Getting Started with WP Activity Log

Thank you for choosing WP Activity Log to monitor user and system activity on your WordPress websites. This guide will help you get up and running in no time at all.

Step 1: Download and install WP Activity Log

If you have purchased a Premium plan, you will receive an email with a plugin download link and your license key. Below is a copy of the email. If you can’t find the email, please check your Spam folder.

Alternatively, you can log in to your My Account page, where you’ll find everything you need.

Download the plugin using the provided link and install it on WordPress just like you would with any other plugin.

Important: If you have the free edition of the plugin installed, it will be automatically deactivated once you install the Premium edition. You can safely uninstall the free edition once you start using the Premium edition.

Using the free version?

You can easily install WP Activity Log from the WordPress repository by navigating to Plugins > Add New Plugin. Search for WP Activity Log and click on Install Now, as shown in the screenshot below.

Step 2: Enter your license key (Premium only)

Premium plans need to be activated using the provided license key. License keys are sent via email upon confirmation of purchase. If you cannot find the license key in your inbox, make sure you check your Spam folder. If you still cannot find it, click the Can’t find your license key? option in the license prompt or open a support ticket.

If you’re installing WP Activity Log across a number of sites, you can also activate licenses programmatically.

Step 3: Plugin configuration wizard

Once you activate the plugin, the initial configuration wizard will kick in and walk you through the initial configuration. Click on the Start Configuring the Plugin button to get started.

Before we get started: It is worth noting that all settings configured in the initial configuration wizard can be changed at any time from the plugin’s Settings page.

Step 3.1: Select log detail level

WP Activity Log logs hundreds of user and system activities. You can choose to track all of them by selecting Comprehensive, or take more of a high-level overview by choosing Basic. 

Here is everything WP Activity Log keeps a log of. 

Once you’ve made your choice, click on Next to continue.

Step 3.2: Login page options

WP Activity Log can monitor pages other than wp-admin for user logins, ensuring all user logins are duly recorded in the activity log. If you have other login pages, select Yes; otherwise, select No.

Once you have made your selection, click on Next to continue.

Step 3.3: Visitor registration option

WP Activity Log can monitor user registration pages for any new user sign-ups and log them accordingly. If your WordPress site allows visitors to register user accounts, choose Yes. Otherwise, click on the No option. Once ready, click Next.

Step 3.4: Data retention

By default, WP Activity Log keeps log data for the past 3 months. However, you may choose to keep log data for longer periods or keep all data.

While WP Activity Log is very efficient in the way it stores data, the amount of space required will largely depend on your number of users and site activity.

Choose for how long you want to keep log data from the available options and click on Next to continue.

Step 3.5: Finish

Congratulations! WP Activity Log is now all set up and has started to log user and system activities.

Click Finish and then navigate to WP Activity Log > Log viewer to view your very first log data.

What’s next?

Our knowledge base includes many articles and How-Tos that walk you through the different settings and options available in WP Activity Log. Make sure you stop by to learn more about what this plugin has to offer.

Feeling stuck? Our support team is here to help! Simply open a ticket, and we’ll walk you through any issues you might be experiencing.

Recommended reads for WP Activity Log users

If you are new to WordPress activity logs and would like to learn more about them and the WP Activity Log plugin, here are some recommended reads:

• What is a WordPress Activity Log?
• What are the benefits of keeping a WordPress activity log?
• What are Events and Event IDs in the WordPress activity log?
• Why should you use the WP Activity Log plugin?
• How WP Activity Log can be part of your GDPR toolkit.

Refer to the premium features page for more detailed information on all the features available in the premium edition of the most comprehensive WordPress activity log plugin solution.