{"id":126332,"date":"2014-02-28T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-02-28T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/premium.wpmudev.org\/blog\/?p=126332"},"modified":"2022-02-11T13:55:01","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T13:55:01","slug":"plugins-for-easier-wordpress-multisite-user-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/plugins-for-easier-wordpress-multisite-user-management\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Plugins For Easier WordPress Multisite User Management"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Wrapping your head around how user accounts work on WordPress Multisite can be tricky and at times even counter-intuitive.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, I\u2019ll walk you through how WordPress Multisite handles users across a network, and I&#8217;ll share with you\u00a07 plugins that can help make managing users easier and more logical for everyone involved.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prefer a video? Check out the video version of this article below:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><span class=\"embed-youtube-lazy-id dev-hidden\">tBZrrC5fAfQ<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Side note:<\/strong> If you want to set up a <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/web-hosting-design-business-wordpress-multisite\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress hosting business through Multisite<\/a>, you\u2019ll also find these plugins to be incredibly useful.<\/p>\n<p>Continue reading, or jump ahead using these links:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#how-multisite-user-management-works\">How Multisite User Management Works<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#7-plugins-to-make-multisite-user-management-easier\">7 Plugins To Make Multisite User Management Easier<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"how-multisite-user-management-works\">How Multisite User Management Works<\/h2>\n<p>The most important concept to keep in mind when thinking about <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/ultimate-guide-multisite\/\" target=\"_blank\">Multisite\u2019s management of users<\/a> is that all users are members of the network, not a particular site.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, with a plain install the default behavior is for any site\u2019s register \/ sign-up form to redirect to the primary site &#8211; enforcing this idea of joining the network.<\/p>\n<p>When the user completes the registration process, they are \u201cnetwork subscribers\u201d and have no actual role on any site&#8230; not even a default role.<\/p>\n<p>To be given a specific role in a specific site, <a href=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wordpress-multisite-masterclass-activation-configuration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">they need to be added to that site. <\/a>Only then, do they appear in the user list for that site (as well as being in the network list).<\/p>\n<p>Out-of-the-box, new and existing users can be added to a site, one at a time, via each site\u2019s dashboard.<\/p>\n<p>This behavior is the same for both sub-domain and sub-folder multisite set-ups, and can come as a surprise for many people.<\/p>\n<p>Clearly then, both the network admin and the site admins need help to make user management more flexible and less time consuming.<\/p>\n<p>Here are seven plugins that can provide that help:<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"7-plugins-to-make-multisite-user-management-easier\">7 Plugins To Make Multisite User Management Easier<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"dev-tutorial-list\"><li class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item\"><header class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__header\"><h3 class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__title\">User Role Editor<\/h3><\/header><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"298\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/user-role-editor-2-600x298.png\" class=\"attachment-ratio-large size-ratio-large\" alt=\"User Role Editor image\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__image --><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__content\"><p>User Role Editor is a plugin that allows you to edit, create, and fill selected roles with the capabilities you require.<\/p>\n<p>The standard version also comes with Multisite support. However, the pro version of this plugin takes Multisite functionality up a notch.<\/p>\n<p>Allowing you to manage roles and users for all of your sites from one point. You can also restrict the access of single site administrators to selected user capabilities, and add or delete role operations.<\/p>\n<p>This plugin can also help set up individual lists of themes available for activation to selected single site administrators.<\/p>\n<\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__content --><footer class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__footer\"><p>Interested in User Role Editor?<\/p><div class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__cta\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/user-role-editor\/\" class=\"dui-btn dui-btn--sm dui-btn--brand dev-btn--More info\">More info<\/a><\/div><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__cta --><\/footer><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__footer --><\/li><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item --><li class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item\"><header class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__header\"><h3 class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__title\">Create User With Password Multisite<\/h3><\/header><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"273\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/user-password-600x273.png\" class=\"attachment-ratio-large size-ratio-large\" alt=\"Create User With Password Multisite image\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__image --><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__content\"><p>When it comes to single site WordPress, admins expect to be able to set a password when registering a new user.