How to Create a Client Portal for WordPress in 7 Easy Steps [2025]

If you have a WordPress site, the easiest way to create a client portal is to install a WordPress plugin and set up the client portal.

All you need to do is:

1. Install and activate the plugin
2. Configure General settings
3. Set up email templates and notifications
4. manage access and restrictions
5. Create and add registration and login forms
6. Create restricted content
7. Test the registration and login process

Now, let’s take a more in-depth look at how to create a client portal for WordPress and the best client portal plugins for you to consider. 

How to Create a Client Portal for WordPress: Step by Step Guide

With our easy-to-follow guide, you can set up your client portal in 30 minutes with the Ultimate Member plugin. It offers an excellent free plan that’s perfect for small businesses in particular.  

Here’s what you need to do: 

1. Install and Activate the Plugin

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for “Ultimate Member” and click “Install Now”.
4. Once installed, click “Activate” to enable the plugin.

2. Configure General Settings

1. Go to Ultimate Member > Settings > General.
2. Click on Create Pages to create a user page, login page, register page, logo out page, and more. 

3. Pages will be created. Click Save Changes.

4. Go to Users and make changes if you want to. But one of the settings you should definitely change is Avoid indexing profile by search engine. Set this to Yes to stop your user page from showing up on Google. 

5. Go through Account and Uploads settings and make changes as per your needs. 

3. Set Up Email Templates & Notifications

1. Navigate to Ultimate Member > Settings > Email.

2. Adjust the email templates for all the different email categories by clicking on Manage.
3. Click on the Enable this email notification checkbox to send it to your customers.

4. Customize the email content as you would like.
5. Click on Save Changes before exiting.
6. Once you enable email notification, a green tick will appear next to it on the email list.

7. Update Email Sender Options. Set the Admin Email Address and other info as needed.

4. Manage Access and Restrictions

1. Go to Ultimate Member > Settings > Access.
2. Choose if site access should be limited to logged-in users.
3. Set up content restriction rules based on user roles.
4. Configure redirect options for restricted content access.
5. Click “Save Changes”.

5. Create and Add Registration & Login Forms

1. Go to Ultimate Member > Forms> Add New

2. Create a registration form and login form first for client onboarding. (add form title, fields like Name, Email, Password). Click on Update to save changes.

3. Copy the shortcodes for both forms and paste them to the respective pages that were created. 

4. Go to Pages from the WordPress sidebar, search for Registration and Login pages one by one and paste the shortcodes from respective forms. Click on Update.

6. Create Restricted Content

1. Go to any page that you want to restrict. At the bottom of the page, you’ll see the Ultimate Member: Content Restriction section. 
2. Set Who can access this post? To logged-in users only. Make any other changes if necessary and Update the page.

3. Update your website Menu to include an option to access Membership or restricted content. Click on the checkbox and click on Add to Menu.

7. Test the Registration & Login Process

1. Visit the Registration Page and create a new user account.
2. Check for the account welcome email.
3. Try accessing restricted content (it should redirect to login).
4. Log in with the new account and verify access.

Note: You can check the whole process from the video here to get a complete understanding of Ultimate Member installation.

How to Create A Client Portal for WordPress with Agency Handy

Agency Handy is a client portal software that can be embedded into your WordPress website easily. If you want the power of agency management software along with an excellent client portal, here’s what you should do:

Step 1: Have a WordPress Website

Before creating a client portal, you need a WordPress website on which you can integrate Agency Handy in just a few quick steps. You don’t even need to know coding or have technical expertise—it’s that easy. 

Step 2: Create Your Service Catalog in Agency Handy

1. Add Basic Service Information

To get started with your service listing, navigate to the sidebar and select “Services,” then click on “Create Service.”

• Enter the service name and a brief description.
• Upload a cover image to represent your service.
• Choose the pricing model, either one-time or subscription-based, and select the appropriate currency.

Once these details are filled in, click Next to proceed.

2. Define Service Packages

You can create up to multiple packages for each service. For each package, you need to:

• Name the package.
• List the deliverables or items included.
• Set the subscription fee, duration, and billing cycle.

Note: If you want your clients to quickly understand your services, include a trial period by selecting “Add Trial Period.”

You can create additional packages by selecting Add More Packages. When done, click Next.

3. Configure Service Details

Once your packages are set, you’ll have options to automate specific tasks and add more service details:

• Set Default Tasks: Add tasks related to your service by clicking the “+” icon. You can continue adding tasks as needed.

Note: With Default Tasks in place, you no longer have to create similar tasks manually. It’ll be automated. 

