Where to find the WordPress editor and what you can change

To edit a WordPress website, you log in to the admin dashboard — usually at yoursite.com/wp-admin — and use the built-in editor to change pages, posts, images, and menus. The editor you see depends on which version of WordPress your site runs. Most newer sites use the block editor (also called Gutenberg), which lets you build pages by stacking blocks of content like text, images, and buttons. Older sites may still use the classic editor, which works more like a word processor.

What you can edit without touching code includes page text and headings, images and their captions, links, the order of content on a page, your site's menus and navigation, and basic settings like your site title and tagline. You cannot edit the underlying code or install new features without either learning to code or using plugins — add-on programs that extend what WordPress can do.

Key Takeaways

  • Log in at yoursite.com/wp-admin with your username and password to reach the WordPress dashboard where all editing happens.
  • The block editor (Gutenberg) is the default on newer WordPress sites and lets you add, rearrange, and edit content blocks without writing code.
  • You can edit page text, images, links, and menus directly in the editor, but changing the site's design or adding new features usually requires plugins or code knowledge.
  • Always save your changes before leaving the editor, and use the Preview button to see how your edits look on the live site before publishing.
  • If you break something, WordPress keeps older versions of your pages — look for the Revisions option to roll back to a previous version.

Logging in and finding what you need to edit

Go to yoursite.com/wp-admin (replace "yoursite.com" with your actual domain) and enter your username and password. If you do not have login details, ask whoever set up the site or the hosting provider. Once logged in, you land on the Dashboard — a home screen showing recent activity and quick links.

On the left sidebar, you will see menu items for Pages, Posts, Media, and Settings. Click Pages to edit the main pages of your site (like Home, About, Contact). Click Posts to edit blog entries or news items. Click Media to manage images and files. Each section shows a list of existing content — click the title of the page or post you want to change, and the editor opens.

Using the block editor to change text and images

When you open a page or post in the block editor, you see your content divided into blocks. Each block is a self-contained piece — a paragraph, an image, a heading, a button, or a list. To edit text, click inside the block and type or delete as you would in any document. To change how a block looks, click it and use the toolbar that appears above it or the panel on the right side of the screen.

To add a new block, click the plus icon between blocks or at the end of the page. A menu appears showing block types you can insert: Paragraph, Heading, Image, Button, Columns, and many others. Click the block type you want, and it appears in your page. To remove a block, click it and press Delete, or click the three-dot menu on the block and choose Remove Block.

To replace an image, click the image block and look for an Upload or Replace button. You can drag a new image from your computer onto the block, or click to browse your Media Library — the collection of all images and files you have uploaded to the site. Once an image is in place, you can add a caption by clicking below the image and typing.

Editing menus and site-wide settings

Your site's navigation menu — the links at the top or side of every page — is edited separately from individual pages. In the left sidebar, click Appearance, then Menus. You will see a list of menus your site uses. Click the menu name to edit it. You can add new links by typing a page title or URL and clicking Add to Menu. Drag menu items up or down to reorder them. Click the arrow next to a menu item to indent it and create a submenu (a dropdown under a main link).

To change your site's title, tagline, or other basic information, go to Settings in the left sidebar. Click General to edit the Site Title (what appears in browser tabs and search results) and Tagline (a short description below the title). Other settings tabs control how posts are displayed, what happens when someone visits your site, and how comments work. Most sites do not need to change these — stick to General unless you have a specific reason.

Saving, previewing, and publishing your changes

As you edit, WordPress saves your work automatically every few seconds — you will see "Saving" appear briefly at the top. However, you should also click the Save button (or Update if you are editing an existing page) to ensure your latest changes are stored. If you are working on a new page and not ready to publish it yet, click Save as Draft instead of Publish. A draft is invisible to visitors until you publish it.

Before publishing, click the Preview button to see how your page looks on the live site. This opens a new window showing your changes as visitors will see them. Check that text is readable, images are in the right place, and links work. If something looks wrong, close the preview, make changes, and preview again.

When you are ready to go live, click Publish. The page becomes visible to anyone who visits your site. If you published by mistake, you can click Unpublish to hide it again, or click Revert to Draft to take it offline while you keep editing.

Using the classic editor if your site has it

If your site uses the classic editor instead of blocks, the interface looks different but works similarly. You see a single text area with formatting buttons above it — Bold, Italic, Link, and others — much like Microsoft Word. To add an image, click the image icon in the toolbar, then Upload or choose from your Media Library.

The classic editor does not use blocks, so you cannot rearrange sections as easily. Instead, you select text and apply formatting to it. Headings are created by selecting text and choosing a heading level from the Format dropdown. Links are added by selecting text, clicking the Link button, and pasting a URL. If you find the classic editor confusing, ask your hosting provider or site administrator whether you can switch to the block editor — most WordPress sites can use either one.

What to do if you make a mistake

WordPress keeps a history of changes to every page and post. If you delete something important or make a change you regret, you can undo it. While editing, press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) to undo your last action. You can undo multiple times to go back several steps.

If you have already published a page with a mistake, or if you want to go back further than undo allows, look for the Revisions option on the right side of the editor (you may need to click the three-dot menu to find it). Click Revisions to see a list of all saved versions of the page, with dates and times. Click an older version to view it, then click Restore to revert the page to that point. Your current version is not deleted — you can restore forward again if you change your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add a new page to my website?

In the left sidebar, click Pages, then click Add New Page at the top. Give the page a title, add content using blocks, and click Publish. The new page is now live, but it will not appear in your navigation menu unless you add it manually. Go to Appearance > Menus, find your menu, and add the new page to it.

Can I edit my site on my phone?

Yes. The WordPress app for iPhone and Android lets you edit pages and posts on the go. Download the WordPress app, log in with your site credentials, and you can make changes from anywhere. The mobile editor is simpler than the desktop version — some advanced features are not available — but it works well for text edits and publishing posts.

What is the difference between Pages and Posts?

Pages are permanent parts of your site (like About, Contact, Services) and do not have dates. Posts are typically blog entries or news items with publication dates, and they appear in reverse chronological order. Use Pages for content that does not change often, and Posts for content you add regularly.

How do I change the colors or fonts on my site?

That depends on your site's theme — the template that controls the overall look. Go to Appearance > Customize to open the theme customizer. Here you can usually change colors, fonts, and layout options without writing code. If your theme does not offer the customization you want, you may need to switch themes or hire a developer to edit the code.

What if I cannot log in to the WordPress dashboard?

First, make sure you are going to the correct URL (yoursite.com/wp-admin). Check that Caps Lock is off and your password is typed correctly. If you still cannot log in, click Lost your password? on the login page, enter your email address, and WordPress will send you a reset link. If you do not receive an email, contact your hosting provider — they can reset your password for you.