I Want to Update My Website — What Are My Options?
If you would like changes made to your WordPress website, there are a few different ways we can handle this. The quickest and safest option for most clients is to request the changes through our visual website revision tool, rather than needing full backend access.
Important: We do not normally grant full WordPress admin access unless it is genuinely necessary. This is not to block you from your own website — it is to protect the site and keep responsibility clear. If multiple people make backend changes, it can become difficult to know who is responsible if something breaks.
Our Recommended Option: Request Changes Visually
For most website updates, the safest and fastest way to work is for us to activate a visual revision tool on your website. This allows you to click on the exact part of the website you want changed, leave a comment, and upload any images, videos, wording, or files needed for the update.
Comment Exactly Where Needed
Click on the part of the page you want changed and leave your instructions in context.
Upload Files in the Right Place
Add images, videos, documents, screenshots or wording directly to the relevant task.
Tasks Go Straight to Our Team
Each request is turned into a task so our team can review it, quote it if needed, and complete the update properly.
Example: you can comment directly on the part of the website you want changed, upload files, and create clear tasks for our team.
How Website Update Requests Are Charged
Managed Hosting Only
If your package includes managed hosting but does not include support time, we will review the requested changes and send you a quote based on the time required.
Managed Hosting + Support Time
If your package includes website support time, eligible updates will be handled within your included support time. If the request is outside your available support time or outside the scope of your support package, we will quote before carrying out the work.
No surprise invoices: We do not simply start the clock and send an invoice afterwards. If work needs to be charged separately, we quote in advance and wait for approval before completing the work.
Why This Is Our Preferred Way of Working
It Is Faster
You can show us exactly what needs changing, on the exact part of the page, without needing long email threads or unclear screenshots.
It Reduces Mistakes
Because the comment is attached to the exact part of the website, there is less chance of misunderstanding what you want updated.
It Keeps the Website Safer
Our team makes the changes using the correct tools, backups, processes and checks, which reduces the risk of accidental damage.
It Keeps Responsibility Clear
If only our team is making technical changes, it is much clearer who is responsible for the website and any fixes that may be needed.
What If You Still Need Backend Access?
There are situations where backend access may be appropriate, but we recommend using the lowest level of access needed for the job. This is known as giving the right access for the task, rather than giving full admin access by default.
Please note: If you or another third party make changes in the backend, responsibility for fixes may change. If something breaks after non-FATGURU changes are made, investigation and repair work may be chargeable.
| Access Level | What It Usually Allows | Best For | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Revision Tool | Request changes by clicking on the website, adding comments, and uploading files. | Most content, image, wording and layout update requests. | Lowest |
| Subscriber | Basic login access. Usually only allows the user to manage their own profile. | Rarely needed for normal client website updates. | Very low |
| Contributor | Can usually write and edit their own draft posts, but cannot publish them. | Draft blog content that our team reviews before publishing. | Low |
| Author | Can usually create, edit and publish their own posts, and upload media. | Clients who regularly publish their own blog posts or news updates. | Medium |
| Editor | Can usually edit and publish pages and posts, including content created by others. | Clients who need regular content control but do not need technical site settings. | Medium to high |
| Shop Manager | For ecommerce websites, this can usually manage products, orders, coupons and store information. | Clients managing products and orders on a WooCommerce website. | Medium to high |
| Administrator | Full website control, including users, plugins, themes, settings, updates and technical areas. | Only where absolutely necessary and agreed in advance. | Highest |
Why We Avoid Giving Full Administrator Access by Default
WordPress administrator access gives full control of the website. This can include installing or deleting plugins, changing themes, editing users, altering settings, changing SEO tools, editing forms, changing tracking scripts, and making updates that affect the whole site.
Full Admin Access Can Affect
- Website layout and design.
- Forms, enquiries and email delivery.
- SEO settings and search visibility.
- Tracking, analytics and advertising conversion tracking.
- Plugin, theme and WordPress updates.
- Website speed, security and stability.
- Customer, order or enquiry data where applicable.
- Who is responsible if the website breaks or behaves unexpectedly.
We are not trying to stop you accessing your website. We are trying to make sure the right person has the right level of access for the right reason, so your site stays secure and responsibility remains clear.
Which Option Should You Choose?
I Want Some Text, Images, Videos or Layouts Changed
Use the visual revision tool. This is the best option for most website update requests.
I Want to Send Blog Drafts or News Updates
Ask us whether Contributor, Author or Editor access is appropriate, depending on whether you need to draft, upload or publish content yourself.
I Need to Manage Products or Orders
If your site has ecommerce functionality, Shop Manager access may be suitable.
I Need Full Technical Control
Administrator access may be considered where genuinely necessary, but we will normally discuss the responsibility, risks and support implications first.
Quick Summary
- The safest option is to request changes through our visual revision tool.
- You can comment exactly where changes are needed.
- You can upload images, videos and files directly with the request.
- Our system creates tasks for our team to complete the updates.
- Managed hosting-only clients receive a quote before chargeable work is carried out.
- Clients with managed hosting and support time packages have eligible updates handled within their included support time.
- If work falls outside included support time, we quote first for approval.
- We do not start the clock and send a surprise invoice afterwards.
- Full admin access is only provided where genuinely necessary.
- If third parties make backend changes, responsibility for fixes may change.
How to Request Website Changes
Ask Us to Activate the Revision Tool
Contact us and ask for the website revision tool to be activated on your website.
Click Where You Want Changes Made
Visit the page you want updated, click on the relevant area, and add your comment.
Upload Any Files or Wording
Attach the images, videos, copy, screenshots or documents needed for the update.
We Review and Confirm
If the work is included in your support package, we will handle it within the available support time. If it needs quoting, we will confirm the cost before starting.
Website Access FAQs
Can I have WordPress admin access?
Sometimes, but not by default. Full administrator access gives complete control of the website and can affect security, performance, SEO, tracking, forms and responsibility for fixes. We will usually recommend a safer access level first.
Why don’t you give every client full admin access?
Because full admin access can change who is responsible if something breaks. If multiple people or third parties make backend changes, it becomes harder to diagnose issues and confirm who caused them.
What is the safest way to request website edits?
The safest way is to use our visual revision tool. You can click exactly where you want a change, add instructions, and upload files. Our team then completes the updates.
Will I be charged for website updates?
It depends on your package. Managed hosting-only clients are quoted for update work. Clients with managed hosting and support time packages may have eligible updates included within their support time. If work is outside the package or available support time, we quote first for approval.
Will you start work and invoice me afterwards?
No. If a request is chargeable, we quote in advance and wait for approval before doing the work.
Can I update blog posts myself?
Yes, in many cases. Depending on what you need to do, Contributor, Author or Editor access may be suitable.
Need Website Updates?
The quickest and safest way to request changes is to ask us to activate the visual revision tool on your website. You can then mark up the page, upload files, and our team will handle the update properly.
Request Website UpdatesNote: Access levels can vary depending on your website setup, plugins and ecommerce functionality. We will advise on the safest suitable access level based on what you need to do.