Accessed via the “Messaging” tab, the Messaging Module provides a complete internal messaging system that enables WordPress users to communicate securely within their site.
From the settings screen you have global settings for emails, the dashboard widget and admin bar notice.
“Allow email notifications” will allow users to optionally set their message to also be sent by email. By default messages are only sent internally, on a per message basis a user can tick for it to be sent by email in case of urgency. With allow disabled no user, even an admin, can set a message to be send by email.
“Enable dashboard widget” lets users add the widget to their dashboard. An example is shown below.
As not every user pays attention to the dashboard the “Display admin bar notifications” will add a “X Message” notice to the top for them to see.
Here is an example of the dashboard widget. A count of unread / urgent / draft messages is shown, along with the recently read (by other users) messages.
Messaging dashboard widget
The Messaging Inbox provides a simple view of your messages and if they are marked as important (red circle).
When creating a new message it can be sent to one or more users, or all users in a Role. This is a timer saver when users may change month by month as it saves missing any one out from an important reminder.
Key Features
- User Messaging: Send messages to individual users or entire user roles
- Email Notifications: Optional email alerts when new messages arrive
- Priority Messages: Mark important messages as high priority
- Draft System: Save messages as drafts before sending
- Archive & Search: Organize and find messages easily
- Multisite Support: Full network messaging capabilities
- Admin Bar Alerts: Unread message count in the admin bar
- Dashboard Widget: Message summary on the dashboard
Messaging Interface
The messaging system appears as a Messages menu in the WordPress admin with:
- Inbox – Received messages
- Sent – Messages you’ve sent
- Drafts – Saved draft messages
- Archived – Archived conversations
- New Message – Compose new messages
💡 Pro Tip: Use role-based messaging to send announcements to all Administrators, Editors, or other user roles at once!
