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04 Aug, 2009

Custom WordPress Login

Posted by: drivelocity In: Blogging

A new site of mine will require authors to login, but rather than having them see the normal WordPress logo on the login page, I replaced it with my own. This is also a good idea if you’re building a site for a client, so you can give them their own branded login page. It’s easy and quick, but shows you paid attention to details.

Here is an example:

Before:

After:

Here is how you do it:

  1. Backup yoursite.com/wp-admin/images/logo-login.gif
  2. Create your logo image with transparent background or match background color (#f9f9f9)
  3. Save as logo-login.gif and overwrite existing file
  4. Backup yoursite.com/wp-login.php
  5. Change (’login_headerurl’, ‘http://wordpress.org/’); to (’login_headerurl’, ‘http://yoursite.com/’);
  6. Save wp-login.php and overwrite existing file

That’s all it takes. If you’d rather use a plugin, there are some available to help you customize your login page.

UPDATE:

When you upgrade WordPress, you will need to do this again. Upgrading to the latest version, 2.8.4 in this case, overwrote the files with the originals.

12 Responses to "Custom WordPress Login"

1 | aery

August 11th, 2009 at 5:11 am

That’s cool.

However it would be much beneficial for wordpress MU users where different users have different screens.
.-= aery´s last blog ..Top 5 Customized Google Search Engines with Black Background =-.

2 | used tires

August 16th, 2009 at 6:14 pm

This is a really awesome idea for sure! Like you suggest for a client, that would be really neat for them to see their own logo when they log-in and feel more comfortable, especially if they are not computer savy. My only concern and question would be… if they upgrade to a newer wordpress version will it replace the photo with the default wordpress logo?

Till then,

Jean

3 | drivelocity

August 17th, 2009 at 8:01 am

Jean, I’m not sure, but I’ll find out when I upgrade… I think it changed for 2.7 or thereabouts…

4 | Vaillant Pozna?

August 20th, 2009 at 12:11 am

I fully agree this is one of those small things that helps to build a proper reputation for your site and for yourself. Sometimes the secret of success lies in details, good that you are thinking about every small piece of this puzzle. I guess that you often think about details and that is very good! I’m also trying to do that but does not always succeed with that ;)

5 | Sourav

August 22nd, 2009 at 12:01 am

wow thats a wonderful and so easy tutorial about WP. I want to try it but I’m using free WP….I think I can’t apply in free WP.
Anyway nice site with nice posts.

Thanks

6 | Penny Stock Guy

August 22nd, 2009 at 10:23 am

I use wordpress for my stock sites. This will help a lot to dress up the page, instead of the default. I always hated that plain login page that looks so generic.
.-= Penny Stock Guy´s last blog ..SNVP and ULU stocks to watch =-.

7 | Brooke Campbell

August 23rd, 2009 at 9:35 pm

Wow, what a cool idea for blog networks. I’m going to recommend this to one of my clients who runs a big Wordpress site.
.-= Brooke Campbell´s last blog ..Fenphedra and Fen 72 Diet Pill Combo =-.

8 | Amy

October 4th, 2009 at 4:48 pm

Great idea, especially for someone like me who has multiple websites. Makes things easier at a glance to know which page I’m logging into.

9 | Ned Carey

November 4th, 2009 at 12:29 am

That is really cool. Of course in my situation I would be the only one that sees it but it is still a cool idea.

I guess it is kind of like a favicon – one of those little details that helps build your brand.

10 | Savona

November 13th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

Can login button be changed somehow, too?

11 | drivelocity

November 14th, 2009 at 12:30 am

Savona, Probably… haven’t tried.

12 | David the T-Shirt Designer

May 19th, 2010 at 1:55 pm

I assume you are going to have to re-follow the steps each time a major Wordpress upgrade occurs, but well worth it! It is one of many key elements that is moving WordPress away from just a Blog CMS to a viable business CMS… Thank you very much!

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