Understanding WordPress User Roles and Permissions 

Key highlights 

• WordPress user roles define what actions users can perform, ensuring secure and efficient website management.
• Default roles include administrator, editor, author, contributor and subscriber, each with specific permissions.
• Administrators have full control, while Subscribers can only read content.
• Custom roles can be created or modified using plugins like User Role Editor or Members.
• Security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) and user activity logs help prevent unauthorized access.
• Bluehost simplifies role management with seamless plugin integration, backups and security tools.

Introduction 

As your business grows, managing access to your WordPress website becomes crucial. Assigning the right WordPress user roles ensures that each person—whether a content creator, editor or administrator—has the appropriate level of access. This not only streamlines workflow but also improves collaboration and strengthens site security.

WordPress provides several default user roles, each with specific capabilities. However, you’re not limited to these defaults. You can also customize roles to fit the unique needs of your business.

Whether you’re managing a blog, an eCommerce store or a membership site, understanding WordPress user role management is essential.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about customizing and managing roles effectively.

What are WordPress user roles and permissions? 

A user role is defined by a set of tasks that a specific role is given permission to perform on a WordPress site. There are six pre-defined WordPress user roles:

• Administrator 
• Editor
• Author
• Contributor
• Subscriber

An administrator has access to all the possible website tasks, while a subscriber only has the ability to read the website. Each role has a set of tasks or capabilities, like the ability to delete posts, publish pages, update themes and add users.

WordPress also empowers you to add or remove roles and capabilities. You can do this manually or through various plugins.  

Learn more: How to Use WordPress: A Beginner’s Guide to Website Building 

Here’s a rundown of what each of the existing roles includes: 

Permissions	Administrator	Editor	Author	Contributor	Subscriber
Read site	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Edit posts	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	–
Deleting posts	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	–
Publish posts	Yes	Yes	Yes	–	–
Upload files	Yes	Yes	Yes	–	–
Publish pages	Yes	Yes	–	–	–
Delete pages	Yes	Yes	–	–	–
Edit pages	Yes	Yes	–	–	–
Read, edit or delete private pages	Yes	Yes	–	–	–
Manage categories	Yes	Yes	–	–	–
Moderate comments	Yes	Yes	–	–	–
Activate plugins	Yes	–	–	–	–
Create new users	Yes	–	–	–	–
Delete plugins, themes or users	Yes	–	–	–	–
Edit files, plugins, themes or users	Yes	–	–	–	–
Export or import content	Yes	–	–	–	–
Install plugins or themes	Yes	–	–	–	–
Manage user options	Yes	–	–	–	–
Update themes, plugins, dashboard or core	Yes	–	–	–	–

Overview of 5 default WordPress roles and permissions

WordPress is designed with five default user roles built into the software. Each role comes with its permissions.  

1. Administrator role  

Administrator accounts have full permissions on the WordPress control panel, giving you complete control to publish, edit and delete:  

• Blog posts   
• Webpages   
• Themes   
• Plugins   
• Code   

Administrators are also in charge of updating the permissions and roles of other users.  

If you’re the website administrator, you’re running the show. This role is usually reserved for the site owners, who usually have a thorough understanding of how WordPress works.   

Besides full admin access, the administrator is responsible for a lot of things. So, it’s vital that you only give administrator permissions to people you trust with your entire website.   

You may have come across the term “Super Admin.” However, super admin users are the only appropriate role option for the WordPress Multisite Networks mode.   

Some companies manage multiple WordPress websites. The super admin role is reserved for the user who has administrator permissions across all of them. Like an admin, they have full access to the websites they oversee. Super admins can create and delete websites. They also manage the network, including the websites, plugins, users, upgrades, setups and themes.   

If you only have one WordPress website, you inherently are the super admin.  

2. Editor  

The editor has many permissions and is like the second-in-command to the administrator. For example, a user with editor permissions can publish, edit and delete blog posts and website pages.  

However, unlike administrators, editors can’t change core components of the website, such as the theme, plugins or users.   

If you have an assistant website administrator at your company, this may be a good role option for them.  

Editors may oversee content and not website management.  

3. Author  

An author has minimal permissions but can do enough to run your website’s blog. This user role can edit, write, publish and delete blog posts.  

If your company has hired an external content publisher, consider giving them author permissions. This way, they can run your blog daily without having access to the rest of your website.  

But, authors cannot edit other users’ posts or pages. They can still tag posts and assign them to categories but cannot create new categories.  

4. Contributor  

Contributors have minimal user permissions, but, as the name suggests, they can add new posts to the website’s blog. In addition, contributors to the blog can write, edit and delete posts that have been created. 

