How to Bypass WordPress Login (7 Expert Tips)

“Help! I’m locked out of WordPress!” This is one of the most common emergency requests I get from my friends who are WordPress beginners. And I get it – being unable to access your WordPress dashboard can feel like being locked out of your own house.

Fortunately, I’ve learned that there’s always a way back in. Whether it’s through FTP, password reset emails, or resetting the password via the database, I’ve developed a foolproof system for bypassing WordPress login issues.

In this guide, I’ll share the expert methods I’ve learned over the years of WordPress troubleshooting. These aren’t just random tips from the internet – they’re proven solutions that have helped many website owners regain control of their sites.

When Do You Need to Bypass WordPress Login?

Sometimes, logging into WordPress isn’t as simple as entering your username and password. Things can go wrong, and access gets blocked.

Here are some common situations when you may need to bypass the login screen:

🔑 Forgotten Password: If you can’t remember your password and the reset email never arrives, you won’t be able to log in. This can happen if your email settings are misconfigured or if emails are being filtered as spam.

⚙️ Plugin Conflicts: Some security or login plugins may be incompatible with other software on your site, causing login problems. A misconfigured setting, a plugin update, or even a caching issue could cause WordPress errors that block user access.

🚨 Hacked Website: Hackers might lock you out by changing your login details. In this case, bypassing login is necessary to regain control and secure your site.

🚫 Too Many Failed Login Attempts: Many security plugins block login attempts after multiple incorrect passwords. If you’ve been locked out due to too many failed logins, you’ll need to bypass this restriction to regain access.

🛠️ Broken Login Page: A faulty theme or plugin update can sometimes break the login page. If the login form isn’t loading correctly or is showing errors, then standard login methods won’t work.

🔄 Custom Login URL Issues: Some security plugins allow you to change the default login URL for extra protection. If you forget the new URL, you can’t access the login page.

The good news is that there are ways to bypass the issue and get back in safely. I will walk you through several different WordPress troubleshooting tips.

You can use the jump links below to skip to any section:

• Tip 1. Use the Direct Login URL
• Tip 2. Reset Your Password via Email
• Tip 3. Reset Password From Your Database
• Tip 4. Disable Security Plugins via FTP
• Tip 5. Create a New Admin User via phpMyAdmin
• Tip 6. Restore Your Site From Backup
• The Fastest and Easiest Way to Bypass WordPress Login 💡
• How to Make Sure You Don’t Get Locked Out Again 🔒

Having said that, let’s take a look at some easy ways to bypass WordPress login.

Tip 1. Use the Direct Login URL

Sometimes you might not be able to find the WordPress login screen.

In that case, the simplest fix is to use the direct login URL. WordPress has a default login page that you can access even if there are minor issues with your site.

To access this login page, you can try the following URLs:

• www.example.com/wp-admin/
• www.example.com/wp-login.php
• www.example.com/admin/
• www.example.com/login/

However, don’t forget to replace ‘example.com’ with your own domain name.

Typing any of these URLs into your browser will take you to your login screen.

Now, you might be wondering how accessing the login screen can help you bypass it.

Well, if your WordPress session is still active (you’re still logged in), then the wp-admin/ URL might even take you to your WordPress dashboard without requiring a password.

If the login page doesn’t load, then you can also try adding a redirect URL. Entering this in your browser might force WordPress to redirect you to the login screen:

www.example.com/wp-admin/?redirect_to=yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/

If none of these URLs work, then you can try my next trick.

💡 Note: If you’ve changed your login URL using a security plugin, these default URLs may not work. In that case, you’ll need to enter the custom login URL you set up.

Tip 2. Reset Your Password via Email

If you can’t log in because of a forgotten password, then WordPress offers a built-in way to reset it via email. This is often the quickest and easiest way to regain access.

To do this, go to the WordPress login page (https://example.com/wp-login.php) and click on the ‘Lost your password?’ link.

Once you do that, you will need to enter your username or email address and click the ‘Get New Password’ button.

WordPress will then send a password reset link to your email. Here, click the given link, and follow the instructions to set a new password.

If you don’t receive the email, then check your spam folder. Some hosting providers or email settings may block WordPress emails.

If that happens, you may need to reset your password manually through the database (more on this in the next section).

🔎 Related Post: If your site was hacked, then you may want to reset passwords for all your users. In that case, see this tutorial on how to reset password for all users in WordPress.

⚠️ Important Warning: The following steps (tips 3-6) involve more technical troubleshooting methods. Some of these solutions require modifying your database, accessing server files, or making direct changes to your WordPress installation.

