WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) in the world, powering over 40% of all websites. Whether you're a blogger, a small business owner, or an aspiring developer, understanding how to navigate the WordPress interface is essential for creating and managing your site effectively. One of the most useful features of the WordPress dashboard is the WordPress Toolbar. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what the WordPress Toolbar is, its features, and provide a step-by-step tutorial to help beginners get the most out of it.
Previously known as the WordPress "Admin Bar" is a shortcut area that allows you to access the behind the scenes controls when you are on the front end of your WordPress blog or website. The Admin Toolbar is the bar that goes across the very top of the screen once you’re logged in to your WordPress website.
On the far left side of the WordPress Dashboard, you will see the WordPress logo.
By hovering over this WP logo, you will see links to WordPress specific information. These are links if you ever want to take a look at WordPress documentation, see the Support Forums or leave feedback.
To the right of the WordPress logo, you’ll see the name of your site. Hover over this and there is a submenu for the front end of your site. This is how your site looks to visitors.
Quick Links: Access to important features like adding new posts, pages, or media directly from the toolbar.
For beginners, the WordPress Toolbar simplifies the content management process. It reduces the need to remember complex paths within the dashboard, allowing new users to focus on creating content rather than getting lost in menus. With quick access to the most commonly used features, the toolbar can dramatically improve your productivity.
To see the WordPress Toolbar in action, log in to your WordPress admin area by navigating to yourwebsite.com/wp-admin. Once logged in, you will immediately see the toolbar at the top of your screen.
The WordPress Toolbar includes various icons and links, each serving a different purpose:
The "New" option in the toolbar allows you to quickly create new posts, pages, or media. Hover over "New" and select the desired action. This feature saves you time by eliminating extra clicks.
Click on the "Comments" link to view all comments left on your posts. Here, you can approve, reply, edit, or delete comments. This feature is crucial for maintaining engagement with your audience.
Under the "Appearance" section, you can access the theme customizer. This tool allows you to change your site’s look, including header images, menus, and colors. Experiment with different settings to find a design that reflects your brand.
Keeping your site updated is vital for security and performance. By clicking on the "Updates" link, you can see if your themes, plugins, or WordPress version require updates. Regular updates ensure your site runs smoothly and securely.
The WordPress Toolbar is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly. Here are some shortcuts you can utilize:
You can customize the toolbar to fit your workflow better. Here’s how:
Most people find the WordPress "Toolbar" useful, but some people may want to turn the WordPress "Toolbar" off from the front end of the site. Remember, the WordPress "Toolbar" is only visible to you when you’re logged in to your website. To turn off this view, click the "Edit my Profile" link. From this screen, you’ll see a checkbox to Show Toolbar when viewing the website. Simply uncheck this box to turn this view off, then scroll to the bottom and click Update profile. If you decide later that you’d like to turn the "Toolbar" back on, just return to your edit profile and check the box to show the toolbar again.
This plugin is used to hide admin toolbar from website. It will hide that bar when you are logged in and viewing the site.
Boost the Accessibility of Any Website with The Accessibility Toolbar. Add front-end accessibility options to your website in just seconds. Add this plugin and immediately provide WCAG compliant features for those with disabilities.
Natively WordPress doesn’t offer the possibility to change your admin bar position. With this simple extension you can stick it at the bottom forever and hide it by pressing shortcut
Simple jQuery script of this plugin duplicates Update / Publish / Save Changes / Save Draft / Preview Changes button for posts, pages, custom posts, taxonomies, user profiles, and settings to the top WordPress admin bar
Add 3 new menu locations to the WordPress toolbar so you can quickly and easily create your own custom toolbar menus using the built in WordPress menus page. Supports multi level and works seamlessly with the existing toolbar menus.
Removing or requiring removal of the admin toolbar from display on the front end of your website is tedious. This plugin uses a built-in WordPress filter (show_admin_bar) to disable it globally.
Accessing the Emoji library can be painful 😫 on some operating systems. You always have to leave the editor which is not useful for distraction-free writing.
This is an extension plugin for the Connections Business Directory Plugin. Quick click access without having to scroll to all of Connections admin pages from either the admin or the front end for easy management. You can even go to a specific settings tab of filter the entry list with a single click making you life easier
A fixed HTML toolbar which displayed at the bottom or at the top of your website. You can add up to 5 linked icons or just an HTML code. It mostly used to show social icons or any other notification that needs to be static during page scrolling.
The One Click Accessibility toolbar is the fastest plugin to help you make your WordPress website more accessible. While most accessibility issues can’t be addressed without directly changing your content, One Click Accessibility adds a number of helpful accessibility features with the minimum amount of setup and without the need for expert knowledge.
The WordPress Toolbar is a powerful tool that enhances the user experience for WordPress beginners and seasoned users alike. By familiarizing yourself with its features and customizing it to fit your needs, you can save time and improve your site's management efficiency.
We covered the essentials of the WordPress Toolbar, how to navigate its features, and ways to customize it for your specific needs. As you continue your journey in WordPress, remember that practice makes perfect. Explore the toolbar’s capabilities and utilize them to enhance your content management experience.
If you want to dive deeper into the world of WordPress, consider exploring additional tutorials and resources available online. With the right tools and knowledge, you can create a stunning website that reflects your unique voice and vision.
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