The contributor role permissions are suitable for the website’s writers. This way, the author, editor or administrator can approve upcoming posts before publication, editing or deleting them as they see fit.  

A contributor might be a good option for a one-time guest blogger or a new author.  

5. Subscriber  

The subscriber is the default user role with the fewest permissions. As a subscriber, your only permission is to read the content.   

For blogs with an active, engaged following, this WordPress user role is a useful option that lets users create a username, comment on posts and interact with other members.  

If you offer subscription-based or members-only content, users can create profiles on your website and log in to specific areas.  

Subscribers will also have the ability to update their user profile.   

Customizing WordPress roles and permissions 

Default WordPress user roles work well for most websites, but some need more control. If your site requires different levels of access, custom WordPress user roles let you assign specific permissions based on user responsibilities, including managing custom post types.

You can modify user roles manually through code or use plugins for a simpler approach. A reliable WordPress hosting provider offers various features to simplify this task.

Bluehost, a trusted WordPress hosting provider, ensures smooth plugin integration and security while making role management more efficient.

How to create custom roles in WordPress

To create a custom role, you need to follow a few steps from your dashboard. You can also fill in your new user information as needed using the same steps.

1. Log in to your Bluehost account and navigate to the WordPress Admin dashboard. 
2. Go to “Plugins” and click “Add New” to search for a user role management plugin (for example – User Role Editor or Members). You can also fill in your new user information as needed.
3. Click “Install Now” and then “Activate” the selected plugin.
4. Access the plugin settings from the WordPress dashboard sidebar.
5. Create a new role or modify an existing role by adjusting permissions.

6. Save changes and test role functionality before assigning it to users.

With Bluehost’s automatic backup via CodeGuard and security features like SiteLock, any misconfiguration can be easily reversed. This ensures site security when modifying WordPress roles and permissions. 

Also read: How to Manage Users and Roles in Account Manager

Best plugins for managing WordPress roles and permissions

Several plugins simplify WordPress role management, including:

• User Role Editor – Modify existing roles or create custom ones
• Members – Manage user access and build membership sites
• PublishPress Capabilities – Fine-tune permissions for different user roles
• Advanced Access Manager – Control backend menus and site administration

Plugins like WooCommerce and Yoast SEO add user roles automatically to streamline store management and SEO tasks. WooCommerce introduces Customer and Shop Manager roles—Customers can track orders, while Shop Managers handle inventory, orders and coupons. 

Yoast SEO includes SEO Manager and SEO Editor roles, enabling better control over meta descriptions, keyword strategies and content optimization without full admin access.  

These roles help distribute responsibilities efficiently while maintaining site security. 

Managing permissions for your WordPress site 

Custom WordPress user roles offer flexibility, but improper permissions can create security risks. To keep your site secure while modifying user roles, follow these best practices:

• Test changes in a staging environment before applying them live. With Bluehost’s staging tool, you can safely adjust WordPress roles and permissions without affecting your live site.
• Limit permissions to prevent unauthorized access. Only grant the necessary capabilities to each user role to maintain security.
• Regularly review user roles to ensure a structured access hierarchy. Removing unnecessary permissions reduces vulnerabilities.

A well-structured WordPress user role system improves both security and workflow. Choosing Bluehost as your hosting provider supports seamless integration and automated backups. We help maintain stability when managing custom roles.

Tips for managing WordPress user roles effectively 

Effectively managing WordPress roles is crucial for maintaining your website’s security and ensuring smooth operations. Here are some best practices to help you assign roles appropriately, enhance security and perform regular audits: 

Assign the minimum required permissions 

• Principle of least privilege: Grant users only the permissions they need to perform their tasks. Avoid assigning higher-level roles like administrator unless absolutely necessary. 
• Role assessment: Before assigning a role, evaluate the user’s responsibilities and match them with the appropriate role that fits their duties. 

Regularly audit WordPress roles and permissions 

• Periodic reviews: Schedule regular audits to review user accounts and their assigned roles. 
• Update or remove inactive accounts: Deactivate or delete accounts that are no longer in use to reduce potential security risks. 
• Monitor for unauthorized changes: Use Bluehost security plugins or audit logs to track changes in user roles and permissions. 

Implement strong password policies 

• Enforce complex passwords: Require users to create strong passwords with a mix of letters, numbers and special characters. 
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security by implementing 2FA for user logins, especially for users with higher-level access. 

Read more: How to Enable and Disable Two Factor Authentication

Limit the number of administrators 

• Minimize administrator accounts: Keep the number of administrator accounts to a minimum to reduce security vulnerabilities. 
• Assign alternative roles: Use roles like editor or author for users who don’t need full administrative access but require more permissions than lower-level roles provide. 

