This is the first installation of a series of posts targeted just for photographers. I often get questions via email and thought it may be useful to share some of the behind the scenes tips with my photographer friends + readers.
I recently created a new client info site via WordPress and wanted to password protect it. Even better, I wanted to brand the login page to match my identity. Here is the link:
This is what the login looks like:
Only clients who are logged in can have access to the info. Start by downloading and installing this plugin:
1. Members Only: wordpress.org/extend/plugins/members-only/
Now login to your Admin Panel at www.yoursitename.com/wp-admin/
Step 1: Add a user – it can be a general username + password that you will give to all prospects. Do this in the WP-ADMIN section under the “users” menu. You can add more than one user if you’d like/need to.
Step 2: Go to the Settings>Members Only menu. This menu will appear AFTER you install the Members Only plugin. Check the box that says members Only. Then, select any other options you prefer:
Now your site is only accessible to users with a password.
But, your login is the default WordPress login.
To create a custom login download this plugin.
BM Custom Login: www.binarymoon.co.uk/projects/bm-custom-login/
You will have to read the instructions to create your custom graphic– they have a flickr group as well if you have q’s. It’s relatively simple, though, as a PSD template comes with the download.
Once you create your custom files, install and activate the plugin.
To further restrict guest access to any portion of your admin panel, you can install the Backend User Restrictor Plugin: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/backend-user-restrictor/
You’re all set…and private
by Stephanie
10 comments
Does this make your entire site password protected? As opposed to just one page? one of my design clients has a blog with site worked into it all on wordpress. If we do this do all the public pages become password protected as well?
Thanks,
Kristi
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Thank you soo much for this awesome tutorial! I am trying to get my husbands website set up with a private login area for clients to view their photographs, and this is exactly what I was needing to know!
Thanks again!
Sonseria
thanks for this , Steph.
Thank you so much for posting this. I was literally just trying to figure out how to do this.
Thanks for the followup to my question.
i would love to be a part of ‘photographer’s corner’. however i can’t figure out how to get a password. thanks!
Thanks everyone. Glad its useful!
@Sarah – clients could technically share with friends — and that would be fine. My client info isn’t all that “secret.” I just like to make a connection before handing over all of the info. I will probably rotate the password several times a year though. You can also create multiple users if you’d like. It would be more cumbersome, but it’s another option.
What a great idea! And I love how you customized it. I get so confused when I go to sites that require a wordpress login but it isn’t mine.
Quick question: how do you handle security? If you have a single login, do your clients share with their friends? Do you change the password on a regular basis?
Thanks so much!
Sarah
how sweet are you, steph? i already have one of these, but it would have been SO helpful to have a tutorial to get me started!!!