Before proceeding with any of these methods, please keep these precautions in mind:

• Create a Full Site Backup: If possible, back up your website files and database before making any changes. This ensures you can restore your site if something goes wrong. (I know this might not be possible if you can’t log in, but it’s worth mentioning.)
• Proceed with Caution: Making incorrect changes to your database or files could cause further issues. Follow each step carefully, and if you’re unsure, consider using professional help.
• Use Secure Access Methods: When working with FTP, cPanel, or PHPMyAdmin, always ensure you’re using a secure connection to avoid exposing sensitive site data.

A small mistake in the database or file structure could lead to bigger issues, so take your time and ensure you’re following the instructions carefully.

Are you worried that the following tips are too advanced for you? Don’t stress! Learn how you can get affordable, professional help instead.

Tip 3. Reset Password From Your Database

If the password reset email isn’t working, then you can manually reset your password through your website’s database. This method requires access to your hosting control panel.

For this tutorial, I will be using Bluehost, but keep in mind that these steps will differ slightly depending on your hosting provider.

Simply open your hosting panel and switch to the ‘Advanced’ tab. Then, locate the ‘PHPMyAdmin’ section and click the ‘Manage’ button.

📌 Quick Explanation: phpMyAdmin is a tool to manage your website’s stored information (like a filing cabinet for your site).

Once phpMyAdmin launches on your screen, you need to select your database from the left column. You will now see the list of tables in your WordPress database.

Here, look for the wp_users table in the list and click the ‘Browse’ link next to it

Keep in mind that the table names in your database may have a different prefix than the one I am showing in my screenshot. The prefix is the group of letters before the underscore (_) in the table name.

To learn more, see this tutorial on changing table prefixes.

You will now see a list of your website’s WordPress users. From here, click the ‘Edit’ link next to the username for the password you want to change.

Go ahead and delete the value in the ‘password’ field and replace it with your new password.

After that, click the ‘Go’ button at the bottom to store your changes.

Now visit your website to see if you can log in.

For detailed instructions, see this tutorial on how to reset a WordPress password from phpMyAdmin.

Tip 4. Disable Security Plugins via FTP

Sometimes, a security plugin can accidentally block you from logging into your WordPress site. If you suspect this might be the issue, you can manually disable the plugin using FTP.

📌 Quick Explanation: FTP is a program that helps you upload and download files to your website (like a bridge between your computer and website).

Related Post: If you are unsure which plugin is preventing you from logging in to your website, then I recommend deactivating all the plugins. For details, see this tutorial on how to deactivate all plugins when not able to access the wp admin.

First, you will need to connect your website with an FTP client like FileZilla. If you don’t know how to do that, see this tutorial on how to use FTP to upload WordPress files.

Once you have done that, navigate to the/wp-content » plugins folder.

This will open a new folder with a list of all the downloaded plugins on your site.

From here, you need to find the folder of the security plugin you want to disable. For example, if you’re using Wordfence, look for a file with its name.

When you find it, right-click the plugin folder and select the ‘Rename’ option. Then, change the folder’s name to wordfence-disabled.

This will deactivate the plugin immediately as WordPress won’t be able to find it. You can now try logging in to your website to see if the issue has been fixed.

Tip 5. Create a New Admin User via phpMyAdmin

Another way to bypass the login is to create a new admin user directly from the database using phpMyAdmin.

Go ahead and open your hosting company’s dashboard, switch to the ‘Advanced’ tab, and select the ‘PHPMyAdmin’ section.

Once it opens up, you need to click on the wp_users table. This will take you to a new screen where all the users on your website will be listed in a row.

Here, click the ‘Insert’ tab at the top to add the information for a new admin user.

For step-by-step instructions, see this guide on how to add an admin user to the WordPress database.

Once you have completed the process, you can try logging into WordPress with the new admin credentials.

Tip 6. Restore Your Site From Backup

If you backed up your site before getting locked out, then you can restore it to regain access.

Most backup plugins let you restore your site by uploading a backup file or using an external restore feature.

For example, if you’re using a backup plugin like Duplicator, then you can upload your backup package and installer file to your server to restore your site in just a few clicks.

With the paid version of the Duplicator plugin, you’ll also have access to one-click backup restores.

This allows you to restore your backup almost immediately.

However, if you backed up your site manually, then you will need to restore it using your database and files. You can either create a new database and import your backup to it, or you can empty your existing database and import the backup.

These methods will be a bit complex, which is why I don’t recommend them to beginners.

Once restored, you can log in to your site as usual and reconfigure any settings if needed.

For more information, see this beginner’s guide on how to restore WordPress from backup.

