How to White Label WordPress? Rebrand Your Website

Your clients see “Powered by WordPress” every time they log in—and it makes your agency look like you’re just reselling templates. That generic branding undermines your expertise, leaving clients wondering if they’re even getting a custom solution or not.

Additionally, complex dashboards with unnecessary menus confuse them, leading to more support calls and issues. But worry not; there’s a cleaner way. And that is white labeling WordPress.

White labeling lets you replace default branding with your own, creating a professional experience that builds trust. In this blog, we’ll learn how you can white label your WordPress website with a few simple steps. Plus, we’ll cover the best practices followed by WordPress development services providers for white labeling your site.

What Does White Labeling Mean for a Website?

White labeling lets you rebrand a product or service as your own. For websites, it means taking a platform (like WordPress) and customizing it so clients see your brand, not the original creators. Here is how white labeling works in simple words:

• You use a pre-built website solution (like WordPress).
• Remove logos, labels, and branding from the original provider.
• Replace them with your client’s (or your own) branding.

Now you might have a question: is white labeling legal? Yes, as long as you follow licensing rules (e.g., WordPress is open-source). Some premium plugins/themes may require extra permissions.

Benefits of White Labeling WordPress

White labeling WordPress helps agencies and businesses build a professional website without starting from scratch. Here’s why it’s worth doing:

• Builds Trust with Clients: Clients see your brand—not WordPress or third-party tools. This makes your agency look more professional and in control.
  
• Saves Time & Effort: No need to code a custom CMS. Just rebrand an existing WordPress setup and deliver faster.
  
• More Consistent Branding: Custom logos, colors, and dashboard styles keep everything aligned with your (or your client’s) brand identity.
  
• Better Client Experience: A clean, branded dashboard (without confusing WordPress menus) makes it easier for clients to manage their site.
  
• Increases Perceived Value: Clients won’t know you used WordPress—they’ll think you built a custom solution, which can justify higher pricing.

White labeling makes WordPress work for you—saving time and helping you stand out. It’s a smart move for anyone building a website.

How to White Label a WordPress Website?

Want to make WordPress look like your own branded platform? White labeling lets you customize everything from the login screen to the admin dashboard. Here’s how to do it right.

1. Understand What You Can White Label

First things first: figure out what part of WordPress you want to customize. You’ve got options:

• The login page (where users log in).
  
• The admin dashboard (the backend interface).
  
• Themes or plugins (if you’re selling or using custom ones).
  
• Even hosting services, if you’re offering that.

For now, let’s focus on the most common parts: the login page and admin dashboard.

2. Install a White Label Plugin

To make white labeling easier, use a plugin. There are some great tools out there that handle most of the heavy lifting for you. My top picks are:

• White Label CMS: Simple and effective.
  
• Branda: Super powerful, great for agencies.

Now, install the plugin you prefer to use. Here is how you can do that:

Step 1: Log in to your WordPress site.

Step 2: Go to the WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.

Step 3: Search for the plugin you want (e.g., “White Label CMS”).

Step 4: Click Install Now, then Activate.

Note: If you’re using a premium plugin like ‘Branda Pro’, download it from their site and upload it via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.

3. Customize the Login Page

The login page is often the first thing your clients see. Let’s make it look professional.

Step 1: After activating the plugin, go to Settings > White Label CMS.

Step 2: Now go to the ‘Login’ section and click ‘Upload’ to upload your logo. Make sure it’s high-quality!

Step 3: Change the background color, background image, and text styles to match your brand.

Step 4: Hit Save once the necessary changes are made.

That’s it! Your clients will now see your logo instead of the default WordPress one.

Step 5: If you prefer coding, add this code to your theme’s functions.php file:

function custom_login_logo() {

    echo '<style>

        .login h1 a { 

            background-image: url("https://yourdomain.com/logo.png") !important; 

            background-size: contain; 

            width: 300px; 

            height: 100px; 

        }

    </style>';

}

add_action('login_head', 'custom_login_logo');

Just replace https://yourdomain.com/logo.png with your logo’s URL.

4. Rebrand the Admin Dashboard

Now let’s tackle the admin dashboard area. This is where your clients spend most of their time, so it’s worth making it look good.

Step 1: Go to White Label CMS > Dashboard.

Step 2: To change the dashboard icon, click on ‘Upload ’ and add the icon.

Step 3: Now select the roles the dashboard panels will be hidden to.

Step 4: Hide unnecessary menu items to keep things simple for your clients. You can see the options you can hide in the below image:

Step 5: For more customization, you can add your own welcome dashboard panel. Here you can select roles, template type, and give a title to the welcome panel.

Step 6: If you’re comfortable with code, add this snippet to your theme’s functions.php file to change the footer text:

function custom_admin_footer_text() {

    echo 'Thank you for choosing [Your Company Name]. For support, visit
<ahref="https://yourdomain.com/support">our support page</a>.';

}

add_filter('admin_footer_text', 'custom_admin_footer_text');

Replace [Your Company Name] and the link with your details in the above code.

5. White Label Plugins or Themes

If you’re offering custom plugins or themes, you’ll want to rebrand them too.

For Plugins:

Step 1: Rename the plugin folder (e.g., my-brand-plugin).

Step 2: Open the main plugin file (e.g., plugin-name.php) and update the header:

/*

Plugin Name: My Brand Plugin

Description: A custom plugin created by [Your Company Name].

Version: 1.0

Author: [Your Name]

*/

Replace any logos or branding inside the plugin files.

For Themes:

Step 1: Rename the theme folder (e.g., my-brand-theme).

Step 2: Update the ‘style.css’ file:

/*

Theme Name: My Brand Theme

Description: A custom theme developed by [Your Company Name].

