Your First Login

So you’ve signed up for your Badass Network blog—congrats! Now comes the fun part: actually logging in and seeing what you’ve got to work with.

Your first login takes you straight to the WordPress dashboard, which is basically mission control for your entire blog. We’ll walk you through finding the login page, getting into your dashboard, and understanding what you’re looking at once you’re inside.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into your first login, make sure you’ve got:

• Your Badass Network account created and verified (check your email if you haven’t done this yet)
• Your username or email address handy
• The password you set during signup
• A modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge all work great)

No WordPress experience needed. We’re starting from scratch here.

Finding Your Login Page

Here’s the thing: there are actually a few different ways to reach your blog’s login page. Let’s cover the main ones so you can pick whichever feels easiest.

Option 1: Direct Login URL

The most straightforward way? Just go directly to your blog’s login URL. It follows this pattern:

badassnetwork.com/yourusername/wp-admin

Replace “yourusername” with your actual username. So if your username is sarah-jones, you’d visit:

badassnetwork.com/sarah-jones/wp-admin

Option 2: Main Badass Network Login

You can also use the main Badass Network login page at badassnetwork.com/login. This works for everyone regardless of your username, and it’ll redirect you to your specific blog dashboard after you log in.

Some people prefer this because it’s easier to remember than their specific URL. Totally up to you.

Option 3: Adding /wp-admin to Your Blog URL

If you’re already on your blog (maybe you bookmarked it or someone shared your blog link), just add /wp-admin to the end of your blog URL. For example:

badassnetwork.com/yourusername → badassnetwork.com/yourusername/wp-admin

WordPress automatically redirects you to the login page if you’re not already logged in. Pretty convenient.

Your First Login (Step-by-Step)

Okay, let’s actually log in. This is where it gets real.

What You’ll See: Your WordPress Dashboard

Boom. You’re in. Welcome to your WordPress dashboard.

The first time you see this, it might feel like a lot. There’s a left sidebar packed with menu options, various boxes (called “widgets”) in the main area, and maybe a welcome message at the top. Don’t worry—it’s more intuitive than it looks.

Let’s break down what you’re actually seeing here.

The Left Sidebar (Your Main Navigation)

This is your command center. Everything you’ll ever need to do on your blog is accessible from this menu. Here are the main sections:

• Dashboard → Takes you to this homepage view. It’s basically an overview of your blog’s activity and quick shortcuts to common tasks.
• Posts → Where you’ll spend most of your time. This is where you create, edit, and manage your blog posts. Click it and you’ll see options like “All Posts,” “Add New,” “Categories,” and “Tags.”
• Media → Your library for images, videos, and other files you upload. Think of it like your blog’s photo album.
• Pages → Similar to Posts, but for static pages like “About” or “Contact.” We’ll get into the difference between posts and pages in another tutorial.
• Comments → Manage reader comments on your blog posts. You can approve, reply to, or delete comments from here.
• Appearance → This is where the magic happens for customizing your blog’s look. You can change colors, fonts, layouts, widgets, and more through the theme customizer.
• Users → Manage who has access to your blog. If you’re working solo, you probably won’t need this much. But if you’re collaborating with others, this is where you’d add contributors or editors.
• Settings → Configure the nuts and bolts of your blog—title, tagline, timezone, permalink structure, discussion settings, and more. You’ll definitely want to explore this section early on.

Dashboard Widgets (The Main Area)

In the center of your screen, you’ll see several boxes or “widgets.” These give you quick information about your blog’s status and activity. Typical widgets include:

• Welcome Panel → A friendly message with quick links to customize your site, write your first post, or view your blog. Some people find this helpful; others dismiss it immediately. Up to you.
• Quick Draft → Lets you jot down a quick idea for a blog post without going through the full “Add New Post” process. Honestly, most people don’t use this much, but it’s there if you want it.
• At a Glance → Shows you how many posts, pages, and comments you have. It’s a quick snapshot of your blog’s content.
• Activity → Displays recent posts you’ve published and recent comments from readers. Useful once you’ve got some content up.
• WordPress Events and News → Updates from the WordPress community about events, releases, and news. You can pretty much ignore this unless you’re really into WordPress as a platform.

Don’t like the layout? You can rearrange these widgets by clicking and dragging them around. You can also hide ones you don’t use by clicking “Screen Options” at the top-right of the page and unchecking the boxes for widgets you don’t want to see.

The Admin Bar (Top of the Screen)

At the very top of your dashboard, there’s a dark bar that spans the width of the screen. This is called the Admin Bar, and it gives you quick access to common tasks:

• Badass Network logo: Click it to visit the main Badass Network site
• Your blog name: Click to view your blog’s front-end (what visitors see)
• New: Quick links to create a new post, page, user, or media file
• Your profile icon: Access your profile settings or log out

The Admin Bar also shows up when you’re viewing your blog’s public pages (if you’re logged in), which makes it super convenient to jump back to the dashboard or edit a post you’re looking at.

What to Do After Your First Login

You’re logged in. Dashboard looks… like a lot. Now what?

Here’s what we’d recommend tackling first, roughly in this order:

Common First Login Questions

Tips for Smooth Login Management

• Bookmark Your Dashboard — Seriously. Add badassnetwork.com/yourusername/wp-admin to your browser’s bookmarks bar. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re logging in for the 50th time this month.
• Use a Password Manager — If you’re not already using a tool like 1Password, LastPass, or Bitwarden, now’s the time to start. They generate strong passwords, store them securely, and auto-fill login forms. Makes life so much easier.
• Check “Remember Me” on Your Personal Devices — Typing your password every single time gets old fast. On devices you control (your laptop, your phone), go ahead and check that box. Just remember to log out if you’re ever using a friend’s computer or a library machine.
• Keep Your Email Accessible — Your registered email is how you’ll reset your password if you ever forget it. Make sure it’s an email account you actually check and have long-term access to.
• Log Out When You’re Done (On Shared Computers) — If you’re on a public or shared device, always click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Log Out when you finish working. This protects your blog from unauthorized access.

Troubleshooting First Login Issues

What You’ve Accomplished

You’ve successfully logged into your Badass Network blog for the first time and gotten familiar with the WordPress dashboard. You know how to find your login page, enter your credentials, and navigate the main admin interface.

Next up: Start customizing your blog’s appearance and creating your first real content. The dashboard is your launchpad—everything you need to build your blog is right here.