<\/p>\n<p>Sadly, this is not the case for WordPress Multisite. The ability for site admins to set passwords is removed, as users could potentially register for multiple sites within the site network.<\/p>\n<p>This simple plugin extends the basic functionality of WordPress Multisite, by adding a \u2018password\u2019 field to the user registration screen. This then allows Super Admins to set the password for each user during the registration process.<\/p>\n<p>Also, if you\u2019re looking for an interesting read, check out how the team at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mooveagency.com\/wordpress\/allowing-site-admins-of-a-wordpress-multisite-to-set-new-user-passwords-plugin\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Moove created this plugin.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__content --><footer class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__footer\"><p>Interested in Create User With Password Multisite?<\/p><div class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__cta\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/create-user-with-password-multisite\/\" class=\"dui-btn dui-btn--sm dui-btn--brand dev-btn--More Info\">More Info<\/a><\/div><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__cta --><\/footer><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__footer --><\/li><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item --><li class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item\"><header class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__header\"><h3 class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__title\">Delete Me<\/h3><\/header><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"272\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/delete-me-600x272.png\" class=\"attachment-ratio-large size-ratio-large\" alt=\"Delete Me image\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__image --><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__content\"><p>This handy plugin allow users with specific WordPress roles to delete themselves from anywhere that Short codes can be used (pages, posts).<\/p>\n<p>When one of your users avails themselves of the option, they\u2019ll need to confirm their action. When they do, the plugin will automatically erase their stored information.<\/p>\n<p>Although this isn\u2019t a Multisite specific plugin, network activation and single site activation are both supported.<\/p>\n<p>Users and their content will only be deleted from the site they remove themselves from and other network sites will remain unaffected.<\/p>\n<p>By default, users registered to multiple sites on the network are only deleted from the current site and will remain registered to their remaining sites.<\/p>\n<p>However, if the setting \u201cDelete From Network\u201d is checked, users will be deleted from the entire network.<\/p>\n<\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__content --><footer class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__footer\"><p>Interested in Delete Me?<\/p><div class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__cta\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/delete-me\/#description\" class=\"dui-btn dui-btn--sm dui-btn--brand dev-btn--More Info\">More Info<\/a><\/div><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__cta --><\/footer><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__footer --><\/li><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item --><li class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item\"><header class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__header\"><h3 class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__title\">WPFront User Role Editor<\/h3><\/header><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"247\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/wp-front-1-600x247.png\" class=\"attachment-ratio-large size-ratio-large\" alt=\"WPFront User Role Editor image\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__image --><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__content\"><p>WPFront User Role Editor allows you to easily manage WordPress user roles within your site or network.<\/p>\n<p>In a nutshell, you can create, edit or delete user roles and manage role capabilities. Sadly, only the pro version of this plugin features Multisite support.<\/p>\n<p>But if you do decide to invest in the pro version, you\u2019ll be able to perform actions such as managing and editing user roles, syncing roles, creating new roles, as well as deleting and restoring roles in the network.<\/p>\n<p>You also have the option of enabling large network functionality, which can be handy if you\u2019re having trouble with a slow performing server, or if you\u2019re experiencing other overload issues.<\/p>\n<\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__content --><footer class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__footer\"><p>Interested in WPFront User Role Editor?<\/p><div class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__cta\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wpfront-user-role-editor\/\" class=\"dui-btn dui-btn--sm dui-btn--brand dev-btn--More Info\">More Info<\/a><\/div><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__cta --><\/footer><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__footer --><\/li><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item --><li class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item\"><header class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__header\"><h3 class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__title\">Profile Press<\/h3><\/header><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/profile-press-600x246.png\" class=\"attachment-ratio-large size-ratio-large\" alt=\"Profile Press image\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__image --><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__content\"><p>Profile Press enables you to create front-end login forms, custom user registration forms and front-end password reset forms that conform to WordPress themes and designs.<\/p>\n<p>This plugin does require you to install a Multisite extension.<\/p>\n<p>But once you\u2019ve done this, Multisite Integration allows users to create a new site in your Network through a front-end registration form powered by ProfilePress.<\/p>\n<p>With the extension active, edit your registration form and add the short code for the site address and site title to it.