The Fastest and Easiest Way to Bypass WordPress Login 💡

Dealing with login issues, especially if they’re caused by hacks or server problems, can be frustrating and time-consuming. That’s where WPBeginner Pro Services can help.

Our Hacked Site Repair service is designed to clean up malware, fix vulnerabilities, and restore access to your site quickly.

If your login issue is due to a security breach, we’ll remove any malicious code, strengthen your site’s defenses, and get it back in working condition.

Alternatively, WPBeginner also offers an On-Demand Emergency Support Service. Our team is available 24/7 to help with any errors on your WordPress website, and we charge an affordable, one-time fee.

For more details, see our WPBeginner Pro Services page.

How to Make Sure You Don’t Get Locked Out Again 🔒

I know that getting locked out of your WordPress site can be frustrating. Here are a few simple steps that can prevent it from happening again:

• Use a Password Manager: Forgetting passwords is one of the most common reasons for login issues. I recommend using a password manager like 1Password to securely store your credentials so you don’t have to remember them.
• Set Up an SMTP Plugin: Sometimes, WordPress doesn’t send password reset emails due to server restrictions. Installing an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP ensures your site sends emails reliably, including password reset links.
• Keep a Backup of Your Login URL: If you use a security plugin to change your default login URL, then make sure you save it somewhere safe. This prevents confusion when trying to log in later.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Adding an extra layer of security prevents unauthorized logins and keeps your site safe. Use a plugin like WP 2FA or Google Authenticator to require a verification code during login.
• Have an Alternative Admin Account: If your main account gets locked out, having a secondary administrator account can be a lifesaver. Just be sure to keep it secure and limit access to trusted users.
• Create Regular Backups: Having a recent backup ensures you can restore your site quickly if you ever get locked out. Duplicator makes it easy to create and restore full backups, so you always have a recovery option.

By following these steps, you can avoid future lockouts and keep your WordPress site running smoothly.

I hope this article helped you learn how to bypass WordPress login. You may also want to see this guide on how to fix the WordPress login page refreshing and redirecting issue or our top picks for the best WordPress login page plugins.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Bypass WordPress Login (7 Expert Tips) first appeared on WPBeginner.

from WPBeginner https://ift.tt/S0GTCd3
More links is https://mwktutor.com

How to Add Trust Badges to Checkout Pages in WordPress (& Boost Sales)

Looking to boost your online store’s conversion rates? You’re not alone. When we first started selling products online, we noticed that many visitors would abandon their carts right at checkout.

The reason? They weren’t sure if they could trust our website with their payment information.

That’s when we discovered the power of trust badges. After adding them to our checkout pages, we saw an immediate improvement in sales. These small but powerful symbols help reassure customers that their transactions are secure and legitimate.

And fortunately, adding trust badges to your WordPress checkout pages isn’t complicated at all. Whether you’re selling physical products or digital downloads, this step-by-step guide will show you how to set up trust seals in WordPress.

You’ll learn which badges work best and where to place them for maximum impact. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have everything you need to boost your store’s credibility and increase your sales.

Before we dive into the beginner’s guide, here are some quick links to help you navigate to the sections that you’re interested in:

• What Are Trust Badges?
• The Benefits of Using Trust Seals in Your Online Store
• Types of Trust Badges That You Can Use
• Method 1: How to Add Custom Trust Badges to Checkout Pages in WooCommerce (Custom Code)
• Method 2: How to Add Trust Badges to WooCommerce Checkout Pages (Plugin Method)
• Method 3: How to Add Trust Badges to Checkout Pages for Digital Products
• Bonus Tips for Using Social Proof in Your Online Store
• Related Guides for Boosting Sales in WordPress

What Are Trust Badges?

Trust badges are visual elements or icons designed to reassure visitors that your website or online store is secure, reliable, and credible. You have probably seen them on checkout pages, product pages, or even website footers.

They often include badges like ‘Secure Checkout,’ ‘Money-Back Guarantee,’ ‘Verified Seller,’ or ‘Free Shipping.’ These symbols act as subtle but powerful signals that help customers feel safe making a purchase from your store.

Trust badges are especially important for online stores because customers are sharing sensitive information like credit card details.

A well-placed trust badge, such as one showing your site uses SSL encryption or is backed by a reputable payment processor, can ease concerns and help to reduce cart abandonment.

Even small design choices, like adding a PayPal or Stripe logo, can have a big impact on customer confidence.

WordPress makes it easy to add trust badges using plugins, widgets, or even custom code.

Whether you run a WooCommerce store or sell digital products with Easy Digital Downloads, adding trust badges is a simple step that can directly affect your sales.