• Portfolio: Add your previous works for respective services to show what you have done already for your clients. 
• Add FAQs: Include any frequently asked questions to help customers better understand your service. Click “Add Question” to input each question and its corresponding answer. Continue adding as necessary.

After everything is set, click Save & Continue to finalize the creation of your service.

Step 3: Embed the Service Catalog on Your Service Page

• Once you’ve set up your services, you can embed them on your WordPress site. Click on the three-dot menu to Copy iframe.

This is what their iframe code looks like:

<iframe

    style=”border:none”

    src=”https://team.orvidev.uk/catalog”

    width=”100%”

    height=”500″

  ></iframe>

Now, we’ll show an example of how it actually looks like from one of our users, Webkooker. 

• Once you hit their pricing page and subscribe, you’ll get redirected to the service catalog. 

Here’s what it looks like:

• You can either link the whole catalog or individual services. Click on the Share URL option from the top right corner and paste it where you want it on your website.

For Example, this is the URL for the Visual Design & Branding Integration:

“https://team.orvidev.uk/catalog/visual-design-and-branding-integration-1730966964185702/checkout“

Change your iframe to:

<iframe

    style=”border:none”

src=”https://team.orvidev.uk/catalog/visual-design-and-branding-integration-1730966964185702/checkout”

    width=”100%”

    height=”500″

  ></iframe>

• Edit Your Service Page or whichever page on your WordPress website you want to show the services – Go to Pages > Edit in WordPress.
• Click on the “+” button to add a new block.
• Select the “Custom HTML” block. Paste the iframe code.
• Click Preview to check the embedded content. If all looks good, Update/Publish to save the changes.

Step 4: Clients Get Onboarded to The Portal

When clients purchase a service from the service catalog, they receive an email inviting them to the client portal. You can also invite clients from the Agency Handy Admin dashboard.

Go to the CRM tab >  Clients > Create a Client. 

Add information and email address, click on “Send Invitation Email” checkbox before hitting the invite button.

Step 5: Clients Sign In & Get Started

Clients will get an email invite to the client portal with the email and password for signing up. By clicking on the Sign In button, they can directly navigate to login page.

Enter their email and password. A dashboard similar to the one below will pop up.

Services Tab:

When clients click on Services from the sidebar, they can view what the agency offers, make purchases and self-checkout. 

• Clients have to click on the Purchase button on a service of their choice, read the service detail to confirm purchase.
• A form will be loaded to gather the necessary information. Fill it up and click on Continue.
• The last step is making the payment. Enter client bank, PayPal, or Stripe details. 
• Clients then receive a notification that they purchased a service successfully.

Order Tab:

After purchasing a service, they can immediately see an order is created. Head to the order tab from the sidebar. They can see the tasks under the order, drop comments, request a task, view order details, and intake information. 

Subscriptions Tab:

It lets clients view the subscriptions they are paying for. 

Proposals Tab:

The proposals clients receive are stored here. They can check the status, issue date, service, and budget at a glance. Click on the proposal to accept or reject it. 

Tickets Tab:

If clients want to make a support request, they head over to the ticket tab and can enter a subject, describe the issue, add attachments, and set priority to the ticket. The agency will be notified of the client’s issue by clicking on submit.

Invoices Tab:

The invoices tab gives clients an overview of their billing history. They can check out which invoices are open and when they’re due to make payment. By clicking on an invoice, clients can submit payments.

Files Tab:

The file tab lets your client view the shared files. It’s neatly organized into orders and ticket folders. They can access it anytime to download deliverables or upload more files.   

Further Read: How to Create a Client Portal With Client Portal Software

3 Best WordPress Client Portal plugin for Your Website

If you’re looking to deliver a more professional experience to your client, a premium WordPress plugin is the way to go. We’ve tested and selected five of the best premium client portal plugins for WordPress. 

1. MemberPress

If your business model involves subscription-based services or restricted content for clients, MemberPress is one of the best choices. 

This plugin allows you to create a membership portal where users gain access to content based on their subscription level. It also integrates seamlessly with payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal for easy client billing. 

Whether you run an online course, coaching program, or premium content service, MemberPress makes it easy. 

Key Features of MemberPress:

• Content Restriction – Protect specific pages, downloads, or entire sections of your site.
• Subscription & Payment Management – Automate renewals and one-time payments.
• Custom Access Rules – Create different membership tiers with unique permissions.
• Integrations – Works with email marketing tools, eCommerce platforms, and learning management systems.
• Analytics & Reports – Track revenue, engagement, and subscriber growth.