<\/p>\n<p>Upon successful registration, an email will be sent to the registered users to activate their website.<\/p>\n<\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__content --><footer class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__footer\"><p>Interested in Profile Press?<\/p><div class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__cta\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/profilepress.net\/\" class=\"dui-btn dui-btn--sm dui-btn--brand dev-btn--More Info\">More Info<\/a><\/div><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__cta --><\/footer><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__footer --><\/li><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item --><li class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item\"><header class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__header\"><h3 class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__title\">Advanced Access Manager<\/h3><\/header><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"271\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/aam-wp-600x271.png\" class=\"attachment-ratio-large size-ratio-large\" alt=\"Advanced Access Manager image\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__image --><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__content\"><p>Advanced Access Manager is all you need to manage access to your website frontend and backend for any user, role, or visitors.<\/p>\n<p>Advanced Access Manager is fully compatible with WordPress Multisite and with a free AAM Multisite extension, you can quickly navigate between your sites, or even sync access settings with a click of the button.<\/p>\n<p>Another handy feature is that AAM also extends default WordPress behavior and can restrict access to sites where a user is not a member of (by default any user can access any site in the multisite network).<\/p>\n<p>This can be easily altered with the \u201cMultisite Non-Member Restriction\u201d option. AAM will automatically restrict access to the site and redirect the user based on a site\u2019s \u201cAccess Denied Redirect\u201d rule.<\/p>\n<\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__content --><footer class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__footer\"><p>Interested in Advanced Access Manager?<\/p><div class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__cta\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/advanced-access-manager\/\" class=\"dui-btn dui-btn--sm dui-btn--brand dev-btn--More Info\">More Info<\/a><\/div><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__cta --><\/footer><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__footer --><\/li><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item --><li class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item\"><header class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__header\"><h3 class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__title\">User Switching<\/h3><\/header><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/User-switch-600x270.png\" class=\"attachment-ratio-large size-ratio-large\" alt=\"User Switching image\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__image --><section class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__content\"><p>Sometimes the only way to troubleshoot a user\u2019s issue is to actually use a site \u201cas them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Multisite compatible rather than Multisite specific, this is an invaluable plugin for troubleshooting.<\/p>\n<p>This simple plugin allows an admin to impersonate any user on a site or network by clicking on a link in the Edit User screen.<\/p>\n<p>A link to switch back to the admin account is inserted in the footer of the public facing site.<\/p>\n<\/section><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__content --><footer class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__footer\"><p>Interested in User Switching?<\/p><div class=\"dev-tutorial-list__item__cta\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/user-switching\/\" class=\"dui-btn dui-btn--sm dui-btn--brand dev-btn--More Info\">More Info<\/a><\/div><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__cta --><\/footer><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item__footer --><\/li><!-- end dev-tutorial-list__item --><\/ul><!-- end dev-tutorial-list -->\n<h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>The default treatment of users by Multisite means that help is definitely required when it comes to managing users and their membership of the various sites on the network.<\/p>\n<p>The good news is that there are some excellent plugins out there that will make that management easier, less time consuming and ultimately far more friendly for the users themselves.<\/p>\n<p>Do you have a favorite multisite user management plugin that I haven\u2019t listed? If so, share it in the comments below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How does WordPress Multisite handle users and what plugins are available that will make managing users easier and more logical for you, your site owners and the users themselves?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":775041,"featured_media":178641,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"blog_reading_time":"","wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_tutorials_categories":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1117,4],"tags":[9974,9958,9976,300],"tutorials_categories":[],"class_list":["post-126332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-multisite","category-plugins","tag-wordpress","tag-multisite-2","tag-plugins-3","tag-users"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/775041"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126332"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126332\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":205360,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126332\/revisions\/205360"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/178641"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=126332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126332"},{"taxonomy":"tutorials_categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tutorials_categories?post=126332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}