Although you may have heard the phrase “WordPress backend” numerous times, you may not know exactly what it means. So, what is WordPress backend?
Usually, the backend of any software program is where its configurations are managed. In the case of WordPress, it’s also referred to as the WordPress “admin area.” The backend is where all the action happens, including content creation and editing, plugin installation and management, and customization of the look and feel of the site.
👉 In this article, we will dive deeper into the question, what is WordPress backend?
Understanding WordPress backend 👨🏫
WordPress’ backend is where you handle things like settings, users, content, and plugins. From here, you’ll be able to update your site with fresh content, alter its appearance, and adjust many settings. The WordPress database containing your site’s analytics and stats is accessible from the backend.
While only logged-in users can view the website’s backend, anyone can view the frontend. Just think of it like a restaurant with a front and back entrance. Customers come in through the front door to place orders and be seated. The restaurant’s back door is only used by the owner and employees, giving them access to the back kitchen, offices, and storage areas.
Likewise, the website’s backend is where the owner and their team do things like installing software and adding new pages. The final product is the frontend, or the part of the website that users see when they visit without needing to log in.
Accessing the backend in WordPress 👨💻
Typically, the wp-admin folder houses the backend, which you can access at http://www.example.com/wp-admin/. You’ll be prompted to log in with the username and password you chose when setting up WordPress.
The backend includes the following sections:
- Posts: This is where you can save, modify, publish, and delete content drafts.
- Media: A library for all your media files, where you can store, organize, search, and browse.
- Pages: This is where you can create, view, and control static web pages.
- Comments: A hub for reviewing and approving user comments on the site.
- Appearance: Your widgets, menus, and themes can all be customized here.
- Plugins: The ability to install an extension or plugin to enhance a website’s functionality is the most notable aspect of WordPress.
- Users: In this section, you can manage your website’s users and their permissions.
- Tools: These allow you to easily manage your data and import or export content.
- Settings: This is where you can adjust the configurations of your site.
Customizing WordPress backend 🎨
WordPress’s backend allows for a wide range of customizations. Changing the “Howdy Admin” welcome message or adding a notebook to the dashboard are good ways to foster open communication between team members. You can also choose to hide the unnecessary options from the menu.
Customizing the WordPress backend’s appearance is as simple as installing a new plugin and picking a new theme. You can choose between different admin color schemes such as Coffee, Sunrise, Modern, and Ocean. With the help of plugins like Blue Admin, Flatty, and WPShapere, you can make the admin area of your site consistent with the rest of your brand and make adjustments to improve your team’s experience.
Adding new fields to your WordPress site’s admin panel is another way to personalize the backend. With custom fields, you can include additional information on blog posts and web pages. If you need to save data that doesn’t fit neatly into the pre-defined fields for posts or pages, this feature can help.
The bottom line 💡
Although it is not directly visible to site visitors, the WordPress backend is crucial to every WordPress website. You can use it to customize the appearance and feel of your site, add content, and manage plugins. In this article, we’ve shared what is WordPress backend and how to access and customize it to accommodate your specific requirements.
