What "editing a website" means depends on what you own

If you built your site with WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or a similar platform, you log into your account and edit directly in their editor — no coding required. If someone else built your site and gave you access, you might have a login to that same editor. If you own a site but have no idea how it was built, the fastest way to find out is to ask whoever created it, or to look for a login page by typing your domain name followed by /admin or /wp-admin into your browser's address bar.

If you have a completely custom site built from scratch by a developer, editing usually means contacting that developer to make changes, or learning to edit the underlying code files yourself. The method you use depends on what you're trying to change — a single sentence is different from a whole new page — and what access you actually have.

Key Takeaways

  • Most websites built on WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace have a built-in editor you access by logging into your account, with no coding knowledge required.
  • If you don't know your site's password or login page, contact whoever built the site or check for a /admin or /wp-admin path at the end of your domain.
  • Small text changes usually happen in a visual editor that works like a word processor, while larger changes like adding pages or changing layouts may need a different tool.
  • If your site is custom-coded, you'll need either a developer to make changes or access to the underlying files through an FTP program or code editor.
  • Before you make any changes, back up your site or ask your host how to restore it if something breaks.

Finding your login page and editor

Start by opening your web browser and typing your domain name into the address bar — the one that appears in search results. Then add one of these paths to the end: /admin, /wp-admin, /login, or /dashboard. For example, if your site is example.com, try example.com/wp-admin. One of these will usually take you to a login screen.

If none of those work, your site might use a different platform. Look at the bottom of your website's home page — many platforms display a small logo or credit. Wix sites often say "Made with Wix" at the very bottom. Squarespace sites usually have a Squarespace logo in the footer. WordPress sites sometimes display "Powered by WordPress" or have a wp-content folder visible if you look at the page source (right-click anywhere on the page, select "View Page Source," and search for "wp-content").

If you still can't find the login page, contact whoever built your site. They can send you the correct URL and your username. If you've forgotten your password, most login pages have a "Forgot Password" link that will email you a reset link.

Editing text and images in a visual editor

Once you're logged in, most platforms show you a visual editor that looks similar to Microsoft Word or Google Docs. You can click directly on text to edit it, highlight words to make them bold or italic, and drag images around to reposition them. Changes usually save automatically, though some platforms have a "Publish" or "Save" button you need to click.

To change an image, click on it and look for an option to "Replace Image" or "Upload New Image." The editor will let you choose a file from your computer. To delete text or an image, click on it and press Delete or Backspace, or look for a trash icon that appears when you select it.

If you're working in WordPress, you might see a block editor (newer versions) or a classic editor (older versions). The block editor shows your content as separate blocks — one block for a paragraph, one for an image, one for a heading. Click any block to edit it. The classic editor works more like a single document. Both let you edit text the same way: click where you want to change something and type.

Adding a new page to your site

To add a new page, look for a button labeled "Add Page," "New Page," or "Create Page" in your editor's main menu or sidebar. Click it, give the page a title, and the editor will create a blank page you can fill in. Most platforms let you choose a layout or template first — for example, a "Contact" template that includes a contact form, or a "Services" template with sections for different offerings.

After you create the page, you'll need to add it to your site's navigation menu so visitors can find it. Look for a "Menu" or "Navigation" section in your editor. Click to edit the menu, then add your new page to the list. The exact steps vary by platform, but the principle is the same: create the page, then tell the site where it should appear.

Some platforms let you set a page as "hidden" or "draft" so it exists but doesn't show up in search results or your menu yet. This is useful if you're building a page and don't want visitors to see it until it's finished.

Changing your site's layout, colors, and fonts

Most platforms separate content editing from design editing. Content editing is what you do when you click on a page and change text. Design editing usually happens in a different section — often called "Design," "Customizer," "Theme," or "Settings." Look for this section in your editor's main menu.

In the design section, you can usually change your site's overall color scheme, pick different fonts, adjust the width of your content area, and upload a new logo or header image. Some platforms show you a live preview of your changes as you make them. Others require you to click "Save" or "Publish" before the changes go live.

If you want to change the layout of a specific page — for example, moving your sidebar from the right side to the left, or changing from a single column to two columns — that option is usually in the page editor itself, not the global design section. Look for a "Layout" button or option when you're editing that page.

Editing a custom-coded site or accessing files directly

If your site was built from scratch by a developer and doesn't have a built-in editor, you have two options: contact the developer to make changes, or learn to edit the code files yourself. The files live on a web server, and you access them using an FTP program (like FileZilla, which is free) or a code editor with built-in server access (like Visual Studio Code).

To use FTP, you'll need login credentials from your web host — usually a username, password, and server address. Your host can provide these. Once you're connected, you'll see folders and files. The files that make up your website are usually in a folder called "public_html" or "www." HTML files (which contain the page structure and text) typically end in .html. CSS files (which control colors and layout) end in .css. You can download these files to your computer, edit them in a text editor, and upload them back.

This method requires some understanding of HTML and CSS, or at least comfort following instructions carefully. If you make a mistake, your site might break. Always back up your files before editing them — download copies to your computer first.

Backing up your site before making changes

Before you edit anything important, find out how to restore your site if something goes wrong. Most hosting companies keep automatic backups. Log into your hosting account (not your website editor — your actual web host's control panel) and look for a "Backups" section. Many hosts let you restore your site to a previous date with one click.

If your site is on WordPress, you can install a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup that creates automatic backups and stores them on your computer or in cloud storage. If you're editing files directly via FTP, simply download copies of everything to your computer before you start editing.

Taking five minutes to back up your site can save you hours of work if you accidentally delete something or break a page layout. Most problems are easy to fix if you can restore to the version from yesterday.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my website's password if I've forgotten it?

Go to your site's login page (usually /admin or /wp-admin at the end of your domain) and click "Forgot Password." Enter your username or email address, and the site will email you a reset link. Click the link in the email and create a new password. If you don't receive an email, check your spam folder, or contact your web host's support team.

Can I edit my website on my phone?

Most platforms work on phones, though the editor is smaller and sometimes harder to use. WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace all have mobile apps you can download that make phone editing easier. For small text changes, the mobile editor usually works fine. For larger changes like adding pages or redesigning layouts, a computer is usually better.

What if I accidentally delete something important?

If you deleted something moments ago, look for an "Undo" button or press Ctrl+Z (or Command+Z on Mac). If more time has passed, restore your site from a backup. Log into your hosting account and look for a "Restore" or "Backups" option, or use a backup plugin if you have one installed.

Do I need to know code to edit my website?

No, not if your site was built with WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or a similar platform. These all have visual editors that work without coding. If your site is custom-coded and has no editor, you'll either need to contact the developer or learn some HTML and CSS basics.

How long do changes take to appear on my website?

Most changes appear instantly after you click "Publish" or "Save." Occasionally, your browser's cache shows you the old version. Press Ctrl+Shift+R (or Command+Shift+R on Mac) to do a hard refresh and see the newest version. If changes still don't appear after an hour, contact your web host.