Lesson 16: How to Protect WordPress Menu Items with MemberPress

In a previous lesson, we mentioned the functionality of hiding and displaying specific navigation menu items based on user login status. Now, we’ll show you exactly how that’s done using the If-Menu plugin. 

In this Video…

Discover how to effectively restrict access to specific menu items on your website, ensuring that only authorized members can access premium content.

As an example, we'll demonstrate how you can hide the member account page, then make it visible once a member has logged in.

How to Protect WordPress Menu Items with the If-Menu Plugin

Step 1: Install the If-Menu by going to WordPress > Plugins > Add New > and Search “If-Menu Visibility Control”:

If-Menu WordPress plugin

Click to “Install” and “Activate”.

Step 2: Go to WordPress > Appearance > Menus

Just as we added a “Log in” link to our menu, now we’ll add and protect a “Member Account” link.

Locate your “Account” page in the Pages > View All column. Then click the Add to Menu button:

Drag and drop Account menu item

Feel free to drag and drop the newly added Account tab within the Menu structure. 

Step 3: Enable Visibility Rules

Click the drop-down arrow on the Account tab and check the “Enable visibility rules” box. 

This will offer you additional protection options to Show or Hide the Account Menu item based on the condition you choose here:

Show or Hide visibility rules per membership

We have selected to Show the Account menu item when an active member has logged into their account. 

By clicking the + icon, you can add additional conditions, such as Showing the Account menu item when an active member AND Administer (You) has logged into their account:

Show or Hide visibility rules added admin view

Step 4: Click the “Save Menu” button.