Frontend Access Settings
3 min read
Updated Mar 9, 2026
The Frontend Access settings control how users interact with packages, login/registration pages, dashboards, and upload permissions from the front end of your website without accessing the WordPress admin panel.
These options help you build frontend-only file submission, download, and management systems.
Dashboard Pages
Configure the pages that power WPDM’s frontend functionality.
User Dashboard Page
The central hub where users can:
- View their download history
- Access purchased packages
- Manage their profile
- View orders and licenses
Setup:
- Create a new page in WordPress
- Add the shortcode:
[wpdm_user_dashboard] - Select this page in the User Dashboard Page dropdown
Author Dashboard Page
Enables users to submit and manage their own packages:
- Upload new packages
- Edit existing packages
- View download statistics
- Manage files
Setup:
- Create a new page
- Add the shortcode:
[wpdm_frontend] - Select this page in the Author Dashboard Page dropdown
Login & Registration
Login Form Settings
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Enable Login Form | Show login form to guests | Enabled |
| Redirect After Login | Where to send users after login | User Dashboard |
| Show Remember Me | Display “Remember Me” checkbox | Enabled |
| Show Lost Password | Display password reset link | Enabled |
Registration Settings
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Enable Registration | Allow new user registration | WordPress Default |
| Default Role | Role for new users | Subscriber |
| Require Email Verification | Verify email before activation | Disabled |
| Registration Redirect | Where to send after registration | User Dashboard |
Login Form Shortcode
Display a login form anywhere:
[wpdm_login_form]
Parameters:
| Parameter | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| redirect | URL to redirect after login | redirect="/dashboard/" |
| logo | Show site logo | logo="true" |
Author Dashboard Settings
Package Submission
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Allow Guest Submission | Let non-logged users submit | Disabled |
| Require Approval | Admin approval for new packages | Enabled |
| Allowed File Types | File extensions users can upload | zip,pdf,doc |
| Max File Size | Maximum upload size | 50MB |
Dashboard Menus
Control which menus appear in the Author Dashboard:
| Menu | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Add Package | Create new packages | Enabled |
| All Packages | List user’s packages | Enabled |
| Edit Profile | Update profile info | Enabled |
| Statistics | View download stats | Enabled |
File Upload Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Upload Method | Browser / Server / Remote URL |
| Chunk Size | Size of upload chunks for large files |
| Allowed Origins | Domains allowed for remote uploads |
Access Restrictions
Guest Access
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Show Login Prompt | Prompt guests to log in |
| Guest Download | Allow guest downloads if package permits |
| Show Protected Content | Show locked content description to guests |
User Dashboard Access
Restrict which user roles can access the User Dashboard:
- Administrator
- Editor
- Author
- Contributor
- Subscriber
- Custom roles
Author Dashboard Access
Control who can submit packages:
| Role | Default Access |
|---|---|
| Administrator | Full access |
| Editor | Full access |
| Author | Own packages only |
| Contributor | Submit for review |
| Subscriber | No access |
Profile Settings
Profile Fields
Enable or disable profile fields:
| Field | Default |
|---|---|
| Display Name | Enabled |
| Enabled (required) | |
| Bio | Enabled |
| Website | Enabled |
| Social Links | Enabled |
| Avatar | Enabled |
Profile Visibility
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Public Profile | Allow public profile pages |
| Show Download Stats | Display user’s downloads publicly |
| Show Packages | List user’s packages on profile |
Shortcodes Reference
| Shortcode | Description |
|---|---|
[wpdm_user_dashboard] |
Complete user dashboard |
[wpdm_frontend] |
Author dashboard |
[wpdm_login_form] |
Login form |
[wpdm_reg_form] |
Registration form |
[wpdm_user_profile] |
User profile display |
Tips
- Create dedicated pages for each dashboard for better SEO
- Use role-based access to control sensitive features
- Enable email verification to reduce spam registrations
- Test the login flow as different user roles