How to add an author to wordpress

If you have a blog or website on WordPress, you may want to add multiple authors to your site. This can help diversify your content and bring in new perspectives. Additionally, having multiple authors can also help with SEO by increasing the amount of content on your site. In this article, we will discuss how to add an author to WordPress and the benefits of doing so.

Why Add an Author to WordPress?

Adding an author to your WordPress site can have several benefits. Here are a few reasons why you may want to consider adding an author to your site:

Diversify Your Content

by Clay Banks (https://unsplash.com/@claybanks)

Having multiple authors on your site can bring in new perspectives and ideas. This can help keep your content fresh and interesting for your readers. It also allows for a wider range of topics to be covered, making your site more appealing to a larger audience.

Increase Content Output

With multiple authors contributing to your site, you can increase the amount of content being published. This can help with SEO by providing more opportunities for your site to rank for different keywords. It also allows for a more consistent publishing schedule, which can keep your readers engaged and coming back for more.

Build a Community

By adding authors to your site, you are creating a community of writers who can collaborate and support each other. This can lead to increased engagement and a stronger sense of community among your readers.

How to Add an Author to WordPress

Now that you understand the benefits of adding an author to your WordPress site, let’s discuss how to actually do it. There are a few different ways to add an author to your site, depending on your specific needs and preferences.

Method 1: Create a New User

The first method is to create a new user on your WordPress site. This is the most straightforward way to add an author, and it allows you to have full control over the user’s permissions and access.

To create a new user, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to “Users” > “Add New.”
2. Fill in the required information for the new user, including their username, email address, and password.
3. Assign the user a role. For an author, you can choose “Author” or “Contributor.” The main difference between these roles is that an author can publish their own posts, while a contributor’s posts need to be approved by an editor or administrator.
4. Click “Add New User” to save the changes.

The new user will now appear in your list of users, and they can log in and start creating content for your site.

Method 2: Use a Plugin

Another way to add an author to your WordPress site is by using a plugin. There are several plugins available that can help you manage multiple authors on your site. One popular option is the “Co-Authors Plus” plugin.

To use this plugin, follow these steps:

1. Install and activate the “Co-Authors Plus” plugin from the WordPress repository.
2. Navigate to “Users” > “Guest Authors” in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Click “Add New” to create a new guest author.
4. Fill in the required information for the guest author, including their name, email address, and bio.
5. Click “Save Guest Author” to add the new author to your site.

The guest author will now appear in your list of users, and they can start contributing to your site.

Method 3: Use a Theme with Multiple Authors Support

Some WordPress themes come with built-in support for multiple authors. If you are using one of these themes, you can easily add an author by following these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to “Users” > “Add New.”
2. Fill in the required information for the new user, including their username, email address, and password.
3. Assign the user a role. For an author, you can choose “Author” or “Contributor.”
4. Click “Add New User” to save the changes.

The new user will now appear in your list of users, and they can start creating content for your site.

How to Display Author Information on Your Site

Once you have added an author to your WordPress site, you may want to display their information on your site. This can help readers get to know the author and build a connection with them. There are a few different ways to display author information on your site.

Method 1: Use the Author Bio Box

by Brandable Box (https://unsplash.com/@brandablebox)

Many WordPress themes come with a built-in author bio box that can be displayed at the end of each post. This box typically includes the author’s name, bio, and a profile picture. To enable this feature, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to “Users” > “Your Profile.”
2. Fill in the “Biographical Info” section with the author’s bio.
3. Upload a profile picture in the “Profile Picture” section.
4. Click “Update Profile” to save the changes.

The author bio box will now be displayed at the end of each post written by that author.

Method 2: Use a Plugin

Another way to display author information on your site is by using a plugin. One popular option is the “Simple Author Box” plugin. This plugin allows you to display an author bio box at the end of each post, as well as on the author archive page.

To use this plugin, follow these steps:

1. Install and activate the “Simple Author Box” plugin from the WordPress repository.
2. Navigate to “Users” > “Your Profile” in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Fill in the “Biographical Info” section with the author’s bio.
4. Upload a profile picture in the “Profile Picture” section.
5. Click “Update Profile” to save the changes.

The author bio box will now be displayed on your site.

How to Improve Author Rank on WordPress

If you have multiple authors on your WordPress site, you may want to track their performance and see how they are contributing to your site’s success. One way to do this is by using author rank.

Author rank is a metric that measures the impact of an author’s content on your site. It takes into account factors such as the number of posts, comments, and social shares. By tracking author rank, you can identify your top-performing authors and reward them for their contributions.

To improve author rank on your WordPress site, follow these tips:

1. Encourage authors to write high-quality, engaging content.
2. Promote authors’ posts on social media.
3. Encourage readers to leave comments on authors’ posts.
4. Use a plugin or tool to track author rank and provide feedback to authors.

Conclusion

Adding an author to your WordPress site can have several benefits, including diversifying your content, increasing content output, and building a community. There are a few different ways to add an author to your site, and you can choose the method that works best for you. Once you have added an author, you can display their information on your site and track their performance using author rank. By following these tips, you can successfully add an author to your WordPress site and reap the benefits of having multiple authors.