Allowing users to submit posts can be very beneficial. It helps in creating more content. It also engages your audience. Follow these steps to enable user submissions on your WordPress site.

Step 1: Install a Plugin

Plugins make WordPress very flexible. They add extra features to your site. Here are some popular plugins for user submissions:

• WPForms: Easy to use form builder.
• User Submitted Posts: Simple and effective.
• Gravity Forms: Powerful and customizable.

We will use WPForms for this guide.

Step 2: Set Up WPForms

After installing WPForms, you need to set it up. Follow these steps:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to WPForms and click on “Add New”.
3. Choose the “Blog Post Submission Form” template.
4. Customize the form as per your needs.
5. Save the form.

Step 3: Add the Form to Your Site

Now, you need to add this form to your site. This can be done in two ways:

• Using a shortcode.
• Using the WPForms widget.

To use a shortcode:

1. Copy the shortcode from the form settings.
2. Paste it into the page or post where you want the form.

To use the widget:

1. Go to Appearance > Widgets.
2. Drag the WPForms widget to your desired widget area.
3. Select your form from the dropdown menu.

Step 4: Moderate User Submissions

It is important to moderate user submissions. This ensures quality content. Follow these steps to moderate submissions:

1. Go to WPForms > Entries.
2. Review the submitted posts.
3. Edit if necessary.
4. Publish the post if it meets your standards.

Step 5: Notify Users

Notify users when their post is published. This makes them feel appreciated. You can set up email notifications in WPForms:

1. Go to your form settings.
2. Navigate to Notifications.
3. Set up an email template for user notifications.
4. Save the settings.

Step 6: Encourage User Participation

Encourage users to submit posts. Here are some tips:

• Promote the submission form on social media.
• Offer incentives like guest author profiles.
• Feature user submissions on your homepage.
• Send regular reminders to your email list.

Credit: wedevs.com

Benefits of Allowing User Submissions

There are many benefits to allowing user submissions:

• More Content: More posts mean more content for your site.
• Engagement: Users feel more connected to your site.
• Diversity: Different perspectives make your content richer.
• SEO: More content can improve your site’s SEO.

Things to Consider

Here are some things to consider when allowing user submissions:

• Quality: Ensure that the content is high-quality.
• Guidelines: Provide clear guidelines for submissions.
• Security: Protect your site from spam and malicious content.
• Legal: Make sure the content does not violate any laws.

Credit: www.wpbeginner.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can Users Submit Posts On WordPress?

Users can submit posts using plugins like WPForms or User Submitted Posts.

What Plugins Allow User Post Submissions?

WPForms, User Submitted Posts, and Frontend Publishing Pro allow user post submissions.

Do User-submitted Posts Need Approval?

Yes, you can set posts to require admin approval before publishing.

Can Guest Users Submit Posts?

Yes, some plugins allow guest users to submit posts without registration.

Conclusion

Allowing users to submit posts can be very beneficial. It helps in creating more content and engaging your audience. Follow the steps mentioned in this guide to set up user submissions on your WordPress site. Remember to moderate the submissions and notify users when their posts are published. Encourage user participation to keep your site dynamic and interesting.