to navigate the site’s management tools. While the exact options may vary depending on your user role or site features, the overall structure remains consistent. Understanding how the dashboard is organized makes it much easier to find the tools you need and move efficiently between different areas of the site.
You’ll use it to:
- Create and manage Pages, Posts, and other Content Types
- Upload and organize files in the Media Library
- Manage users and permissions
- Configure site settings
- Access tools provided by plugins or custom site features
Think of the dashboard as the navigation hub for the administrative side of your website.
Accessing the Dashboard
To access the dashboard:
- Log in to your WordPress site
- After logging in, you will be taken directly to the Dashboard
You can return to the dashboard at any time by clicking Dashboard in the sidebar navigation.
Key Dashboard sections
The dashboard is organized into three primary areas:
Top toolbar
The top toolbar appears across the top of the screen. It provides quick access to a few common actions.
- Visit Site – Opens the public-facing version of the website
- User profile menu – Access profile settings or log out
Some sites may also display quick links to create new content or access plugin tools.
The toolbar remains visible throughout the dashboard and also the front-end website while logged in so you can quickly navigate between the administrative interface and the live website.
Sidebar navigation
The sidebar navigation is the primary way to move between different sections of the dashboard.
This menu appears on the left side of the screen and contains links to the major tools used to manage the site.
Common sections include:
- Pages – Create and manage site pages
- Posts – Manage blog posts or news content
- Custom Post Types – Some sites may have additional content types
- Media – Access the Media Library for images and files
- Users – Manage user accounts and roles
- Appearance – Access the Site Editor
- Settings – Configure site-wide settings
Depending on the site, additional sections may appear for features provided by plugins or custom functionality. Because these features vary from site to site, the sidebar may look slightly different on different websites.
User roles and permissions
The items visible in the sidebar depend on your user role which helps prevent accidental changes to critical site settings.
- Administrators typically see all dashboard options, including system settings and user management.
- Editors, Authors, and Contributors generally see only the sections needed to create and manage content.
Main workspace
The main workspace is the large area in the center of the dashboard. Most editors will not use this screen and move on to other areas. When you first open the dashboard, this space may display informational widgets such as:
- Site activity
- WordPress news or announcements
- Quick draft tools
These widgets provide general information about the site and the WordPress platform. On many sites, editors will spend very little time in this area since most work happens within the sections accessed from the sidebar navigation.
Tip: You can click and drag widgets to rearrange them on your Dashboard.
Best practices
Focus on the sidebar navigation
Most day-to-day tasks start by selecting an item from the sidebar menu. Becoming familiar with these sections will help you move quickly through the dashboard.
Be aware of your permissions
If you do not see certain menu items, it may simply be because your user role does not have access to those features.
Avoid changing settings unless necessary
Some areas of the dashboard control site-wide behavior. If you are unsure what a setting does, check documentation or consult your site administrator before making changes.