Pros & Cons of MemberPress:

Pros	Cons
Perfect for businesses that want to monetize exclusive content.	Not ideal for one-time client interactions (better suited for ongoing memberships).
User-friendly setup and integration.	Higher cost compared to basic membership plugins.
Automated billing and membership management.

MemberPress Pricing:

MemberPress asks you to make upfront yearly payments, which can be a bigger commitment. 

• Starts at $179.50/year for the basic plan.
• Advanced plans go up to $399.50/year for more features.

2. WP Customer Area

WP Customer Area is a free WordPress plugin for creating web customer portals. Clients can access exclusive materials like files, pages, or custom post types, making your client management workflow simpler.

What’s great about it is that you can set customizable roles and permission to manage visibility and privacy across your website content. 

Shortcodes make layout customization easier for those who aren’t versed in coding. 

While highly customizable and secure, WP Customer Area may present a learning curve for beginners compared to Ultimate Member or Membership. 

Key Features of WP Customer Area:

• Secure Private Content: Create a protected area on your website accessible only to logged-in users, ensuring confidentiality.
• Private Pages and Files: Assign specific pages or files to individual users, making them visible only in their personal customer area.
• Customization: Tailor the plugin’s appearance to match your website’s theme and design, providing a seamless user experience.
• Modular Extensions: Enhance functionality with add-ons like Invoicing, Conversations, Advanced Ownership, and Projects to meet specific needs.

Pros & Cons of WP Customer Area:

Pros	Cons
Customizable appearance matches website design seamlessly.	Customization often needs coding knowledge
Extensive add-ons enhance plugin functionality significantly.
Developer-friendly with hooks, filters, and functions.

Pricing of WP Customer Area:

WP Customer Area is available as a free core plugin but offers premium add-ons. 

3. Restrict Content Pro 

Restrict Content Pro is a powerful membership and content restriction plugin. It’s designed to help businesses manage client access to specific content. 

Whether you want to create a gated client portal, offer subscription-based services, or restrict access to premium content, this plugin does it.

The platform is a great option for businesses that require different access levels for different clients, such as agencies, coaches, consultants, and online educators. With its multiple membership tiers, you can create custom subscription plans, each with its own set of permissions.

Key Features of Restrict Content Pro:

• Content Restriction – Easily lock specific posts, pages, or sections based on membership levels.
• Multiple Membership Levels – Create unlimited subscription tiers with different access rules.
• Seamless Payment Integration – Works with Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and more for smooth transactions.
•  Customer Dashboard – Clients can manage their accounts, subscriptions, and payments from an intuitive portal.
• Comprehensive Reporting – Access detailed analytics on revenue, membership growth, and client activity.

Pros & Cons of Restrict Content Pro:

Pros	Cons
Membership levels match your business model.	Lacks built-in project management
Simple setup, even for WordPress beginners.	Some advanced features require paid add-ons
Works well for all sizes of business.

Restrict Content Pro Pricing:

The platform offers the following annual subscription plans:

• Starts at $99/year for the basic plan, covering core features.
• The Unlimited Sites Plan costs $249/year, offering additional flexibility.

Final Words

Choosing the right client portal for WordPress can be overwhelming. Focus on what matters—ease of use, security, and compatibility with your existing tools. A smooth setup ensures better workflow and a seamless client experience.

Look for a solution that goes beyond basic client access. A good portal should help you manage projects, track payments, and improve communication. Investing in the right tool saves time and keeps everything organized.

Set it up, customize it, and start using it. A well-built client portal makes your business more efficient and keeps clients engaged.

FAQs

Can I create a client portal in WordPress without a plugin?

Yes, you can create a simple client portal using Agency Handy, as discussed earlier. 

How secure are WordPress client portals?

WordPress client portals can be highly secure if best practices are followed, such as SSL encryption, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and secure hosting. Many plugins also offer role-based access and encryption for additional security.

Can I integrate a WordPress client portal with WooCommerce?

Yes, you can set up a WooCommerce client portal by integrating Memberships and MemberPress seamlessly with WooCommerce. It allows businesses to restrict content, manage memberships, and provide exclusive access to customers based on their purchases.

How can I customize the appearance of my client portal?

Most premium plugins allow full customization through branding settings, page builders like Elementor, or CSS customization. White-label solutions, like Clinked and SuiteDash, let you remove third-party branding and match your company’s identity.

Can I charge clients for access to my WordPress client portal?

Yes, you can monetize your portal by offering membership plans, gated content, or subscription-based access. Plugins like Restrict Content Pro and MemberPress allow you to create paid plans with automated billing and recurring payments.