Deploying Your Nonprofit's Website on Azure (Part 2)

In Part 1 of our guide, we covered the initial steps to deploy your WordPress site to Azure. Here is the link to the first guide: Deploying Your Nonprofit's Website on Azure (Part 1) | Microsoft Community Hub. Now, in Part 2, we'll dive into how to access your WordPress site and configure the backend to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Accessing Your WordPress Site

Once your WordPress site is set up on Azure, accessing it is straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Your Site URL: Open your web browser and go to the URL of your WordPress site. If you are unsure on how to access the website url, go back to the Azure portal using this link. Home - Microsoft Azure 
2. Click on resource groups: Then select the name of the resource groups that was deployed. 

    

3. Click on the App service resource: Click on the name of the app service that was deployed.

    

   

    

4. Select the URL of your website: Click on the link that shows default domain. Once it is clicked, you will be directed to your website.

   

    

5. Log In to the Admin Dashboard: To access the backend, append /wp-admin to your site URL (e.g., https://<your-site-name>.azurewebsites.net/wp-admin). Enter the admin username and password you created during the setup process.
6. Explore the Dashboard: Once logged in, you'll be taken to the WordPress admin dashboard. This is where you can manage your site's content, settings, and plugins.

Configuring the Backend

The WordPress admin dashboard, also known as the backend, is the control center for your website. Here's how to configure it:

1. Customize the Dashboard: The dashboard provides an overview of your site's activity. You can customize it by adding or removing widgets to suit your needs. This helps you keep track of important metrics and updates.
   
   

    

2. Manage Posts and Pages: Use the "Posts" and "Pages" sections to create and manage your site's content. You can add new posts, edit existing ones, and organize them into categories and tags.
   
   

    

3. Install and Configure Plugins: Plugins extend the functionality of your WordPress site. To install a plugin, go to the "Plugins" section, click "Add New," and search for the plugin you need. Once installed, configure the plugin settings as required.
   
   

    

4. Customize Themes: The "Appearance" section allows you to customize your site's look and feel. You can choose a theme, customize it, and even add custom CSS for more advanced styling.

    

5. Set Up Menus: In the "Appearance" section, you can also create and manage menus. This helps you organize your site's navigation and improve user experience.
   
   

    

6. Configure Settings: The "Settings" section is where you can configure various aspects of your site, such as general settings, writing settings, reading settings, and more. Make sure to review and adjust these settings to match your nonprofit's needs.
   
   

    

Security and Maintenance

Ensuring the security and smooth operation of your WordPress site is crucial. Here are some tips:

1. Regular Updates: Keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date to protect against security vulnerabilities.
2. Backup Your Site: Regularly back up your site to prevent data loss.
3. Monitor Performance: Use Analytics, site health and Azure Monitor to track your site's performance and identify any issues.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively access and configure the backend of your WordPress site on Azure. This will ensure that your nonprofit's website runs smoothly, remains secure, and provides a great user experience. Follow this next guide on how to add your own custom domain: Deploying Your Nonprofit's Website on Azure (Part 3) | Microsoft Community Hub.