It’s now easier than ever to keep your WordPress blog completely private because there are many tools and methods available to meet different privacy needs.
WordPress, as one of the best private blogging platforms, offers a range of features that can be tailored to suit your privacy needs.
Whether you are an experienced blogger or just getting started, this guide will help you make a private website for free.
From password protection to user roles, you will be well-equipped to create a private blog using WordPress, which will allow you to express yourself without the worry of unwanted visitors.
Get ready to discover the ins and outs of crafting the perfect WordPress private blog.
Why make your WordPress blog completely private?
One could decide to keep their WordPress blog entirely private for several reasons. These justifications are frequently rooted in the desire to keep control over the blog’s content and its readership. The following are some of the main reasons for creating a private WordPress blog:
Privacy & confidentiality
People can discuss private or sensitive issues on a private blog without worrying about it being seen by the public. This guarantees the privacy of their ideas, perspectives, and experiences while offering a safe environment for self-expression.
Restricted audience access
When a blog is made private, its owners can decide who can see it, including team members, friends, and family. This deliberate sharing can promote stronger ties with the target audience and preserve a feeling of community.
Testing and development
A private blog may be used as a testing ground for those who are creating new plugins, themes, or content for their website. This lets users edit and improve their work without having an impact on the version of their website that is visible to the public.
For educational or training purposes
For educational or training purposes, private blogs may be a very useful tool for companies or educational institutions looking to offer a safe environment for resource sharing or instruction to staff members or students.
Collaboration and communication
Teams and groups may work together on projects, exchange updates, and communicate online via a private blog. In a safe setting, this can expedite procedures and boost output.
4 ways to make your WordPress blog completely private
Method 1: Create a coming soon page with SeedProd
A simple and effective way to keep your entire site private is by employing the SeedProd plugin. As the top WordPress theme builder and drag-and-drop page builder, SeedProd is trusted by over a million websites.
The plugin allows you to effortlessly create Coming Soon pages and maintenance mode pages, ensuring your WordPress blog remains private. Additionally, SeedProd enables you to grow your email list while you’re developing your blog.
SeedProd offers more than 150 unique templates, which can be used to design custom pages such as 404 error pages, webinar registration pages, and even complete custom WordPress themes without any coding knowledge.
If you’re a Bluehost user, you can add a Coming Soon page right from your Bluehost dashboard.
Besides maintaining your blog’s privacy, a Coming Soon page can help assess user interest, generate excitement, and collect leads.
With an active Coming Soon page, you can keep your blog private for any duration. You can even tailor your Coming Soon page to serve as a homepage while your blog stays private.
Method 2: Make a private members-only website with MemberPress
An alternative method to establish a private WordPress blog is by developing a membership blog exclusively accessible to members.
The most effective way to achieve this is by utilizing the MemberPress plugin, a top-rated WordPress membership plugin that has assisted creators in earning over $1 billion.
MemberPress enables you to effortlessly develop online courses, control access management, and incorporate lessons using the WordPress block editor.
Moreover, the plugin is compatible with leading WordPress page builder plugins, allowing you to incorporate drip content for your premium posts, implement content paywalls, and restrict access to free content for certain users.
Method 3: Make your WordPress blog completely private with My Private Site
An alternative approach to making your WordPress blog private is employing the My Private Site plugin. This user-friendly plugin is ideal for family blogs and businesses that do not intend to publish their content publicly.
While this plugin can be utilized when your website is under construction, the SeedProd method mentioned earlier is more effective for creating Coming Soon or Under Construction pages.
To begin, install and activate the plugin. For further guidance, refer to our beginner’s guide on installing a WordPress plugin.
Once activated, navigate to My Private Site » Site Privacy in the WordPress admin sidebar to adjust the plugin settings.
Check the Enable login privacy box to make your site private and click the Save Privacy Status button.
With this enabled, visitors will encounter the site login page when attempting to access your website.
Click on the Landing Page menu option to choose the destination for users after a successful login. Either select the radio button in the Landing Page After Login section or input a specific URL in the Specified Destination URL box. Then, click the Save Landing Page button.
Proceed to the Home Page menu option. Check the box in the Site Home section to make your homepage visible to visitors. We recommend leaving the box unchecked if you want to display a message while keeping the rest of your WordPress website private. If you make changes, click the Make Page Public button.
Next, access the Membership menu option to decide whether to allow user registration for your blog. To enable visitors to register and view your blog, check both boxes. If you prefer not to allow user registration, leave both boxes unchecked. Click the Update Options button.
Your WordPress blog will now be completely private, accessible only to users with login credentials.
Method 4: Make individual blog posts completely private with WordPress settings
If you wish to make specific blog posts entirely private, you can utilize WordPress’s built-in privacy settings.
To do this, open the blog post you want to make private or create a new one. On the post editor screen, locate the Visibility option in the Status & visibility meta box.
Next, click the Public link, which will display a dropdown menu. Here, you can select the Private option or opt for password protection.
Click the radio button corresponding to your preferred choice.
For password-protected posts, you’ll need to enter a password, which your users must input to view the post.
After making the necessary changes, click the Update or Publish button to finalize your private post.
Now, only admins and editors can view the post when logged into the WordPress admin dashboard.
If you’re the sole user on your blog, this won’t be a concern. However, if you have multiple users, ensure they have the appropriate user role to access the post.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you may use a variety of techniques based on your unique requirements to make your WordPress blog fully private. Whether you wish to safeguard specific articles, share your blog with a select group of people, or keep complete anonymity, you can build a secure environment for your content by exploring the four strategies covered in this guide. Keep in mind that the secret to success is choosing the appropriate approach that supports your goals and offers the appropriate degree of privacy. So, go ahead with confidence and turn your WordPress blog into a safe refuge for your ideas and thoughts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a WordPress blog can be made private using various methods such as password protection, membership plugins, privacy plugins, or by adjusting the visibility settings for individual posts.
To view a private WordPress blog, you will typically need the appropriate login credentials, a membership, or a password provided by the blog owner. Once you have the required access, you can view the blog’s content.
WordPress is available in two versions: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com offers a free plan with limited features, while WordPress.org is a free, open-source software that requires hosting and a domain name, which come at a cost.
A blog can be truly anonymous if you carefully protect your identity and personal information when setting up and managing the blog. This can be achieved by using a pseudonym, creating an email account not tied to your personal information, and using privacy-focused tools and plugins to maintain anonymity.
To restrict access to your blog, you can employ various techniques such as password protection for individual posts or the entire website, creating a members-only site, using privacy plugins like My Private Site, or adjusting the visibility settings of your content within WordPress.