Educate users on security best practices 

• Training sessions: Provide training or resources to educate users about security protocols and best practices. 
• Security guidelines: Share guidelines on recognizing phishing attempts, avoiding suspicious links and safeguarding login credentials. 

Use trusted user role management plugins 

• Reputable plugins: Only use well-reviewed and regularly updated plugins to manage user roles and permissions. 
• Keep plugins updated: Regularly update all plugins to their latest versions to patch any security vulnerabilities. 

Set up user role hierarchies 

• Structured role assignment: Create a clear hierarchy of roles that aligns with your organization’s structure and workflow. 
• Custom roles: If default roles don’t meet your needs, create custom roles with specific capabilities tailored to different team members. 

Implement logging and monitoring 

• Activity logs: Use plugins to log user activities, especially for critical actions like plugin installations, content deletions or role changes. 
• Real-time alerts: Set up notifications for unusual activities or unauthorized access attempts. 

Restrict access to sensitive information 

• Content access control: Limit access to sensitive pages, posts or data to only those who need it. 
• File permissions: Ensure server file permissions are correctly set to prevent unauthorized access or modifications. 

Backup your website regularly 

• Scheduled backups: Regularly back up your website, including databases and user data. 
• Secure storage: Store backups in secure, off-site locations or use encrypted cloud storage solutions. 

Read more: Handy Guide to Backing Up Your WordPress Website

Review third-party access 

• API and integration management: Monitor and control any third-party services or APIs that have access to your site. 
• Revoke unused access: Remove permissions for integrations or users that are no longer needed. 

Plan for user role changes 

• Onboarding procedures: Establish a standardized process for adding new users, including assigning appropriate roles and training. 
• Offboarding procedures: When a user leaves the organization, promptly adjust or revoke their access to prevent unauthorized activity. 
• Role transition policies: Define clear protocols for changing a user’s role when their responsibilities change within the organization. 

Enforce account security measures 

• Login security: Implement measures like limiting login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks. 
• Password expiration: Consider policies that require users to update their passwords periodically. 

Also read: A Must-Have Website Security Checklist

Utilize secure hosting services 

• Choose reliable hosting: Bluehost hosting offers advanced security features, including built-in firewalls, automated malware scanning and DDoS protection. This ensures your site remains protected from cyber threats. Additionally, our 24/7 monitoring helps detect vulnerabilities early, giving you peace of mind. 
• SSL certificates: SSL encryption is essential for protecting sensitive data and building visitor trust. Bluehost provides a free SSL certificate with every hosting plan, automatically encrypting data transfers between your site and its users.   

Stay informed about security trends 

• Continuous learning: Keep up-to-date with the latest WordPress security news and updates. 
• Community engagement: Participate in WordPress forums or communities to learn from others’ experiences and share best practices. 

Common mistakes and how to avoid them 

1. Overlooking role-based content restrictions: Some content may need to be restricted based on WordPress user roles. Use plugins to limit access to sensitive posts or pages.
2. Not testing role changes before applying: Directly modifying user roles without testing can cause functionality issues. Use Bluehost’s staging environment to test changes before applying them live.
3. Forgetting to log out from Admin accounts: Staying logged in as an administrator on public or shared devices increases security risks. Always log out after making changes.
4. Giving third-party services full control: Some integrations require access to your WordPress site, but not all need administrator role permissions. Grant only the necessary access.
5. Not customizing roles for unique needs: Default WordPress user roles may not fit all workflows. Creating custom WordPress user roles ensures users have the right level of access without unnecessary permissions.
6. Ignoring Multisite role differences: If using WordPress Multisite networks, the super admin has full control over all sites, while individual site admins have limited access. Assign roles carefully.
7. Failing to remove former employees’ access: Ex-employees or team members who no longer need access should have their roles downgraded or removed immediately to prevent unauthorized changes.

By avoiding these overlooked mistakes, you can improve security, workflow and WordPress role management efficiency.

Final thoughts

Understanding WordPress roles and permissions helps you manage your website efficiently while keeping it secure, which is always a good idea. By assigning the right roles, you ensure that each user has the appropriate level of access, improving workflow and preventing unauthorized changes.

If your website requires more flexibility, custom WordPress user roles and plugins can help tailor access to fit your needs. Regularly reviewing and updating permissions ensures that only the right users have control, reducing security risks.

At Bluehost, we make managing WordPress user roles easier with a user-friendly dashboard, seamless plugin integration and automated backups. Our hosting solutions provide a secure and scalable environment, so you can focus on growing your website without worrying about access management.

With the right tools and hosting support, you can optimize user roles, enhance security and maintain full control over your WordPress site. Let’s build a secure and efficient website together!

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