dashboardDashboard

The Dashboard is the first screen you see when you log into the administration area of your blog.
The main idea of the dashboard is to give you a behind the scenes overview of what’s happening with your blog. Once you find your way around the dashboard, you’ll realize it’s really easy to use and navigate.

Dashboard Tools

WordPress has “fly-out” navigation tools along the left hand side of your dashboard. Hover over each section to see the options underneath. If you click on one of the sections, that section will expand and stay open while you are on that set of tools. The following are navigation tools that will be important to know:

  • Posts tool is where you can add new posts, edit existing posts and edit tags and categories for your posts.
  • Media tool includes your Library that lists any images, audio and video files you have already uploaded. The Add New link helps you upload new media to your library.
  • Pages are static pages on your blog.  They are different from posts.  Pages can include information about you or the site and are not time sensitive like a post.
  • Comments are a way for you to get feedback from your readers. The Comments section allows you to administer your comments to approve, reply, edit, mark as spam or delete. By default, your site will moderate all comments from new people. We also have Akismet spam protection installed.
  • Appearance tool allows you to change the look and feel of your site. Click on each theme to preview what it will look like before you decide.  Any options that come with the theme you have selected will be located under the Appearance menu.
  • Users tool shows you the people contributing to your site. You can add other HCPS users to have editing rights on your blog. You may also edit your profile here.
  • Tools has a couple of WordPress specific tools for your browser. You can also import your posts or comments from other blogs to your site.
  • Settings tool is the main area to set preferences or properties for your site.