Introduction
WordPress Manager is a powerful tool within DirectAdmin that allows you to manage your WordPress websites from a single location.
Instead of logging into each WordPress website individually, WordPress Manager provides quick access to many common management tasks including:
- Logging into WordPress
- Managing plugins
- Managing themes
- Creating backups
- Restoring backups
- Cloning websites
- Creating staging sites
- Security management
- Updating WordPress
This guide explains the main features available within WordPress Manager.
Accessing WordPress Manager
Step 1 – Log Into DirectAdmin
Open your browser and visit: https://cp.yourdomain.co.za
(Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
Enter your DirectAdmin username and password.
Click: Log In
Step 2 – Open WordPress Manager
From the DirectAdmin dashboard, click: Extra Features
Then click: WordPress Manager by Softaculous
A list of all WordPress installations on your hosting account will be displayed.
Understanding the Installation List
The installation list displays all WordPress websites associated with your hosting account.
For each website you can view:
- Website URL
- Website Name
- Update Status
- Login Access
- User Management
You can also expand an installation to access additional management options.
Login
The Login button provides direct access to the WordPress administration area without requiring you to manually enter your WordPress username and password.
This can be useful when managing multiple websites.
Manage Users
The Manage Users option allows you to view and manage WordPress user accounts.
This can be used to:
- View users
- Create users
- Modify user permissions
- Remove users
Always ensure administrator access is only granted to trusted users.
Manage Plugins
The Manage Plugins option allows you to view installed plugins and perform maintenance tasks.
This can be used to:
- View installed plugins
- Activate plugins
- Deactivate plugins
- Update plugins
Keeping plugins updated helps improve website security and stability.
Manage Themes
The Manage Themes option allows you to manage the appearance of your WordPress website.
This can be used to:
- View installed themes
- Activate themes
- Update themes
- Remove unused themes
Unused themes should be removed where possible to improve security.
Site Information
When viewing a WordPress installation, WordPress Manager displays useful information including:
- Website URL
- Installation Path
- Site Name
- Database Information
- WordPress Version
This information can assist when troubleshooting or managing multiple websites.
WordPress Version
The WordPress Version section displays the currently installed version of WordPress.
WordPress Manager will indicate whether the installation is:
- Up to Date
- Requires Updates
Keeping WordPress updated is important for security and performance.
Auto Upgrade WordPress Core
This option controls whether WordPress core updates are installed automatically.
Available options typically include:
- Do Not Auto Upgrade
- Minor Updates Only
- Major and Minor Updates
Automatic updates can help improve security by ensuring important updates are applied promptly.
Auto Upgrade Plugins
This setting controls whether plugin updates are applied automatically.
Available options:
- Enabled
- Disabled
If enabled, WordPress Manager will automatically update plugins when new versions become available.
Auto Upgrade Themes
This setting controls whether theme updates are applied automatically.
Available options:
- Enabled
- Disabled
Automatic updates can help keep themes secure and compatible with newer versions of WordPress.
Search Engine Visibility
This option controls whether search engines are permitted to index your website.
Available options:
- Enabled
- Disabled
Search engine visibility should normally remain enabled on live websites.
You may wish to disable it temporarily on development or staging websites.
WordPress Cron (wp-cron.php)
WordPress uses a scheduled task system known as WP-Cron.
This feature is responsible for tasks such as:
- Publishing scheduled posts
- Sending notifications
- Running maintenance tasks
- Plugin scheduled activities
WordPress Manager allows this functionality to be enabled or disabled.
Debug Mode
Debug Mode helps developers identify website errors and troubleshooting information.
Available options:
- Enabled
- Disabled
For most live websites, Debug Mode should remain disabled.
Enabling Debug Mode may display technical information intended for troubleshooting purposes.
Database Details
The View Database option provides access to information about the database associated with the WordPress installation.
Database information may be useful for:
- Website migrations
- Troubleshooting
- Development work
Security Measures
The Security Measures option provides access to security-related recommendations and settings designed to improve the security of your WordPress installation.
It is recommended that all available security measures are reviewed and applied where appropriate.
Create Template
The Create Template feature allows you to create a reusable WordPress template from an existing website.
Templates can help simplify the deployment of similar websites in the future.
Clone
The Clone feature creates a duplicate copy of your WordPress website.
This can be useful when:
- Testing changes
- Developing new features
- Performing website upgrades
without affecting the live website.
Staging
The Staging feature creates a separate testing environment for your website.
A staging site allows you to:
- Test updates
- Trial new plugins
- Trial new themes
- Make changes safely
before applying them to your live website.
Backup
The Backup feature allows you to create a backup of your WordPress website.
Backups are strongly recommended before:
- Updating WordPress
- Installing plugins
- Installing themes
- Making major website changes
Restore
The Restore feature allows you to restore a previously created backup.
This can be useful if:
- An update fails
- A plugin causes problems
- Website files become corrupted
- Changes need to be reversed
Remove and Uninstall
The Remove option removes the website from the list of wordpress manager,
Uninstall option permanently removes a WordPress installation.
These options should be used with caution.
Always ensure a backup exists before removing a website.
Conclusion
WordPress Manager provides a central location for managing WordPress websites directly from DirectAdmin.
Whether you need to update WordPress, manage plugins, create backups, deploy staging environments or improve website security, WordPress Manager can simplify the administration of your WordPress websites and help keep them secure and up to date.
