WordPress user roles
A user role defines the permissions a user has within your WordPress installation. It allows them to perform tasks appropriate to their place in your organization. WordPress installations have several distinct user roles with predefined capabilities, in this article we will address the most common ones: Administrator, Editor, Contributors and Subscribers you have.
Each user role comes with certain privileges. They can all access the dash, but their assigned role limits their operations. By understanding how each user role works, you'll be able to make an informed decision about which roles suit specific users on your site.
WordPress assumes that your site has multiple contributors who are allowed to do certain things to your site. Each of the roles has its own capabilities ranging from administrative tasks, writing content, content management and more and this platform allows you to segregate users as per your site needs.
Even if you anticipate yourself as the sole contributor to your site for the foreseeable future, you may wish to expand at some point, and WordPress user roles are worth bearing in mind. For instance, you might choose to hire a regular guest post writer, in this case, “Contributor” is an ideal fit.
Administrator
The Administrator is regarded as the most powerful of the default users on a regular WordPress install because it provides users with full hold over the website.
The Admin is the only user with permission to create new users, and modify and delete existing ones. As an Admin, you have access to all administration features such as adding, deleting and editing information from all other users and have complete control over site content. An Admin may add, delete and modify themes, modules (plugins) and core settings at any time.
Since this role has unlimited access to core website functions, it’s best reserved for users who need full control over all website settings. Since it would be a bad idea for this to be in the wrong hands, in most cases, a site will have just one administrator. Typically, the site owner or developing web agency will hold this position.
Editor
As you’d expect from an editor, the Editor role holds the highest position in overseeing a WordPress website's content. The only role higher than the Editor regarding privileges is the Admin, who can perform site management tasks as well as manage and delete content as per this role. Users assigned the Editor role have total control over website content, their rights mean they can manage posts such as write, edit and publish and have the power to delete their own posts and pages, this includes those written by anyone else. The Editor can also view comments and moderate, alter, and delete them as they see fit.
An Editor’s rights go beyond content management. They may also manage categories add or delete tags and even upload files. Aside from having open access to all content related aspects of your site, the Editor won't have access to your site's settings, modules (plugins) or users.
Given that Editors traditionally review posts submitted by contributors, it’s smart to never assign this role to a regular contributor due to the generous permission included. Since they can delete published posts, we recommend only assigning the role of Editor to someone you trust.
Contributor
The Contributor role is a restricted version of the author role. A user with this role can write new articles (posts) and edit existing posts but can't publish or delete them once they are published. A Contributor submits their work for review by an Editor or an Admin before it's published. It's worth noting that for security reasons Contributors can't access the media library which means they can't upload images to their posts without assistance.
This role is a good choice when you want to allow other people to write for your website since they can’t access any of the features of the admin user role such as altering your site’s design, uploading or removing modules or creating new categories. They can, however, use existing categories to add tags to their posts. A Contributor may view comments, even those which are in moderation but, they can’t modify, approve or delete them.
Subscriber
The Subscriber is the default role for new site users, and it has the fewest permissions. If this role stays with the default capabilities, it is the most limited of all the WordPress user roles. A Subscriber can create a profile on a WordPress website, read its content and post comments. They have no access to any site settings and can't create or amend any content.
You may modify the default settings to allow users to log into your site and leave comments without having to enter their details each time which is useful for people who frequently read your blog and actively comment which makes the whole process much easier and faster for readers. You may also use this role to deliver additional content to your readers, such as newsletters. It may encourage your users to register if they want to access otherwise blocked content. Anyone who has subscribed to your website using an RSS feed, mailing list or feature to receive updates from your site is a Subscriber.
When assigned any users with editing capabilities, please do note that it is your responsibility if any changes made to the website break it or produce undesirable effects. We do strongly encourage to have all required changes be performed by us, unless you have website editing experience and absolutely know what you are doing. Fixing issues of the website can lead to, but is not limited to: website downtime, additional support tickets, even tasks that are not included in flat-rate support plans.
Please do make sure to have at least active daily backups of your website, prior to performing any changes.
The best option is to have an ongoing flat-rate support plan, so you do not need to worry about any of these issues.
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