WordPress is inherently a multiuser platform. Each user has a role to play, and each role is defined by its capabilities. While the use of multiple accounts is obvious for an online store with more than one partner or staff member, even a sole proprietor must contend with multiple user accounts if he allows his customers to create their own logins.
Every shop owner, whether or not he has additional partners or staff, must decide whether to allow customers to register for their own accounts or not. If the answer is yes, there are a few additional issues to consider and configure. For instance, should registration remain optional, or should customers be required to log in before making purchases? If there are additional staff members for the store, what permissions should they have?
In this chapter, we will explore the various roles that users can have within WordPress, and discuss how to handle customer registration, from the point of view of both...