How to Hand Off a WordPress Site to a Client

Building a WordPress site is the easy part. Handing it off so the client can actually manage it without calling you every week is the hard part. Most developers skip this step and end up becoming unpaid support staff. Here is my handoff process.

Why Handoff Matters

The whole point of using WordPress is client independence. If the client cannot update their own content, you might as well have built a static site. A proper handoff means the client can manage their site confidently and only calls you for actual development work.

The Handoff Checklist

1. Admin Credentials and Access

Create a dedicated admin account for the client. Never share your developer account.

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Client admin account:
- Username: client-name-admin
- Role: Administrator
- Email: client's business email
- Password: generated, shared securely

2. Content Editing Guide

Write a simple guide (one page, not ten) covering:

How to create and edit pages
How to add blog posts with featured images
How to manage the navigation menu
How to update the footer contact information

Use screenshots. Clients remember visuals better than text instructions.

3. Plugin Documentation

List every installed plugin and explain why it is there:

| Plugin | Purpose | Client Action | |--------|---------|---------------| | Yoast SEO | Search engine optimization | Edit SEO titles/descriptions per page | | Contact Form 7 | Contact form | View submissions in dashboard | | UpdraftPlus | Backups | Automatic, no action needed | | Wordfence | Security | Automatic, no action needed |

4. Backup Strategy

Set up automated backups before handoff. Use UpdraftPlus or a similar plugin that stores backups in cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, S3). Test the restore process at least once before handing off.

5. The 'What to Never Touch' List

Explicitly tell clients what not to modify:

Do not install new plugins without asking
Do not edit theme files (use the Customizer instead)
Do not change permalink settings after launch
Do not update WordPress core or plugins without a backup

The Recorded Walkthrough

The most effective handoff tool is a 10-minute screen recording walking through the admin dashboard. Show the client exactly how to do the five things they will do most often. They will rewatch this video every time they forget a step. Use Loom or a simple screen recorder.

Post-Handoff Support

Define your support terms clearly:

First 30 days: unlimited questions via email
After 30 days: support billed hourly
Emergency fixes (site down): separate SLA if needed

A clear support boundary prevents scope creep and sets professional expectations.

See the WordPress User Documentation for the official user guides you can share with clients.