Tutorial: How to make a private WordPress website

Have you ever wondered how you can make your WordPress website private? In this tutorial we will show you step by step how you can do it. WordPress is one of the most popular platforms for creating websites, and with the right settings, you can keep your site protected and restrict access to only the people you choose.

Why make a private WordPress website?

There are many reasons why you might want to make your WordPress website private. For example, you might be working on a website for a client and don't want it to be accessible to the public until it's completely finished. Or maybe you're creating a website with sensitive content that you only want a select group of people to see. Whatever your reason, making your WordPress website private gives you greater control over who can view and access your site.

Step 1: Install WordPress on your server

The first step to making your WordPress website private is to install WordPress on your server. If you already have WordPress installed, you can skip this step. If you haven't already, here's how to do it:

1. First, make sure you have a domain and web hosting service set up.
2. Download the latest version of WordPress from the official website (https://wordpress.org).
3. Unzip the downloaded file on your computer.
4. Connect to your server via FTP using software such as FileZilla.
5. Upload all the files from the WordPress folder you just unzipped to your root directory on the server.
6. Create a database on your server for WordPress and take note of the database details (database name, username, and password).

Once you have completed these steps, you will be able to access the WordPress installation page by visiting your domain in a web browser.

Step 2: Configure Privacy Settings in WordPress

Once you have installed WordPress on your server, it is time to configure the privacy settings. Follow these steps:

1. Access your WordPress admin panel by typing /wp-admin after your domain URL in a web browser (for example, www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
2. Enter your login credentials.
3. In the admin panel, go to "Settings" and then select "Privacy".
4. On the privacy settings page, select the option "Enable site visibility for site admins only."
5. Click the "Save Changes" button to save the settings.

With this option selected, your WordPress website will be private and only site administrators will be able to view the content.

Step 3: Invite users and control their access

Now that you have configured your privacy settings, you can invite other users and control their access to your WordPress website. Here's how to do it:

1. In the WordPress admin panel, go to the "Users" section and select "Add New".
2. Fill in the new user's details, such as their username and email address.
3. Finally, assign a role to the new user (e.g. administrator, author, editor, etc.) and click the "Add new user" button to save the changes.

Once you've added a new user, they'll receive an email with a link to create their password and access the site. You can repeat these steps to invite more people and control their access to your website.

Step 4: Customize your website design and content

Now that you've set up privacy and invited other users, it's time to customize the design and content of your WordPress website. You can choose a theme or template, install plugins, and add your own pages and content. Explore the different options and tools available in WordPress to create a website that suits your needs and tastes.

Remember that as a site administrator, you have full access to all WordPress features and settings. Be sure to try out different elements and customize your website to your liking.

FAQ on how to make a private WordPress website

1. Can I make my WordPress website private without installing any additional plugins?

Yes, you can make your WordPress website private without installing any additional plugins. Using the built-in privacy settings in WordPress, you can restrict access to your site to site administrators only.

2. What is the difference between a private website and a website under maintenance?

A private website is one that is only accessible to a select group of people that you choose, while a website under maintenance is one that is temporarily out of service or being updated, and a notice is displayed to visitors.

3. Can I change my privacy settings at any time?

Yes, you can change your privacy settings at any time from within your WordPress admin panel. Simply go to “Settings” and then select “Privacy” to adjust your website visibility options.

4. Can I make my WordPress website private only for a certain period of time?

Yes, you can make your WordPress website private only for a set period of time by using a timer plugin or scheduling your privacy settings. This allows you to open your website to the public on a specific date or after you've finished working on it.

5. Can I make my WordPress website accessible only through a password?

Yes, you can make your WordPress website accessible only through a password by using a password protection plugin. This allows you to share the password only with the people you want to access your site.