How to Create Author & Reader Dashboards in WordPress

In this in‑depth tutorial, Osamu Wakabayashi shows how to build a complete multi‑role dashboard system in WordPress for both authors and readers. Using JetEngine, JetFormBuilder, Profile Builder, Data Stores, and the Formless Actions Endpoints addon, you’ll create custom registration flows, author dashboards, admin approval tools, and reader‑side favorites — all on the frontend. JetEngine provides the dynamic data layer (custom post types, user meta, queries, listings, view counters), while JetFormBuilder powers the forms and actions for registration, password reset, post submission, status changes, and approvals. ✅ What you'll build • Author registration with email verification and password reset forms • An author dashboard with posts grouped by status (Published, Pending, Draft) • Frontend article submission, edit, draft, and delete workflows with JetFormBuilder • Admin approval and rejection buttons powered by Formless Actions Endpoints • Reader dashboards with browsable articles and “favorite” saving using Data Stores • Listings that show view counts and sort posts by popularity 💬 Add messaging between authors, readers, and admins You can extend this system with JetMessenger to let readers talk to authors and admins directly inside their dashboards. ► Get JetMessenger: https://out.crocoblock.com/4wN9mD1 ____________ 📄 Helpful docs for this build Custom user registration form with JetFormBuilder: https://out.crocoblock.com/4ijwwJw How to create user account pages with different dashboard structures: https://out.crocoblock.com/4kDm9Sl Frontend submission & approval with Formless Actions Endpoints: https://out.crocoblock.com/4bR9YNU Profile Builder overview: https://out.crocoblock.com/4bKVijm Data Stores module overview (favorites, saved items): https://out.crocoblock.com/4hrNDaJ ----------------------- Q: Do authors still need to use the WordPress admin? A: No. With JetEngine, JetFormBuilder, and Profile Builder you can give authors everything they need on the frontend (submit, edit, draft, delete, status‑based lists), while admins keep full control over approvals. Q: How are approvals and rejections handled? A: JetFormBuilder with Formless Actions Endpoints lets admin buttons (Approve/Reject) trigger form actions that update post statuses, send notifications, and keep the workflow inside WordPress. Q: How do readers save favorite articles? A: Favorites are powered by JetEngine Data Stores. Reader dashboards use a custom query to pull items from the Data Store and display them in a dedicated Favorites listing. Q: Is this workflow compatible with Elementor, Gutenberg, or Bricks? A: Yes. Loops and forms can be used with Elementor widgets, Gutenberg blocks, or Bricks templates, while the data layer (post types, user fields, Data Stores, queries) lives in JetEngine. Q: How can I add direct communication between users? A: Combine this dashboard setup with JetMessenger to let authors, readers, and admins exchange private messages linked to their accounts and articles. _______ ► TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 01:18 Requirements Author Registration 02:16 User Registration with Email Verification 11:04 Set New Password Form with JetFormBuilder Author Account & Dashboard 14:43 Article Submission Form 17:38 Admin Notification on Submission 18:32 Author Notification on Submission 19:41 Displaying Submission Results Profile Builder Dashboard 22:50 Using Profile Builder 25:28 Author Dashboard (Articles by Status) 26:35 Queries for Article Categories (Published, Waiting, Draft) 30:57 Author & Admin Listing Page 34:09 JetTabs Plugin for Tabbed Pages 43:06 Displaying Post View Count 46:18 Sorting Articles by View Count Article Management 48:16 Edit Button for Articles 59:10 Draft Button with JetFormBuilder 1:06:10 Delete Button with JetFormBuilder Admin Article Approval/Reject 1:11:36 Reject Button with JetFormBuilder 1:20:10 Approve Button with JetFormBuilder Readers' Accounts & Dashboard 1:28:39 Adding "Reader" Role 1:29:30 Readers' Dashboard (Browse Articles) 1:32:25 Storing Favourite Articles 1:33:14 "Add Favourite" Link 1:35:14 Favourite Articles Listing Template 1:36:45 Custom Query for Favourite Articles 1:37:43 Favourite Page Template 1:40:21 Wrap Up --------------- ► Get JetEngine: https://out.crocoblock.com/4ib9Vi9 ► Get JetFormBuilder: https://out.crocoblock.com/4bICrFB ► Choose Crocoblock subscription: https://out.crocoblock.com/41zNNa6 Follow Zen Ideas for more helpful content: ► @osamu_wakabayashi ► https://zenideas.ca/ #JetEngine #JetFormBuilder #UserDashboard #DataStores #WordPress #Crocoblock Join us here: ► FB Community:   / crocoblockcommunity   ► Discord Community:   / discord   ► Facebook:   / crocoblock   ► Twitter:   / mrcrocoblock   ► Instagram:   / crocoblock   ► LinkedIn:   / crocoblock