Where to find the text you want to change

The place you edit website text depends on how your site was built. If you use a website builder like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress.com, you log into your account and use their editor. If your site runs on WordPress installed on your own server, you log into the WordPress dashboard. If someone else built your site on a custom platform, you may have a separate admin panel with its own login.

The fastest way to find out: look for a login link on your website itself, usually at the bottom of the page or in a menu marked "Admin" or "Dashboard". If you do not see one, contact whoever built or hosts your site — they can tell you where to log in and what your username is.

Key Takeaways

  • Most website builders and WordPress have an editor you reach by logging into your account or dashboard, not by editing files directly.
  • You find the text block you want to change, click it to select it, and type your new text — the site saves automatically or when you click a Save button.
  • If you cannot find a login page or editor, your site may be hosted on a platform you do not have access to, and you will need to contact the person who manages it.
  • Changing text in the website editor is different from changing code; you do not need to know HTML or programming to edit what visitors see.
  • After you make changes, refresh the page in your browser to see them, because your browser may be showing an older cached version.

Logging in to your website editor

Open your web browser and go to your website's login page. For WordPress.com and most website builders, this is usually your-site-name.com/admin or your-site-name.com/login. For WordPress installed on your own server, it is usually your-site-name.com/wp-admin.

Enter your username and password. If you do not remember your password, click the "Forgot Password" link and follow the steps to reset it — you will receive an email with a reset link. Once you are logged in, you should see a dashboard or editor screen with options to edit pages, posts, or content.

Finding and selecting the text you want to change

In your editor, look for a list of pages or posts. Click the one that contains the text you want to edit. The page will open in edit mode, and you should see the text displayed on the screen. Some editors show the page as it looks to visitors; others show a text-only view. Either way, you can see the content you need to change.

Click directly on the text you want to edit. In most editors, this selects that text block or paragraph. You will see a cursor (a blinking line) appear, or the text will be highlighted. If the text is inside a box or section, you may need to click the box first before you can edit the text inside it.

Making your changes and saving

Once the text is selected, delete the old text and type your new text. You can select all the text in a block by pressing Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac), then type to replace it. Or you can click at the beginning of a word and drag to select just the part you want to change.

After you finish typing, look for a Save or Publish button. In WordPress, this is usually a blue "Publish" or "Update" button on the right side of the screen. In Wix or Squarespace, changes often save automatically, but you may still see a Save button to confirm. Click it to save your changes. If you do not save, your changes will be lost if you close the editor or navigate away.

Seeing your changes on the live website

After you save, go back to your website in a new browser tab and refresh the page. Press Ctrl+R (or Cmd+R on Mac), or click the refresh button in your browser. Your new text should appear. If you still see the old text, your browser may be showing a cached (stored) version of the page. Try a hard refresh by pressing Ctrl+Shift+R (or Cmd+Shift+R on Mac).

If you are still seeing the old text after a hard refresh, go back to your editor and check that you actually saved your changes. Look for a green checkmark or "Saved" message on the page. If the save did not go through, try saving again.

Editing text in different website builders

WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress both use a block editor. Click the text block you want to change, and a toolbar appears above it with formatting options. You can make text bold, italic, or a different color without knowing any code. Wix and Squarespace work similarly — click the text, and an editing panel opens on the side or above.

Shopify, if you use it for an online store, stores product descriptions and page text in different places. Product text is edited on the product page itself; page text is edited under Pages in the main menu. Weebly and other simpler builders usually have a drag-and-drop editor where you click any text box to edit it directly.

If your site uses a custom platform built by a developer, the editor may look different. Look for buttons labeled Edit, Manage Content, or CMS (Content Management System). If you cannot find where to edit text, ask the person who built your site to show you or to give you access to the right tool.

What to do if you cannot find the editor

If you cannot log in or cannot find an editor after logging in, your site may be hosted on a platform that does not give you direct editing access. Some sites are built on services where only the original creator can make changes. In that case, contact the person who built your site or your web host and ask them to either give you editor access or make the changes for you.

If you built the site yourself but forgot where it is hosted, check your email for receipts or invoices from the hosting company or website builder. Look for emails from Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy, Bluehost, or similar services. If you still cannot find it, you can try visiting your-site-name.com/admin or your-site-name.com/wp-admin and see if a login page appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know HTML or code to edit website text?

No. Website builders and WordPress editors let you edit text the same way you would in a word processor — you just click and type. The editor handles the code behind the scenes. You only need to know code if you want to change how the page looks or add custom features, which is different from editing text.

What if I accidentally delete something important?

Most editors have an Undo button (usually Ctrl+Z or Cmd+Z) that lets you undo your last change. If you have already saved and closed the editor, some platforms keep version history. In WordPress, you can find previous versions under Revisions. Check your editor's menu or help section to see if old versions are saved.

Can I edit text on my phone or tablet?

Yes, most website builders and WordPress have mobile apps or mobile-friendly editors. Log in the same way you would on a computer, and the editor will adjust to fit your screen. Some features may be harder to use on a small screen, so a computer is usually easier for detailed edits.

Why does my text look different after I save it?

Your website may have a design template that changes how text appears — fonts, colors, and spacing are controlled by the template, not by what you type. If you want to change how the text looks, not just what it says, look for formatting options in your editor, usually a toolbar above the text or a panel on the side.

How do I add a new page or section with text?

In your editor, look for a button labeled Add Page, New Page, or Create. Click it, give the page a name, and you will get a blank page to add text to. You can then add text blocks by clicking an Add Text or Insert Block button. The exact steps vary by platform, so check your website builder's help section if you get stuck.