The Benefits of Using Trust Seals in Your Online Store

Adding trust badges to your WordPress site is about more than looking professional. It also gives your customers the confidence to take the next step.

When visitors trust your site, they are more likely to stick around, make a purchase, and even return for more.

Here are some key benefits of using trust badges on your site:

• ✔️Reduce Cart Abandonment: One of the biggest reasons customers abandon their carts is fear of fraud or security concerns. Displaying trust badges like ‘Secure Checkout’ or ‘SSL Secured’ reassures them that their information is safe.
• ✔️Boost Conversions: Trust badges directly impact your sales. When customers see that your store is verified or offers guarantees, they feel more confident buying from you. In fact, a study found that adding trust badges to checkout pages increased conversions by up to 42%.
• ✔️Build Credibility: Badges like ‘Verified Seller’ or those from well-known payment processors (like PayPal or Stripe) make your site look more credible.
• ✔️Encourage Repeat Purchases: When customers have a positive, trustworthy experience, they are more likely to come back. Badges like ‘Money-Back Guarantee’ or ‘100% Satisfaction Guaranteed’ tell buyers that you stand by your products and can build long-term loyalty.
• ✔️Improve Perceived Value: Trust badges also improve how customers view your products and services. A badge like ‘Free Shipping‘ has a psychological boost because users love the idea of getting more value without additional cost.

Types of Trust Badges That You Can Use

You must keep in mind that not all trust badges are created the same, and each serves a specific purpose to address different customer concerns. From security to shipping guarantees, the type of trust badge you use can make a big difference in how customers perceive your store.

Here are some of the most common types of trust badges used on WordPress sites.

Secure Checkout Badges

One of the biggest concerns for customers when it comes to online shopping is whether their personal and payment information is safe. This is where secure checkout badges come into play.

These badges, often displayed as a padlock icon or labeled with ‘SSL Secured,’ let shoppers know your site is using SSL encryption to protect sensitive data.

In WordPress, secure checkout badges can be automatically added if you are using a reliable SSL certificate.

Many hosting providers even include SSL for free.

Pairing this with a visible badge on your checkout page makes it clear to customers that their payment details are safe from hackers or breaches.

Payment Processor Badges

Another layer of reassurance comes from using payment processor badges. Logos from trusted payment providers like PayPal or Stripe tell customers that their transactions are being handled by well-known and secure systems.

For instance, we use a ‘PayPal Verified’ logo on the MonsterInsights checkout page. This immediately ensures customers that they have the option to pay securely through a trusted platform.

This simple addition can make all the difference when a hesitant shopper is deciding whether or not to complete their purchase.

Credit Card Logo Badges

Another idea for trust badges is to display credit card logo badges on your checkout page. These badges, like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and others, let customers know that they can securely make payments using their preferred card.

It helps visitors feel more confident about sharing their payment information since they recognize these major payment brands. It is a simple way to show that your website supports safe and secure transactions.

We recommend placing these card logos where they are easy to spot, like near the payment options or checkout button.

Customer Satisfaction Badges

Customer satisfaction badges are a great way to boost confidence and encourage people to make a purchase. These badges signal to potential buyers that your store values their experience and offers reliable services.

For instance, Money-Back Guarantee is a customer satisfaction badge that reassures customers that if they are not happy with their purchase, they can get their money back.

Similarly, a Free Shipping Badge can instantly make your store more appealing. It is an easy way to increase conversions by highlighting a benefit that many customers look for when shopping online.

You can also add a Verified Seller Badge if you have a store on a platform like Etsy. This will allow you to show that your store is credible and trustworthy.

Client and Partner Logo Badges

Displaying your clients’ logos on your website is a powerful way to build credibility and trust.

When potential customers see that well-known brands or companies work with you or are using your product, it gives your business a stamp of approval.

For example, at OptinMonster, we show a list of logos of all the famous brands that are using our product.

Third-Party Endorsement Badges

Third-party endorsement badges are another tool for improving your credibility. They show that your business has been recognized or approved by an external organization or expert.

These badges act as independent validation that your products or services meet certain standards, making potential customers feel more confident about their purchase decisions.

For instance, seals from trusted organizations, like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or security certification seals (like Norton or McAfee), can go a long way in reassuring customers that your site is safe.

If your business has won any industry awards or been featured in top publications, then you can also show these badges. They will serve as proof that experts or influencers in your field recognize your business’s quality and success.

Method 1: How to Add Custom Trust Badges to Checkout Pages in WooCommerce (Custom Code)

If you’ve already designed your WooCommerce checkout page and want to add trust badges to it, then this is the method for you. It’s also a free method if you don’t want to invest in a dedicated WooCommerce plugin like FunnelKit (Method 2).