Version: 1.0

Author: [Your Name]

*/

Swap out images and assets with your branded versions.

6. Test Everything

Before handing it over to clients, test your setup:

• Log in and check if your logo appears on the login page.
• Verify that the admin dashboard looks clean and professional.
• Make sure all plugins and themes work as expected.

Pro tip: Test on different devices (desktop, tablet, phone) to ensure everything looks good.

7. Offer Support and Documentation

Clients love when you make things easy. Create a simple guide explaining how to use the white-labeled WordPress setup. Include FAQs and troubleshooting tips. If possible, set up a support system (like email or a helpdesk) so they can reach out if they run into issues.

8. Keep It Updated

White labeling isn’t a “set it and forget it” deal. Regularly:

• Update WordPress core, plugins, and themes.
• Take backups before making changes.
• Check for compatibility issues with new updates.
• Fix bugs or problems as they come up.

This will make sure the white label version of WordPress works without any issues. 

White labeling WordPress doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right tools (the above-mentioned plugins) and a bit of tweaking, you can create a seamless experience for your clients. Start small—customize the login page and admin dashboard—and expand from there. If you want help white labeling your site, hire developers from our WordPress website development company.

Top White Label Plugins for WordPress

Want to rebrand WordPress quickly? These plugins make it easy to customize the dashboard, login screen, and more—so your clients see your brand, not WordPress.

1. White Label CMS

A simple yet powerful plugin that lets you customize the WordPress admin area without coding. Perfect for agencies that want a clean, branded backend for clients.

Key Features:

• Replace WordPress logos with your own.
• Customize admin colors and footer text.
• Hide unnecessary dashboard widgets.
• Remove WordPress update notifications.
• Control menu visibility for different user roles.

Best for: Agencies needing basic white-labeling fast.

2. Ultimate Dashboard

More than just white-labeling, this plugin gives you complete control over the WordPress dashboard. Create custom admin pages and widgets for clients.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop dashboard builder.
• Custom admin pages with your branding.
• Replace the login logo and background.
• Remove default WordPress widgets.
• Role-based dashboard customization.

Best for: Developers building custom client dashboards.

3. Ultimate Client Dash

Designed specifically for client websites, this plugin simplifies the admin area while adding your branding. Makes WordPress less intimidating for clients.

Key Features:

• One-click WordPress branding removal.
• Custom welcome dashboard for clients.
• Simple color scheme customization.
• Hide complex admin menus.
• Add custom help docs and support links.

Best for: Freelancers who want a client-friendly admin.

4. Branda

A versatile white-label plugin from WPMU DEV that handles everything from login screens to email branding. Packed with customization options.

Key Features:

• Custom login, register, and lost password pages.
• Admin bar and dashboard branding.
• White-label emails (from name/address).
• Database prefix changer for security.
• It has compatibility for WordPress multisite.

Best for: Advanced users needing complete branding control.

5. White Label

A lightweight solution focused on the essentials: hiding WordPress branding and cleaning up the admin for clients. Simple setup, no bloat.

Key Features:

• Change admin menu labels.
• Replace WordPress footer text.
• Hide plugin and theme details.
• Remove WordPress version info.
• Works with most themes and plugins.

Best for: Small agencies who want just the basics.

All these plugins keep WordPress updates safe while making your brand shine. Try one and see how it works for you!

Best Practices for White Labeling WordPress

White labeling can make your WordPress sites look pro, but only if done right. Here’s how to do it without causing headaches—for you or your clients.

Don’t Hide Critical Features

When white labeling, it’s tempting to clean up everything. But remember – clients still need access to important stuff. Keep WordPress updates visible so sites stay secure. Don’t lock away basic settings like permalinks or media uploads. The goal is to simplify, not cripple their site. Find that sweet spot where the interface is clean but still functional.

Always Use a Staging Site First

Never test white labeling changes on a live site. Always use a staging environment first. This lets you see how plugins interact, check if branding looks consistent, and verify user roles work right. Most good hosting providers make staging easy with one-click setups. It’s worth the extra minute to avoid breaking a client’s website.

Use a Child Theme

If adding custom code for branding, always use a child theme. This protects your changes during theme updates. For small tweaks, a code snippets plugin works too. Never edit theme files directly – one update, and your hard work disappears. This simple habit prevents so many headaches down the road.

Keep It Simple

Focus your white labeling where it counts – the login page, dashboard, and emails. These are the parts clients actually see and interact with daily. Don’t waste time rebranding obscure backend screens that no one visits. A clean login screen and simplified dashboard make the biggest impact while requiring the least maintenance.

Document Everything

Clients will have questions – it’s inevitable. Create simple documentation explaining how to use the white-labeled interface. Include basics like updating the site, adding content, and where to find help. A one-page cheat sheet saves hours of support time later. Keep it visual with screenshots for best results.

The best white labeling is invisible—clients just see a clean, easy-to-use site. But if you overdo it, you’ll create confusion for the client.

FAQs About White Label WordPress

Let’s Wrap Up

White labeling WordPress isn’t about hiding the platform—it’s about creating a seamless experience for your clients. By customizing the login page, cleaning up the dashboard, and rebranding key elements, you turn a generic CMS into something that feels uniquely yours. The right plugins make it easy, while manual tweaks give you full control.

Just remember: simplicity works best. Focus on what clients actually see, keep critical functions accessible, and always test changes first. Done well, white labeling builds trust, reduces confusion, and lets your work shine—not the WordPress backend. Now you’ve got everything needed to make it happen.

If you are finding it complex to rebrand your WordPress website as per your needs, get in touch with us today!