Docs / Settings Reference / Frontend Access Settings

Frontend Access Settings

The Frontend Access settings control how users interact with WordPress Download Manager from the frontend of your site. Access these settings from Downloads > Settings > Frontend Access.

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
    Email 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
  • Related Documentation

  • User Dashboard Shortcode
  • Author Dashboard Shortcode
  • Access Control
  • Last updated on January 26, 2026

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