We’re going to be working with custom code here, which can be a bit risky and even break your website. That’s why we’re going to use WPCode.

It is the best WordPress code snippets plugin on the market. After thorough testing, we have concluded that it is the easiest and safest way to add custom code. To learn more, see our WPCode review.

Note: Keep in mind that you will also need to add your own trust seal images to the WordPress media library. For details, see our guide on how to properly add images in WordPress.

First, you need to install and activate the WPCode plugin. For step by step instructions, see our tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Note🚨: The plugin also has a free version that you can use for this tutorial. However, upgrading to the pro plan will give you access to smart conditional logic, block snippets, and a cloud library of code snippets.

Upon plugin activation, head over to the Code Snippets » + Add Snippet page from the WordPress dashboard.

Here, click the ‘Use Snippet’ button under the ‘Add Your Custom Code (New Snippet)’ option.

You will now be directed to a new screen where you must add a code snippet name. This name will only be for your identification and will not be shown to any users.

Then, choose ‘HTML Snippet’ as the ‘Code Type’ from the popup.

Go ahead and add the following custom code into the ‘Code Preview’ box:

<div class="wpcode-trust-badge" style="text-align: center;">
        <img src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/trust-badge.png" width="100" alt="Trusted" />
</div>

Hosted with ❤️ by WPCode

1-click Use in WordPress

After that, be sure to replace the placeholder image URL with the URL of your trust badge image to display it correctly on the checkout page.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to upload the trust badge image to your WooCommerce store and retrieve its URL from the WordPress media library. If you’re unsure how to do this, check out our tutorial on how to get the URL of images you upload in WordPress.

You can add as many trust badge images as you like.

Now, scroll down to the ‘Insertion’ section and choose the ‘Shortcode’ option.

Then, toggle the ‘Inactive’ switch to ‘Active’ and click the ‘Save Snippet’ button.

Once you do that, WPCode will generate a shortcode that you will be adding to your WooCommerce checkout page.

Simply click the ‘Copy’ button and store the shortcode somewhere safe.

Now, open your store’s checkout page in the WordPress block editor.

Related Post🔍: If you are just getting started with creating a store, then see our WooCommerce made simple guide for in-depth instructions.

Here, you need to choose a suitable place within the checkout block to display your trust badge, ensuring it’s highly visible to customers.

While the ‘Shortcode’ block isn’t available in this section, the trust badge shortcode will still work correctly when placed inside a ‘Paragraph’ block.

Finally, click the ‘Update’ or ‘Publish’ button to store your changes.

Now, visit your WooCommerce store to see the trust badges in action.

Method 2: How to Add Trust Badges to WooCommerce Checkout Pages (Plugin Method)

If you want to add trust badges to your WooCommerce checkout page without using custom code, then FunnelKit Funnel Builder is a great option.

It comes with professionally designed checkout templates that already include trust badges, helping you create a high-converting checkout experience with minimal effort.

Keep in mind that this version will involve creating an entirely custom WooCommerce checkout page. So, if you just want to add trust badges to your existing checkout page, then please go to Method 1.

We’ve tested FunnelKit a lot over the years, and it’s a great tool for improving your WooCommerce store. For details, see our complete FunnelKit review.

First, you need to install and activate the FunnelKit Funnel Builder plugin. For details, see our tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Note🚨: Most of the checkout page templates will be locked in the free plan. That’s why we recommend using the FunnelKit Pro version.

Once you’ve activated the plugin, you need to go to the FunnelKit » Store Checkout page and click the ‘Create Store Checkout’ button.

You can now choose from any of FunnelKit’s professionally designed checkout page templates.

To take a closer look at the trust badges for each template, simply click the ‘Preview’ button.

We’re using the Hific template, which has multiple trust badges related to security.

When you find a template you want to use, go ahead and click on the ‘Import This Funnel’ button.

Doing this will show a prompt on the screen.

Go ahead and click the ‘Activate’ button. Once you do that, type in the name for your store’s checkout page.

You will now be able to edit the checkout page according to your liking.

For step-by-step instructions, see our guide on how to customize checkout pages in WooCommerce.

Once you are done, head back to the Store Checkout page and click on the ‘Draft’ button.

Then, choose the ‘Publish’ option from the dropdown menu.

Now, visit your WooCommerce store to see the custom checkout page.

Here, you will see the trust seals at the bottom.

For more details on getting the most out of FunnelKit, see our guide on how to make a high-converting sales funnel in WordPress.

