You’ve spent hours building your WordPress site, crafting content, and perfecting every detail. But here’s the thing – sometimes you don’t want everyone to see everything. Maybe it’s a client project, a private blog post, or an under-construction page. Whatever the case, password-protecting a WordPress page is the solution.
WordPress security is a big deal. Hackers or accidental visitors can land on pages they’re not supposed to see. You don’t want sensitive information floating around. That’s where password protection comes in – it’s quick, effective, and gives you control over access.
Let’s say you’re a photographer sharing client galleries or a small business owner working on a landing page that isn’t ready for the public yet. Instead of leaving those pages exposed, you can lock them behind a password. WordPress makes it super simple to password protect pages. Whether you use the built-in feature or go for a plugin with extra options, you can secure your content in just minutes.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to lock down your WordPress pages step by step. We’ll cover the built-in tools and explore plugins for advanced features. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to keep your content safe. Let’s dive in and take control of your WordPress security!
Why Password Protect a WordPress Page?
Here’s why it’s a game-changer to password protecting your WordPress site page.
- Keep sensitive content private: Whether it’s client deliverables, internal documents, or exclusive resources, password protection ensures only the right people can access your content.
- Control access during development: If you’re building a page that isn’t ready for public eyes, locking it with a password keeps things under wraps until launch day.
- Share exclusive content: If you’re running an online course, hosting private events, or sharing premium downloads, password-protected pages create a VIP experience for your audience.
- Safeguard intellectual property: Photographers, designers, and creators can use this feature to prevent unauthorized access to their work.
How to Password Protect a WordPress Page (The Built-In Way)
Want to lock down a page on your WordPress site without adding plugins? WordPress has a built-in feature that makes it super easy to password protect a WordPress page.
Here’s how you can do it in just a few steps:
Step 1: Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard
Make sure you’re using an admin account because only admins can change visibility settings.
Step 2: Find the Page or Post You Want to Protect
Go to Pages > All Pages or Posts > All Posts. Click on the page or post you want to secure.

Step 3: Change the Visibility Settings
On the right-hand side, under the “Page” tab settings, look for “Status.” By default, it’s set to “Public.” Click it and select “Password Protected.”

Step 4: Set your password
Enter a password that visitors will need to access the page. Keep it simple but not too obvious.
Step 5: Save Your Changes
Hit “Publish” (if it’s a new page) or “Update” (if it’s already live).
That’s it! Now, when someone tries to view that page, they’ll see a password prompt instead of the content. See the image below from our Caverta – Bar Site.

This method is perfect for quick privacy fixes, like hiding draft pages or sharing exclusive content with select people. It’s simple, effective, and takes less than a minute to set up. If you’re looking for more advanced features, like locking down sections of a page or using multiple passwords, plugins might be a better option. But for basic needs, this built-in tool gets the job done!
Need More Features? Use a Password Protect Plugin
If you’ve ever tried to password protect a WordPress page using the built-in feature, you’ve probably noticed it’s great for simple tasks but lacks flexibility. That’s where plugins come in – they give you more control, better options, and a whole lot of convenience.
WordPress plugins like Password Protect WordPress (PPWP) take your page security to the next level. They’re perfect if you need features beyond what WordPress offers out of the box. With a plugin, you can:
- Protect sections of a page: Only want part of your content locked? Plugins let you restrict specific areas while keeping the rest visible.
- Use multiple passwords: Need different passwords for different users? No problem.
- Secure your entire site: Want to lock down everything until it’s ready to go live? Plugins make it easy.
- Customize user access: Assign passwords based on user roles or permissions for added flexibility.
How to Set It Up
Setting up the Password Protect WordPress (PPWP) plugin is quick and straightforward. If you’re looking for more control over how you password protect a WordPress page, this plugin has you covered.
Step 1: Install and Activate the Plugin
First, head to your WordPress dashboard. Go to Plugins > Add New and type “PPWP” in the search bar.
When it pops up, click Install Now and then hit Activate once it’s ready.

Step 2: Open the Plugin Settings
After activation, you’ll notice a new menu item on your sidebar called Password Protect WordPress.
Click on it to access all the settings and features.

Step 3: Choose What You Want to Protect
This is where the magic happens:
Individual pages or posts:
Open the page editor and enable password protection directly from the plugin settings.

Partial content:
Use shortcodes provided by PPWP to lock specific sections of a page while keeping other parts public. It works fine with for popular page builders, like Elementor or Beaver Builder.

Entire site:
Toggle the “Password Protect Entire Site” option in the plugin settings to lock down everything.

Step 4: Save and Test
Save your changes and visit your site as a guest to ensure everything works as expected. Now, when visitors land on protected pages, they’ll see custom prompts asking for a password. Whether you’re locking down private projects or premium content, this plugin makes it simple!
Final Thoughts on How to Password Protect a WordPress Page
Whether you’re using WordPress’s native feature or going all-in with plugins like PPWP, protecting your site’s pages is simple and effective. It keeps sensitive content safe, gives you control over who sees what, and even helps manage SEO when done right. So next time someone asks “How do I password protect a WordPress page?”, you’ll know exactly what to do.