Some clients may not be familiar with the WordPress website, and you may need to Simplify the wp-admin. So how to simplify the wp admin? There are several ways in which a wordpress admin can be simplified.
It is a crucial step. As a web developer, although you know the ins and outs of the website very well, your client may not be an expert in that field. It may be their first website, and things can be confusing if it’s not in their simplest form.
What is wp admin?
The WordPress admin panel is the main dashboard where the activity of the WordPress website is controlled. It is commonly known as wp-admin, and it serves as the general settings page.
The dashboard allows you to perform plenty of functions. It is where you can change your themes, create a new page/post, install plugins, etc.
Tips to simplify the wordpress admin panel.
There are several ways to simplify wp admin. You can opt for the technical route, individual consultations, or tutorials. Today, we’ll only be focusing on how to simplify the general interface of the website so that the users do not have to be confused.
1. Editor account
Before you hand over the website to your client, make sure that you have adjusted the admin panel to an editor’s panel. This will quickly simplify the dashboard.
There will be no option for changing themes, adding plugins, tools, etc. The limit to access to various tools and features will instantly make the dashboard cleaner and simple.
2. Screen options
If you do not clear out the screen, it will be full of plugin blocks, and this can be overwhelming for your client.
Even on an Editor’s account, there will be blocks of all the plugins that is used by the website. These blocks are quick draft, at a glance, WordPress news, activity etc. So editing the screen options is a must.
This is how you do it.
Remove any elements from the dashboard screen that are not required by the clients to be viewed.
Remove columns such as comments and Author from the post and pages section.
Clear out Author, send trackbacks, slug, custom field and revision from the individual post and page editing screens.
In general, you have to remove any element that is not necessary for the client’s purpose.
3. Make use of the WP admin UI to customize
Do you want to see how your client views the dashboard? Use this plugin – WP admin UI customize. This plugin will enable you to use the various filters and actions so that you can adjust how the users view the wp-admin without going through a lot of hassle.
Here’s how you can do it
Step 1: Mark the user role to Editor
Step 2: In the screen settings, disable the notifications regarding the update of plugins and themes so that your client is not bombarded with things they don’t wish to know.
Step 3: Simplify the dashboard. Choose what you think is important for your client to view. Enable those in the setting while hiding unimportant elements.
Step 4: Clear the side menu. There are several elements on the side menu that are not accessible to the Editor but still occupies space.
One example is the Jetpack plugin. It occupies space, but when you try to open it, it doesn’t open.
Go to the current menu and choose the elements that you wish to get rid of. And hit the remove button.
4. Use WP Help to publish a guide.
With WP Help, you can create a guide that contains all documentation regarding the website. Through this, the users can view what steps to take or what to do without being lost.
This is very crucial to create in order to help save time and effort.
These are the four essential steps that you need to keep in mind. These steps will simplify the wp admin for sure. It will enable the users to access the website without being too overwhelmed.
Is it necessary to simplify the WordPress backend?
It is not completely necessary, but in most cases, simplification of the admin dashboard is important. As a web developer, the admin section will not look confusing to you since you’re not new to the game. However, as a client who is new to owning a WordPress website and having no idea about the dashboard, seeing all sorts of tools, features and plugins can really scare them.
In order to avoid any confusion, make sure that the wp admin is simplified for ease of use.
Back up
It is crucial to discuss with your clients to have backup and maintenance of the site. As a developer, please ensure that the site is backed up in case of unwanted mishaps such as hacking.
We can never be too sure that our site will always stay safe. Therefore, having a backup eliminates the fear of completely losing the site if there is any accidental loss.
You can use certain apps on the market to back up the site and discuss with your client for maintenance. For maintenance, regular update of the plugin is important; checking for any illegal activities, any errors, and updates of the site are essential. Make sure you look into it every once in a while for the smooth functioning of the site.
Conclusion
The WordPress admin panel is not the most simple element, and it requires a lot of getting used to. By simplifying, it benefits not only the clients but also the developers. Anything that is simple and effortless is loved by all.
Simplifying the dashboard is the responsibility of the web developer. Since you are entrusted with creating an easy-to-use site, make sure that all unnecessary widgets, tools and plugins stay out of sight before you give the client the final submission.
Always ensure to add the starting guide to the WordPress admin for an easier navigation process. Leave out things that are not important for the client in the admin section and open up the editor section for them to create posts and pages.
