5 Easy Ways to Restricted Pages in WordPress by User Role

WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that offers versatility, empowering millions of websites around the world. One of its strengths is to manage user roles and pertinence and give access to site administrators to control what different users can see and do. Cutting down on pages by user role is an essential feature for websites that require different access levels, such as membership sites, online courses, and private blogs. We will explore five easy ways to restrict WordPress pages by user role in this essay that provide an expansive guide for website administrators and developers.

1. Utilize WordPress’ built-in features

An attended user prologue management system in WordPress enables administrators to manage access to various areas of the website. WordPress comes with six default user roles. They are as follows:
Administrator
Editor

Author

Contributor

Subscriber and

Super Admin, etc.

The six default user roles have a set of capabilities that narrate the actions that users can perform.

The Steps to Restricted Pages in WordPress Using Built-in Capabilities

i) A New Page Template Making:

To restrict access to a special page, you can make a custom page template. In your theme’s directory, create a new file and name it page-restricted.php.
Now add the following code to the file:

/*
Template Name: Restricted Page
*/
get_header();
if ( current_user_can( 'edit_posts' ) ) {
// Content for users with the capability to edit posts
echo '<h2>Restricted Content</h2>';
echo '<p>This content is only visible to users with the capability to edit posts.</p>';
} else {
// Message for users without the capability
echo '<h2>Access Denied</h2>';
echo '<p>You do not have permission to view this content.</p>';
}
get_footer();
?>

This code checks if the current user can edit posts. If they do this, it displays the restricted content. Otherwise, it shows an access denied message.

ii) Assign the Template to a Page:

In the WordPress dashboard, create a new page or edit an existing one.
Under the “Page Attributes” section, select the “Restricted Page” template.
Publish or update the page.

This way makes good use of the native capabilities of WordPress. Making it simple, elegant, and useful for sites that need access control.

2. The Use of Plugins

WordPress plugins offer a convenient solution for more advanced access control. Several plugins provide powerful features based on user roles to restrict content.

Favorite Plugins for Restricted Pages in WordPress:

Member Press:

MemberPress is a comprehensive membership plugin. which will help you create and manage subscriptions, restrict content, and sell digital products. It provides a user-friendly interface to set up access rules and protect pages, posts, and custom posts based on membership levels.

Restricted Content Pro:

Restricted Content Pro is another strong plugin that is very helpful for managing subscriptions and limiting content. It gives several features including subscription management, payment integration, and detailed reporting.

Pro of Paid Membership:

A free plugin with various options for regulating memberships and limiting content is called Paid Memberships Pro. It often offers a variety of payment channels, membership tiers, and content protection choices.

The Steps to Restricted Pages in WordPress by Using a Plugin :

If you restricted pages in WordPress by using a plugin, first install a plugin, go to the WordPress dashboard, navigate to ‘Plugins’, and click ‘Add New’. Then go to the ‘Content Pro Restricted’  button and click ‘Install Now’, the plugin installation is done.

i) Choose the Subscription Package:

Click the ‘Limit’ button first, then select ‘Membership Levels’ and click ‘Add New’ to define membership levels. Establish tiers of membership with varying levels of access.

ii) Page Restrictions:

Edit the page you want to restrict. Select the membership levels that can access the page in the ‘Restrict this content’ meta box Now update the page.

Using a plugin provides a user-friendly and scalable analysis for managing access to content. Especially for sites with complex membership requirements.

3. Custom Code in Functions.php

For developers comfortable with coding, adding custom functions to the functions.php file is a flexible way to restrict pages by user role.

The Steps to Restricted Pages in WordPress by Using Custom Code:

i) Develop a Custom Routine:

In your theme’s functions.php file, add the following function:

function restrict_page_access() {
if ( is_page( ‘restricted-page’ ) && ! current_user_can( ‘manage_options’ ) ) {
wp_redirect( home_url() );
exit;
}
}
add_action( ‘template_redirect’, ‘restrict_page_access’ );

This function checks whether the current page is restricted and also checks if the user does not have the “manage_options” capability (usually reserved for administrators).

ii) Add the Feature to a Page:

Note the page slug and create a page with the title Restricted Page. If you wish to restrict, change the restricted page in the function to the actual slug of the page.

4. Using Shortcodes

You can limit content on posts or pages more effectively with shortcodes than with plugins or template modifications. By adding a custom shortcode, you can control access to specific sections of content that will make it different and acceptable.

The Steps to Restricted Pages in WordPress by Using Shortcodes:

i) Add a Custom Shortcode:

In your theme’s functions.php file, you should add the following code:

[Restricted]
<p>

This content is restricted to users with the capability to edit posts.</p>
[/restricted]

This shortcode checks if the user is logged in and can edit posts. If this is done, it displays the content enclosed by the shortcode; otherwise, it shows an access denied message.

ii) Use the Shortcode in a Page:

You can edit the page where you want to restrict content. Now you wrap the restricted content in the [restricted] shortcode:

[Restricted]
<p>

This content is restricted to users with the capability to edit posts.</p>
[/restricted]

Update the page.

Shortcodes provide a malleable way to control access to specific sections of content within a page or post, making it easy to actualize without extensive coding.

5. Using Page Builders with Access Control

Page builders like Elementor and Beaver Builder offer built-in access control features, allowing you to restrict WordPress content based on user roles directly within the page builder interface.

The Steps to Restricted Pages in WordPress Using a Page Builder :

The steps to restrict pages in WordPress by using a page builder are given below:

i) Install and Activate the Page Builder:

Go to the WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Plugins,” and click “Add New.” Search for “Elementor” and click “Install Now.”After installation, click “Activate.

ii) Edit a Page with Elementor:

Create a new page or edit an existing one. Here, click “Edit with Elementor.”

iii) Add Access Control to Sections:

In the Elementor editor, select the section you want to restrict. In the “Advanced” tab, find the “Dynamic Visibility” settings (this feature may require an additional add-on like “Dynamic. on”). Set the visibility conditions based on user roles. Using page builders with access control features provides a visual and intuitive way to manage content restrictions, ideal for users who prefer a no-code or low-code approach.

WordPress user role restriction is a crucial way to control content access, ensuring that particular users can only read or interact with content appropriate for their permissions. You can ease security and user experience by regulating who has access to internal resources, premium content, and private pages by using user roles. By adding role-based content limits, you can build a more dynamic and secure website that delivers the correct content to the right audience at the right time, whether through plugins, custom coding, or built-in WordPress settings.