When we browse a website, we typically see the front-end of the site which is the visually appealing design and what’s called the user interface. However, there’s a hidden side to websites called the back-end, which plays a vital role in their functionality.
In this post, we’ll explore what the back-end of a website is, why businesses might need access to it, and the pros and cons of having access without professional web development knowledge.
We’ll also discuss how a professional web developer can make the admin section user-friendly for the website owner or their staff.
Understanding the Back-End
The backend of a website we are referring to is the behind-the-scenes infrastructure and technologies that power its functionality, (what you see as the website when you look at it online).
It consists of many components that enable the website to store and retrieve data, handle user interactions, and perform complex operations.
Think of this back-end as the engine of your website. Just like a car’s engine, it is not only very important to have, but there are many parts to an engine that make it work. If one of these parts is not working effectively, then the engine starts to have problems… like blowing smoke out of the exhaust.
When accessing the back-end of a website we generally log in to what is called the admin section. The admin area is an interface where you can make changes to the front end of the website.
Why Access To The Back-End Admin Is Important For Businesses
Content Management – Access to the back end allows website owners to update content efficiently. They can add new pages, edit existing content, perform updates, and upload media files — generally ensuring that the website’s information is always up-to-date.
E-commerce Functionality – For businesses that sell products or services online, back-end access is crucial. It enables them to manage inventory, process orders, track sales, and integrate payment gateways. Back-end access ensures a smooth and secure e-commerce experience for both businesses and customers.
Customisation and Scalability – Back-end access allows businesses to customise their website’s functionality to meet specific requirements. It enables the integration of third-party services, the implementation of complex business logic, and the ability to scale the website as the business grows.
The Cons of Back-End Access for Non-Web Developers
Steeper Learning Curve – Understanding and navigating the back-end requires technical knowledge and training, whether self-taught or not.
Risk – Higher risk of errors or unintentional modifications that could affect website functionality, design or worse, crash it completely!
Time-Consuming – Mastering back-end skills may divert attention from core business activities. This in itself will offset any potential cost savings a business may think they can save by doing it themselves.
5 Pros of Having a WordPress Custom Admin Dashboard
1) Enhanced Control
Gain greater control over staff management, ensuring their access aligns with their job responsibilities for effective task execution.
2) Improved Security
You can guarantee that individuals with website login credentials only access the specific sections of the site they require. This is crucial because various functionalities on a WordPress site may contain sensitive data like personal information, licence keys, or even financial and customer data.
3) Streamlined Updates
Ability to have selected people with access to make immediate changes on the site without any prior technical knowledge or training. This could be from updating text, adding a blog post, or even managing new members to the website.
4) Mitigate Risk
Even if you are the sole user of the website, the admin section contains numerous settings that can be altered easily. If incorrect configurations are made, deactivations of software or deletions could potentially lead to a catastrophic website situation. Repairing such issues can be time-consuming and costly. With a customised admin dashboard, the risk factor can be reduced greatly.
5) User-Friendly Experience
When something is easy to use, it enhances the overall experience. This concept is referred to as UX or user experience. If your site is for business purposes, the last thing a business needs is to learn how to use the software or to train staff on how to use it — this takes time and time is money.
With a custom admin, most functionalities required can be done very easily and sometimes within a few clicks.
How Professional Web Developers Make the Back-End User-Friendly
Professional web developers play a crucial role in simplifying and streamlining the back-end experience for non-technical users.
The goal is to create user-friendly interfaces and develop intuitive content management systems (CMS), for clients and or their staff to access. On completion of the development and depending on how complex the job was, there may be additional training and support provided. These efforts combined ensure that businesses can manage their website efficiently without the need for in-depth technical expertise.
Experienced web developers are essential in making the technical aspects of websites more user-friendly for non-tech-savvy individuals.
Once the layout of the admin area has been decided on, the developer’s primary objective is to create an interface that is easy to navigate and intuitive to clients and their staff. On completion, and based on the project’s complexity, there may be extra training and assistance required for the site owner and their staff.
Is a WordPress Custom Admin Dashboard Absolutely Necessary?
When it comes to running and overseeing a website using WordPress, the short answer is no. WordPress functions as a content management system (CMS), and over time, the site owner should become acquainted with its backend features.
However, within the WordPress admin, there are numerous sections that don’t require frequent access, such as permalink settings, and other general site settings, yet they remain visible at all times and can be easily modified.
The issue lies in the fact that all settings are readily available, and making an incorrect alteration due to inexperience could lead to harmful consequences for the website.
To enhance risk mitigation, we have found that it’s advisable to opt for a custom WordPress admin dashboard if you’re not well-versed in WordPress functionalities, and your staff frequently access the admin area. This is what we do to help our clients, as tailored solutions will better cater to their needs.
Case Study
One illustrative case in point is the recent website we created for The Shelter Collective. They provide safe shelter for all. A community-driven collective with the goal of planning and delivering realistic and accessible housing solutions that improve affordable housing available for all people, regardless of their circumstances.
Their unique requirements were centred around the necessity for their staff to access the admin area to carry out specific tasks.
Consequently, it was imperative to develop a tailored WordPress admin dashboard.
The website’s functionality encompassed a wide range of features, including donations, blogging, and member administration. Each staff member had distinct access requirements, limited to their specific tasks only, such as blogging.
To achieve this, we crafted a highly customised admin dashboard designed for specific roles.
To enhance staff confidence and assistance levels, we took additional measures and included the creation of instructional video tutorials for each task. This resulted in an improved user experience (UX) for their staff who quickly grasped the website’s task execution even without prior technical knowledge.
Final Thoughts
Even though the back end of a website usually operates behind the scenes, its significance is undeniable. Gaining access to the back end equips website owners with the tools they need to control content, add features, and personalise their websites.
Nevertheless, individuals lacking technical expertise should thoughtfully evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of delving into the back end without the guidance of a professional website manager.
With that in mind, there are many business owners who simply do not understand or have the time to learn the intricacies of managing a website, and why would they… They are focused on building their business, not learning a new trade like website development.
So when considering options, the smart thing to do would be to collaborate with a proficient web developer to ensure a more user-friendly back-end experience, enabling website owners and businesses to concentrate on their primary activities, while fully unlocking their website’s potential.