Method 3: How to Add Trust Badges to Checkout Pages for Digital Products

If you sell digital goods with Easy Digital Downloads (EDD), then it’s actually super easy to add trust badges to your checkout pages. You’ll just need to make sure that you first have a functional store for selling digital downloads in WordPress.

You’ll also need the WPCode plugin because it comes with built-in EDD locations that make it even easier to add trust badges to your store.

Note🚨: Keep in mind the EDD specific locations are only available in the pro version of WPCode. If you use the free plan, then you can use the shortcode method instead.

Important: Keep in mind that you will also need to add your own trust seal images to the WordPress media library. For details, see our guide on how to properly add images in WordPress.

First, you will need to install and activate the WPCode plugin. For details, see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon plugin activation, visit the Code Snippets » + Add Snippet page and choose the ‘Add Your Custom Code (New Snippet)’ option.

Then, select ‘HTML Snippet’ as the code type.

Now, simply add the following custom code into the ‘Code Preview’ box:

<div class="wpcode-trust-badge" style="text-align: center;">
        <img src="/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/trust-badge.png" width="100" alt="Trusted" />
</div>

Hosted with ❤️ by WPCode

1-click Use in WordPress

Once you do that, make sure to add the URL of your trust badge image from the media library. If you’re not sure where to find it, then please see our guide on how to get the URL of images you upload in WordPress.

Then, scroll down to the ‘Insertion’ section and choose the ‘Auto Insert’ mode.

After that, you need to expand the ‘Location’ section and switch to the ‘eCommerce’ tab.

Next, scroll down to the ‘Easy Digital Downloads’ section and select the ‘After the Checkout Cart’ option. Now, your trust badges will automatically be added to your EDD checkout page.

If you’re using the free version of WPCode, then you’ll need to copy the WPCode shortcode and paste it into your checkout page. For details, see our guide on how to add shortcodes in WordPress.

Go ahead and toggle the ‘Inactive’ switch to ‘Active’ from the top.

Then, click the ‘Save Snippet’ button to store your settings.

Now, visit the checkout page in your digital downloads store.

Here, you will notice that the trust badges are showing in your chosen location.

Bonus Tips for Using Social Proof in Your Online Store

Using random icons on your checkout page won’t automatically boost conversions. Instead, you need the right trust signals in the right places.

Here are a few tips to get the most out of social proof in your WordPress store:

• 🎨Match the Badges to Your Store’s Design: Trust badges should stand out just enough to grab attention without clashing with your design. Avoid oversized, pixelated, or mismatched badges that make your checkout page look cluttered.
• 🔥Test and See What Works Best: Not all badges work the same for every store. Try different placements, designs, and messaging to see what resonates with your customers. A/B testing can help you find the perfect combination.
• ⭐Show more social proof with customer reviews. Showing positive reviews from happy customers can also convince shoppers to complete their purchases. For details, see our guide on how to show Google, Facebook, and Yelp reviews in WordPress.
• 💰Show real-time purchase notifications. Showing users that other customers are buying your products can convince them to do the same. Learn how to do this in our guide on how to create a live sale notification in WooCommerce.

Related Guides for Boosting Sales in WordPress

• How to Reduce Stripe Transaction Fees in WordPress (Expert Tips)
• How to Create a Services Section in WordPress (Easy Ways)
• Important Online Payment Statistics, Data, and Trends
• How to Make Money Using AI (Easy Ideas)
• Best Homemade Things to Make and Sell Online (Expert Pick)
• WordPress Payment Processing: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Add Trust Badges to Checkout Pages in WordPress (& Boost Sales) first appeared on WPBeginner.

from WPBeginner https://ift.tt/unzQqNB
More links is https://mwktutor.com

How to Keep Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics

Recently, we discovered something alarming while auditing one of our clients’ websites. Email addresses and phone numbers were showing up in their Google Analytics reports, exposing sensitive visitor information that they never intended to collect.

Collecting personally identifiable information from users can be a major issue. Not only does it violate privacy regulations like GDPR, but it also puts your business at risk of hefty fines and losing the trust of your customers.

But here’s the good news: preventing personally identifiable information (PII) from ending up in your analytics is actually quite straightforward once you know how.

We’ve spent years working with Google Analytics across hundreds of websites, and we’ve developed a foolproof system to keep sensitive data out of your reports. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to protect your visitors’ privacy while still getting all the valuable insights you need from your analytics data.

What Is Personally Identifiable Information, and Why Should You Protect It?

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is any data that, when combined, can reveal a person’s identity.

