How to Create a WordPress Custom Dashboard?

WordPress is a flexible, open-source, and customizable platform, which is why most websites are built on it.

While WordPress offers endless possibilities for creating a website, the Dashboard often remains the same with its familiar, somewhat boring look.

The good news is, like other areas of WordPress, you can also customize and personalize the WordPress dashboard to suit your preferences.

When we talk about customizing the WordPress dashboard, we mean changing the style, and theme, or altering the default options available.

In this post, we’ll guide you through different methods to create or customize your WordPress dashboard, so stay with us and keep reading until the end!

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How to Customize the WordPress Dashboard (Best 5 Methods)

Creating a custom WordPress dashboard can enhance user experience by tailoring the interface for specific needs, whether for clients, editors, or developers. Custom dashboards are ideal for simplifying workflows, displaying key metrics, or adding essential shortcuts. Here’s a guide to building a custom WordPress dashboard:

1. Customize the WordPress Dashboard with Code

For those comfortable with coding, adding custom functions can streamline the dashboard.

a) Remove Unnecessary Widgets

Use the following code to remove the default WordPress dashboard widgets:

function remove_dashboard_widgets() {

remove_meta_box('dashboard_quick_press', 'dashboard', 'side');

remove_meta_box('dashboard_incoming_links', 'dashboard', 'normal');

remove_meta_box('dashboard_right_now', 'dashboard', 'normal');

remove_meta_box('dashboard_activity', 'dashboard', 'normal');

}

add_action('wp_dashboard_setup', 'remove_dashboard_widgets');

This code removes the Quick Press, Incoming Links, At a Glance, and Activity widgets. You can adjust the function to include or exclude specific widgets as needed.

b) Add Custom Dashboard Widgets

Use the following code to add custom widgets with specific content:

function custom_dashboard_widgets() {

wp_add_dashboard_widget(

     'custom_help_widget', // Widget ID

     'Welcome to Your Custom Dashboard', // Widget Title

     'custom_dashboard_help' // Display function

);

}

function custom_dashboard_help() {

echo ‘<p>Welcome to your custom dashboard! Here’s where you can find quick links and resources tailored for you.</p>’;

}

add_action(‘wp_dashboard_setup’, ‘custom_dashboard_widgets’);

This example adds a simple welcome widget. You can replace the custom_dashboard_help() function content with links, shortcodes, or any other information.

However, if editing files and codes are not your thing, you can simply use a plugin.A great plugin for this is called Dashboard Widgets Suite.

What This Plugin Does

Dashboard Widgets Suite gives you nine ready-made widgets that you can add to your dashboard. These widgets can show different types of information, like website stats, recent comments, and more.

Easy Customization

The plugin also lets you customize these widgets, so you can adjust them to show exactly what you need.

This is a quick and easy way to make your dashboard more useful without needing to code.

c) Use CSS to Style the Dashboard

Add custom styles to the WordPress admin by enqueuing a custom stylesheet:

function custom_admin_css() {

echo '<style>

     #wpadminbar { background-color: #333; }

     .wrap h1 { color: #0073aa; }

</style>';

}

add_action('admin_head', 'custom_admin_css');

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2. Add or Remove Existing Widgets From your Dashboard

When you log into WordPress, you’ll see a dashboard with some basic sections like Activity, Quick Draft, and more. These sections are called widgets. WordPress lets you choose which of these widgets you want to keep or hide. Here’s a simple way to do it:

Step 1: Find the “Screen Options” Button

• Log into your WordPress dashboard (this is the main page you see after logging in).
• At the top right corner of the screen, you’ll see a button that says Screen Options. Click on it, and you’ll see a list of checkboxes.

Step 2: Show or Hide Widgets

• Each checkbox in the Screen Options menu controls one of the widgets you see on the dashboard.
• To hide a widget, uncheck its box.
• To show a widget, check its box.

For example, if you don’t want to see the Quick Draft widget, just uncheck the box next to it, and it will disappear.

Step 3: Repeat for Other Areas

You can use Screen Options in other parts of WordPress too! If you’re looking at Posts, Pages, Media, or Plugins, there will be different checkboxes in each section that control what you see there.

Quick Tip

If you’re setting up a new WordPress website, spend a few minutes going through each area and unchecking anything you don’t need. This makes the dashboard cleaner and easier to use.

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3. Use Plugins for Custom Dashboard Creation

Several plugins simplify creating a custom dashboard without coding:

a) Adminimize

• Allows you to customize the entire dashboard experience by hiding or displaying elements based on user roles.
• Useful for simplifying the interface for specific users, like clients who only need access to certain areas.

b) White Label CMS

• Excellent for branding the WordPress dashboard, allowing you to change logos, and colors, and remove or add widgets.
• You can also create a unique login page and adjust what’s visible for different user roles.

c) WP Custom Admin Interface

• Provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface to customize the dashboard.
• Ideal for creating custom menu structures and hiding non-essential items.

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4. Create a Custom Dashboard Menu with Shortcuts

Add a menu with links to essential sections of your WordPress site:

function custom_menu_links() {

global $menu;

$menu[5] = array( __('Site Analytics'), 'manage_options', 'https://your-analytics-url.com', '', 'menu-top', 'dashicons-chart-line', '' );

$menu[6] = array( __('Documentation'), 'manage_options', 'https://your-docs-url.com', '', 'menu-top', 'dashicons-book', '' );

}

add_action( 'admin_menu', 'custom_menu_links' );

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5. Customize the Login Screen

When someone visits your website and tries to log in, the first thing they’ll see is the WordPress login page. By default, this page looks very simple.

But If your custom dashboard serves a unique audience, consider customizing the login screen for consistency:

function custom_login_logo() {

echo '<style type="text/css">

     .login h1 a { background-image: url("https://your-site.com/logo.png"); }

     .login .button-primary { background: #0073aa; }

</style>';

}

add_action('login_enqueue_scripts', 'custom_login_logo');

If you are not okay with codes or editing files, alternatively use a plugin such as Custom Login Page Customizer.

What the Plugin Does

This plugin lets you change the look of your login page directly in the WordPress Customizer (where you usually edit your site’s design). You can add your background, logo, and colors. Even small changes can make the login page look much better and more interesting!

Pro Tip

Try to match the style of your login page with your main dashboard. This will help keep your site looking professional and consistent.

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6. You can Apply a WordPress Admin Theme

In WordPress, most people know about themes that change how a website looks to visitors. But did you know there are also themes specifically for changing the look of the WordPress dashboard? These are called admin themes.

These special themes make your dashboard (the back-end area where you manage your site) look different. They change the style, colors, and layout of the dashboard without affecting how your website functions or looks to visitors.

Examples of Admin Themes

• Slate: If you like dark themes, Slate gives the dashboard a modern, dark look.

• Aquila: Aquila has a clean, modern design that makes the dashboard look fresh and different from the default WordPress style.

Why Use an Admin Theme?

Admin themes only change the appearance of the dashboard, not how it works. This means you can try different themes to find one that looks best to you without worrying about breaking any features or functions.

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Wrapping it up!

A custom WordPress dashboard makes managing your site easier and more user-friendly. Whether you’re a business owner or a developer, customizing the dashboard helps you quickly access important tools and info. Use plugins, simple coding, or design tweaks to create a dashboard that fits your needs.

For the best experience, pair a custom dashboard with WordPress-optimized hosting to keep your site running fast and secure. This way, you’ll have a professional setup that’s easy to use and manage every day.

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