The WordPress Dashboard can be a little daunting to the first time user.  Below is a quick overview:

The Dashboard

The Dashboard Explained

1. Dashboard Title – This is where you will see the name of the site (upper left in the top horizontal menu bar).  If you click on your site name, you’ll link to the front end of your website.
2. Login Name – On the right-hand side of that same horizontal menu bar is the name of the user that is logged into the dashboard.  Hovering over your name brings up a popup window – this is where you can log out of the dashboard.
3. WordPress Main Menu – The left sidebar menu is the WordPress main menu.  This is where you’ll create Pages or Posts, access the Media Library, see the comments made on your Posts and Pages, access Widgets and Themes under Appearance, add Plugins to your website, see who is a User on your website and more.
4. Screen Options – click on this button and a window will dropdown.  In this window, you have the opportunity to choose what you see on the Dashboard.  Screen Options is also available on Pages, Posts, Media  Library, Plugins, etc.
   1. Clicking the Help link will drop down a smaller window where you can get help related to the page you are on.
5. Welcome to WordPress – this is quick links to customize your site (blue button), write a blog post, manage widgets and more.
6. At a Glance will quickly tell you how many Posts and Pages you have on your website.
7. Activity will list your recently published Posts.
8. Quick Draft – A quick place to start drafting that next post.
9. WordPress Events and News will include upcoming WordPress Meetups, recent WordPress updates, WordCamps and other news.
10. WordPress Version – you can see which version of WordPress you’re running in the footer of the dashboard. This information is helpful when you’re considering adding a plugin.  Remember to make sure new plugins are compatible with your version of WordPress.  Note:  You should always be updated to the most current version of WordPress.
    • On the left side of the footer, there is a link to WordPress.com