Some common examples of PII include:

• Full name (first and last)
• Email address
• Phone number
• Home address
• Credit card information
• Login credentials (usernames and passwords)
• IP addresses (when linked to individuals)

The problem is that PII often sneaks into Google Analytics through URLs.

Let’s say that users submit personal details on contact forms or login pages on your WordPress site. This data can be embedded in the URL of the next page they visit.

The URL might look like this:

www.example.com/contact-us/thanks?email=personal@information.com.

In that example, we can see that the URL shows the user’s email address.

Why Should You Keep Personal Info Out of Analytics?

Privacy laws like GDPR are serious about protecting personal data. That’s one reason why Google doesn’t allow businesses to collect or store PII.

If your Google Analytics account is capturing PII, you could end up in trouble, facing hefty fines or having your account suspended.

And it’s not just a technical issue – it can have real consequences for your business. Users expect businesses to respect their privacy. But if they feel their data isn’t safe, they might take their business elsewhere.

That’s why it’s so important to keep PII out of your Google Analytics data.

With that in mind, we’ll show you how to keep personally identifiable information (PII) out of Google Analytics. Here’s a quick overview of the 2 methods we’ll share with you:

• Method 1. Using a WordPress Plugin to Keep PII Out of Google Analytics (Easy)
• Method 2. Keeping PII Out of Google Analytics (Manual Approach)
• Bonus Tips for Privacy Compliance on Your Website
• FAQs About Keeping Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics
• Further Reading: More Analytics and Tracking Guides

Ready? Let’s get started.

Method 1. Using a Plugin to Keep Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics

Google Analytics can be overwhelming to navigate, especially when trying to ensure compliance with privacy regulations.

Managing cookie consent, anonymizing IP addresses, and adjusting privacy settings can quickly become overwhelming. For many people, sorting through these settings and ensuring compliance is no easy task.

If you’re a WordPress user, then we have good news for you.

MonsterInsights is the best WordPress analytics plugin, and it integrates seamlessly with Google Analytics 4 (GA4). With its Privacy Guard feature, it offers privacy-friendly tracking that you can manage directly from your WordPress dashboard.

ℹ️ Quick note: MonsterInsights powers our conversion tracking at WPBeginner, helping us monitor traffic, forms, buttons, referral links, and more with ease. See why we love it in our detailed MonsterInsights review!

Step 1. Install and Activate the MonsterInsights Plugin

First, let’s get started by creating a MonsterInsights account. Just head over to the website and click the ‘Get MonsterInsights Now’ button.

You can then go ahead and choose a plan. For this tutorial, we recommend the Plus plan or higher, as it includes the Privacy Guard feature to help with compliance.

After signing up, you can install and activate the MonsterInsights plugin on your WordPress site. For step-by-step instructions, see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Step 2. Connect MonsterInsights to Your Google Analytics Account

Upon activation, you’ll need to connect the MonsterInsights plugin to your Google Analytics account.

In your WordPress dashboard, you need to go to Insights » Launch the Wizard to start the setup.

After that, you’ll select the category that best describes your website.

MonsterInsights gives 3 options – business site, publisher (blog), or eCommerce (online store).

After selecting a category, simply click ‘Save and Continue’ to proceed.

On the next screen, you can click ‘Connect MonsterInsights’ to start the connection process.

Then, you can follow the prompt to sign in to your Google Analytics account.

Upon signing in, you can select the website you want to track from the dropdown menu.

From here, go ahead and click the ‘Complete Connection’ button. MonsterInsights will then automatically install Google Analytics on your WordPress website.

For details, feel free to refer to our guide on how to install Google Analytics in WordPress.

Step 3. Enable the Privacy Guard Feature

Keeping Personally Identifiable Information (PII) out of your tracking doesn’t have to be complicated.

With MonsterInsights’ Privacy Guard, you can do it in just a few clicks!

This feature automatically scans your website for sensitive information. It checks for any private details and prevents them from being stored in your analytics reports.

These details can be:

• Form submission data, such as personal information entered in contact or registration forms.
• URL data, which is the full web address of the page, including the domain name, path, and any additional information.
• Query parameters, which are the bits of data in URLs, like “?id=1234.” They often track specific user actions or provide extra information to the website.

To do this, let’s navigate to the Insights » Settings » Engagement tab.

From here, you can go ahead and turn on the ‘Privacy Guard’ switch – that’s it!

MonsterInsights will now help protect personally identifiable information and keep you compliant with privacy laws.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer: No plugin can guarantee 100% legal compliance because every website is different. We strongly recommend consulting an Internet law attorney to ensure your site meets all legal requirements for your location and specific use case.

This is not legal advice – just a friendly heads-up to help you stay informed!

