Pages Setup & Auto-Creation

Pages Setup

Configure the three required marketplace pages that power your service platform using shortcodes.

Required Pages Overview

WP Sell Services requires three core pages to function properly:

PagePurposeRequired Shortcode
ServicesBrowse all services[wpss_services]
DashboardUnified buyer and vendor dashboard[wpss_dashboard]
Become a VendorVendor registration[wpssvendorregistration]
Pages settings tab
Full pages settings

Auto-Create Pages

The quickest way to set up your marketplace pages in one click.

One-Click Setup

  1. Go to WP Sell Services → Settings → Pages
  2. Click Auto-Create All Pages button
  3. Plugin creates all three pages with correct shortcodes
  4. Pages are published and assigned automatically

What Gets Created:

  • /services/ – Services catalog page
  • /dashboard/ – Unified user dashboard
  • /become-a-vendor/ – Vendor registration

Benefits

  • Correct shortcodes automatically inserted
  • Pages published and assigned in one step
  • SEO-friendly permalinks
  • Immediate functionality

After Auto-Creation

Each page can be customized:

  • Edit page content and layout
  • Change permalink structure
  • Assign custom page template
  • Add additional content blocks

Manual Page Setup

Prefer to create pages yourself? Follow this step-by-step guide.

Services Catalog Page

Displays all available services with search, filtering, and categories.

Create the Page:

  1. Go to Pages → Add New
  2. Title: “Services” or “Browse Services”
  3. Add the shortcode: [wpss_services]
  4. Publish the page
  5. Copy the page URL
  6. Go to WP Sell Services → Settings → Pages
  7. Select this page in Services Page dropdown
  8. Save changes

Optional Shortcode Attributes:

[wpss_services limit="12" columns="3" orderby="date" order="DESC"]

Available Attributes:

  • limit – Services per page (default: 12)
  • columns – Grid columns (default: 3)
  • orderby – Sort by: date, title, rating, price
  • order – ASC or DESC

See Shortcodes Reference for complete list.

Dashboard Page

The unified dashboard serves all users with a single shortcode that dynamically displays buyer or vendor features based on the logged-in user’s role.

Create the Page:

  1. Pages → Add New
  2. Title: “Dashboard” or “My Account”
  3. Add shortcode: [wpss_dashboard]
  4. Publish the page
  5. Assign in Settings → Pages → Dashboard
  6. Save changes

Understanding the Unified Dashboard:

WP Sell Services uses one [wpss_dashboard] shortcode for all users. The dashboard automatically adapts content based on user role.

What Buyers See:

  • My Orders (services purchased)
  • My Requests (projects posted)
  • Messages (vendor conversations)
  • Favorites (saved services)
  • Profile Settings

What Vendors See:

  • Vendor Dashboard (stats overview)
  • My Services (manage listings)
  • Sales Orders (incoming orders)
  • Earnings (revenue, withdrawals)
  • Analytics (performance metrics)
  • Messages (buyer conversations)
  • Profile & Portfolio

What Dual-Role Users See:

  • All buyer sections (for purchases)
  • All vendor sections (for sales)
  • Clear separation between activities
  • Toggle between buyer and vendor modes

“Become a Vendor” Button:

For logged-in users who are buyers but not vendors:

  • Dashboard shows “Become a Vendor” button
  • Clicking redirects to vendor registration page
  • After approval, vendor sections appear
  • No page switching needed

Why One Dashboard?

Benefits of unified approach:

  • Simple for users (one destination)
  • Easy for admins (one shortcode)
  • Better for dual-role users
  • Consistent interface
  • Mobile-friendly

Become a Vendor Page

Registration form for users who want to sell services on your marketplace.

Create the Page:

  1. Pages → Add New
  2. Title: “Become a Vendor” or “Start Selling”
  3. Add shortcode: [wpssvendorregistration]
  4. Add persuasive content about vendor benefits
  5. Publish the page
  6. Assign in Settings → Pages → Become a Vendor
  7. Save changes

Important: Use [wpssvendorregistration] not [wpss_register].

Example Content:

# Start Your Service Business Today

Join our marketplace and reach thousands of buyers!

## Why Sell With Us?

- No listing fees
- Flexible pricing options
- Professional dashboard
- Secure payments
- 24/7 support

[wpss_vendor_registration]

Questions? Contact us at support@example.com

Assigning Existing Pages

Already have pages you want to use? Assign them to marketplace functions.

