Logging In to the Dashboard

The direct approach (also known as jumping in) usually works best when you want to get familiar with a new software tool. To that end, just follow these steps to log in to WordPress and look at the guts of the Dashboard:

1. Open your Web browser and type the WordPress login page address (or URL) in the address box.

   The login page's address looks something like this (exchange that .com for a .org or a .net, as needed):

   http://www.yourdomain.com/wp-login.php

   If you installed WordPress in its own folder, include that folder name in the login URL. If you installed WordPress in a folder ingeniously named wordpress, the login URL becomes http://www.yourdomain.com/wordpress/wp-login.php.

2. Type your username in the Username text box and your password in the Password text box.

   In case you forget your password, WordPress has you covered. Click the Lost Your Password link (located near the bottom of the page), enter your username and e-mail address, and then click the Submit button. WordPress resets your password and e-mails the new password to you.

3. Select the Remember Me check box if you want WordPress to place a cookie in your browser.

   The cookie tells WordPress to remember your login credentials the next time you show up. The cookie set by WordPress is harmless and stores your WordPress login on your computer. Because of the cookie, WordPress remembers you the next time you visit. Additionally, because this option tells the browser to remember your login, we don't advise checking this option on public computers. Avoid selecting Remember Me when you're using your work computer or a computer at an Internet café.

   Note: Before you set this option, make sure that your browser is configured to allow cookies. (If you aren't sure how to do this configuration, check the help documentation of the Internet browser you're using.)

4. Click the Log In button.

   After you log in to WordPress, the Dashboard page appears.