Method 2. Keeping Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics

In this method, we’ll guide you through configuring the settings that you need to keep PII out of Google Analytics directly from its dashboard.

This option is best for advanced users, as it gives you full control over the setup.

Additionally, since this method isn’t limited to WordPress, you can follow along even if you made your website with a different website builder.

First, you’ll need to sign in to your Google Analytics account.

Go ahead and click on the ‘Sign in to Analytics’ button.

In the dashboard, let’s hover over the sidebar and click the ‘Admin’ menu.

Once inside, you’ll want to locate the ‘Data collection and modification’ section.

After that, let’s click on ‘Data streams.’

This will take you to the table, which lists all your data streams.

Now, you can select your website from the list.

This will open the ‘Web stream details’ slide-in.

From here, let’s scroll down to the ‘Events’ section and click ‘Redact data.’

On the next screen, you will see the ‘Redact data’ menu.

The ‘Choose what to redact’ section of this slide-in has two switches at the top.

Let’s first redact email addresses by flipping the switch. Google Analytics will then automatically exclude email addresses from the data it collects.

Then, you can filter out other PII by entering query parameters.

To do this, you’ll need to enable the switch for ‘URL query parameter.’ Then, you can enter your query parameters in the respective field.

For example, here, we added ‘name,’ first_name,’ ‘last_name,’ and ‘ip_address.’

Once everything looks good, you can save your settings.

Google Analytics will now help protect PII and keep your site privacy-compliant.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer: Configuring settings manually in the GA4 dashboard requires precise knowledge of which data needs to be redacted.

This can be tricky, and even a small mistake may result in sensitive information being collected.

We recommend thoroughly reviewing your data collection settings to ensure all PII is properly excluded. Always take the necessary precautions, as improper configuration could lead to compliance issues.

Bonus Tips for Privacy Compliance on Your Website

Keeping personal info out of analytics reports is just one way to comply with privacy regulations. We also recommend following these tips:

• Show a cookie notice on your WordPress website. This popup message allows users to give their consent for tracking cookies on your website. Plus, it’s super easy to set up with a powerful plugin like WPConsent.
• Create GDPR-compliant forms. With a form plugin like WPForms, you can easily add GDPR agreement fields to your forms, disable user cookies and details, and delete user data when requested.
• Add a GDPR comment privacy checkbox. Comment plugins like Thrive Comments can help your discussion section comply with GDPR with just the click of a button.

For more details, just see our complete guide to GDPR compliance for WordPress users.

FAQs About Keeping Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics

Keeping PII out of Google Analytics is important for privacy and compliance. If you still have questions, feel free to take a look at some quick answers to common questions:

How does Google handle user data and privacy concerns?

Google takes privacy seriously. It anonymizes data and complies with strict regulations like GDPR.

While Google provides tools to help businesses protect user privacy, it’s ultimately up to the businesses to make sure they don’t collect personally identifiable information (PII).

Does Google Analytics collect personally identifiable information?

Not by default. But if you’re not careful, PII can sneak in through URLs, form submissions, or custom tracking settings. That’s why it’s important to set things up correctly.

Do all sites with analytics need cookie warnings?

Yep! If your site tracks users with cookies (like Google Analytics does), then privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA require you to show a cookie notice and get user consent.

Further Reading: More Analytics and Tracking Guides

Understanding how to keep PII out of Google Analytics is just the beginning! If you want to fine-tune your tracking, improve data accuracy, and stay compliant with privacy laws, then check out these helpful guides:

📊 Google Analytics 4: A Beginner’s Guide – Learn how to set up GA4 on your WordPress site and make the most of its powerful features.

• 📢 WordPress Post Analytics – Find out how to easily access and track your blog stats.
• 🎯 How to Set Up Google Analytics Goals – Measure what really matters on your WordPress website.
• 🔗 How to Install and Setup Google Tag Manager – Simplify tracking by managing all your tags in one place.
• 🔍 How to Track Outbound Links – See which external links your visitors are clicking the most.
• ✋ How to Block WordPress Referrer Spam in Google Analytics – Improve the accuracy of your reports by making sure that spam requests do not pollute your data.
• 💭 In-Depth Comparison of MonsterInsights vs SiteKit – See how these powerful analytics plugins stack up.

That’s all there is to it! We hope this guide has helped you learn how to keep personal info out of Google Analytics. You may also like to see our guide on how to get a custom email alert in Google Analytics or our expert pick of the best WordPress GDPR plugins.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Keep Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics first appeared on WPBeginner.

from WPBeginner https://ift.tt/DLTY9bz
More links is https://mwktutor.com