User roles in WordPress explained simply

In the context of your WordPress website, it is essential to understand and configure the different user roles. Here you will learn about the roles and permissions available, and how to create users and assign them the appropriate role. Each role has specific permissions that control access to functions and content. Therefore, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with these aspects to ensure both security and user-friendliness.

Key insights

• There are different user roles: Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, and Subscriber.
• Each role has different permissions: from creating to publishing content.
• You can create new users and assign them the appropriate role based on their tasks.

User Roles and Their Permissions

Administrator

The Administrator has the highest permission level in WordPress. This role has full access to all areas, including managing posts, pages, user settings, and WordPress configurations.

As an Administrator, you can also manage updates and adjust all settings. This is especially useful if you want to have full control over the website.

Editor

The role of the Editor has significantly more rights than the Author or Contributor. Editors can not only manage their own posts, but also edit, publish, and delete the content of other users.

Additionally, they can create categories and moderate comments. This role is ideal for users who are responsible for the content of a website.

Author

An Author can write, edit, and publish their own posts, but does not have access to content created by other authors. This role is well-suited for writers who want to manage their work independently but should not have control over the entire website.

Contributor

Contributors are able to write posts but cannot publish them. They mainly serve to create content that is then reviewed and published by an Editor or Administrator. This is helpful when there is a hierarchical structure in the content creation process.

Subscriber

Subscribers are the users who have registered on your website. They can read content and manage their own profile but do not have permission to create new content or modify existing ones.

Adding Users and Assigning Roles

To add a new user in WordPress, navigate to "Users" in the dashboard and click on "Add New". Here you need to enter some important information such as username, email, first name, and last name. The field for the website is optional.

After filling in the required fields, you can set the role of the new user. This is important to ensure the user has the correct permissions. Therefore, choose the appropriate role based on the functions this user will fulfill on the website.

Summary – User Roles and Permissions in WordPress

In this guide, you have learned to understand the various user roles in WordPress: Administrators, Editors, Authors, Contributors, and Subscribers. You now know what permissions each role has and how to create new users.