What Are User Roles?
User roles define what each person can see and do on your website. By assigning the correct role, you control access levels and ensure everyone has the permissions they need.
This helps keep your website secure, organized, and easy to manage—especially when working with a team.
WordPress User Roles Explained
Administrator
Full control over the entire website. Permissions include:
Managing users and roles
Installing and removing plugins and themes
Editing site settings
Creating, editing, and deleting all content
Best for:
Website owners and technical administrators.
Editor
Manages all content, but not site settings. Permissions include:
Creating, editing, publishing, and deleting posts and pages
Managing content created by other users
Best for:
Content managers and team leads.
Author
Manages their own content only. Permissions include:
Writing, editing, and publishing their own posts
Uploading media files
Best for:
Bloggers and regular content writers.
Contributor
Writes content, but needs approval to publish. Permissions include:
Writing and editing their own posts
Cannot publish posts or upload media
Best for:
Guest writers, interns, or temporary contributors.
Subscriber
Basic access level. Permissions include:
Viewing content
Editing their own profile
Best for:
Members, customers, or users who only need login access.
How to Create a New User in WordPress
You can create a new user to give someone access to your website and assign them the appropriate role.
Steps to Create a New User
Log in to your WordPress Dashboard
Go to Users from the left-hand menu
Click Add User
Fill in the user details:
Username: Choose a unique username
Email: Enter the user’s email address
Password: Set a strong password or let WordPress generate one
(Optional) Add first and last name for clarity
Select a User Role from the dropdown list
(Optional) Enable Send User Notification to email login details to the user
Click Add User
The new user will now appear in your users list with the assigned role.
Why User Roles Matter
Using the right roles helps you:
Improve security: Limits risky actions to trusted users
Avoid mistakes: Prevents accidental changes to important settings
Stay organized: Each user clearly understands their responsibilities
Best Practices for Managing Users
Review user accounts regularly and remove inactive users
Keep the number of Administrators to a minimum
Assign the lowest role needed for each user’s tasks
By understanding user roles and creating users correctly, you can manage your WordPress website more safely, collaborate effectively with your team, and maintain full control over your content and settings.