Assignment Process

  1. Navigate to WP Sell Services → Settings → Pages
  2. Each setting shows a dropdown of all published pages
  3. Select the appropriate page for each function
  4. Ensure page contains the correct shortcode
  5. Click Save Changes

Page Validation:

The plugin checks if selected pages contain required shortcodes. If missing, you’ll see a warning to add the shortcode.

Page Requirements

Each assigned page must include its shortcode:

Page TypeRequired Shortcode
Services[wpss_services] or Services Grid block
Dashboard[wpss_dashboard]
Become a Vendor[wpssvendorregistration]

Create Individual Pages

Don’t want to auto-create all pages at once? Create pages individually:

  1. Go to Settings → Pages
  2. Click Create Page next to any page field
  3. Plugin creates that specific page
  4. Page is auto-assigned
  5. Repeat for other pages as needed

Page Content Best Practices

Services Catalog

Enhance the catalog with additional elements:

# Professional Services Marketplace

Find the perfect service for your needs from verified vendors.

[wpss_service_search]

[wpss_service_categories]

[wpss_services limit="12" columns="3"]

This structure provides search, categories, then service grid.

Become a Vendor

Include persuasive content before the form:

# Start Earning Today

Turn your skills into income on our marketplace.

## Benefits

- Keep 90% of your earnings
- Set your own prices
- Flexible working hours
- Professional tools included

## Requirements

- Valid email address
- Skill or service to offer
- Professional portfolio (optional)

[wpss_vendor_registration]

Dashboard

Keep it simple – the shortcode generates the full interface:

[wpss_dashboard]

Optional: Add Welcome Message

# Welcome to Your Dashboard

Manage your orders, services, and account all in one place.

[wpss_dashboard]

The dashboard automatically shows buyer or vendor sections based on the logged-in user’s role.

Additional Optional Pages

Consider creating these supplementary pages:

Vendor Directory

[wpss_vendors columns="4" orderby="rating"]

Browse all marketplace vendors with ratings and statistics.

Featured Services

[wpss_featured_services limit="8"]

Showcase premium or promoted services on homepage.

Top Vendors

[wpss_top_vendors limit="10"]

Display highest-rated vendors.

Page Templates

Some WordPress themes offer specific page templates that work well with marketplace pages.

Recommended Templates

  • Full Width – Best for services catalog and dashboard
  • Sidebar Right – Good for browse pages
  • Blank Template – Best for dashboard (custom styling)

Select template in page editor sidebar under Page Attributes → Template.

Troubleshooting

Shortcode Displays as Text

Symptoms: Shortcode shows as [wpss_services] instead of rendering

Solutions:

  1. Verify exact shortcode spelling
  2. Check page is published, not draft
  3. Clear all caches (site and browser)
  4. Deactivate conflicting plugins
  5. Switch to default WordPress theme temporarily

Dashboard Shows Wrong Content

Symptoms: User doesn’t see expected sections

Solutions:

  1. Verify user role at Users → All Users
  2. Check vendor registration status (must be approved)
  3. Confirm user is logged in (dashboard requires authentication)
  4. Clear user sessions: Settings → Pages → Clear Sessions [PRO]
  5. Log out and back in
  6. Clear browser cookies

Remember: The unified dashboard shows different content based on user role. Buyers see buyer sections, vendors see vendor sections, dual-role users see both.

“Page Not Found” Error

Symptoms: Selected pages return 404 errors

Solutions:

  1. Flush permalinks: Settings → Permalinks → Save Changes
  2. Verify page is published (not private or draft)
  3. Check for permalink conflicts with other plugins
  4. Ensure page wasn’t deleted

Permission Denied Messages

Symptoms: “You don’t have permission to access this page”

Solutions:

  1. Verify page is public (not password protected)
  2. Check vendor registration is open in Settings → Vendor
  3. User must be logged in for dashboard access
  4. Vendor account must be approved

Related Documentation

Next Steps

After setting up pages:

  1. Test each page as a logged-out visitor
  2. Create a test vendor account to verify dashboard
  3. Place a test order to verify buyer dashboard
  4. Customize page designs to match your brand
  5. Add pages to site navigation menu
Last updated: February 14, 2026