Add existing sites to the sites dashboard

The Sites Dashboard gives you a centralized view of all your managed sites. Monitor uptime, scan for malware, manage backups, and access other Jetpack-based features — all from one place.

Sites hosted with any provider can be managed from the Sites Dashboard by connecting them using the Automattic for Agencies plugin or Jetpack. Connected sites also attribute WooPayments revenue share to your account.

There are multiple ways to connect a site to the Sites Dashboard. You can choose between two plugins — the Automattic for Agencies plugin or the Jetpack plugin — and you can install either plugin remotely from the dashboard or manually from the site’s wp-admin.

The following table compares the two plugin options:

The Automattic for Agencies plugin is a streamlined version of the Jetpack plugin that contains only the connection components. It is a good option for clients who prefer not to install the full Jetpack plugin.

The Jetpack plugin is a more comprehensive option. In addition to the dashboard connection, it provides access to features like plugin management and SSO (Single Sign-On), which lets you log in to the wp-admin of any connected site using your WordPress.com credentials — regardless of where the site is hosted.

Feature	Automattic for Agencies plugin	Jetpack plugin
Connects site to the Sites Dashboard	✅	✅
Uptime monitoring via the Sites Dashboard	✅	✅
Lightweight, connection-only plugin	✅	❌
Plugin management from the Sites Dashboard	❌	✅
SSO into wp-admin of connected sites	❌	✅

Once you have selected a plugin, choose how to install it:

• Remote install from the dashboard: Streamlined install from the Automattic for Agencies dashboard with steps completed for you.
• Manual install from wp-admin: Install the plugin directly from the site’s wp-admin as you would with any plugin.

In this guide, you will learn how to add existing sites to the Sites Dashboard using each of these methods.

To begin adding a site from the Sites Dashboard:

1. Navigate to the Sites Dashboard in the Automattic for Agencies portal.
2. Click the “Add sites” button.

3. Choose one of the connection options described below.

Use this option to connect a WordPress.com site on which your Automattic for Agencies account has an administrator role. Sites with a plugin-compatible hosting plan that are not yet on your dashboard will appear in the selection list.

1. Select the WordPress.com option.
2. Choose the site you want to add from the list.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the connection.

This is the recommended option for connecting sites. The Automattic for Agencies plugin is lightweight and purpose-built for this connection.

1. Select the Automattic for Agencies plugin option.

2. Enter the site’s URL and click “Connect”

3. Enter your local administrator username and password when prompted.

4. The ‘Add Plugin’ page will be loaded and the plugin will show ready for install
5. Click “Install Now” and then “Activate”

6. The Automattic for Agencies connection page will be loaded. Click “Connect this site”

7. On the next screen, you’ll be shown the option to connect a WordPress.com account.
   • If the account shown is your agency account, you can click “Approve”.
   • However, if the account is not your agency account, you should choose “Sign in as a different user” in order to properly connect the site to your own account. You may see this if a client already has their own account connected.

This option installs the Jetpack plugin and connects the site to your WordPress.com account.

1. Select the Jetpack option.

2. Enter the site’s URL and click “Connect”.

3. Enter your local administrator username and password when prompted.

4. Jetpack will be automatically installed on your site
5. On the next screen, you will see the option to connect a WordPress.com account.
   • If the account shown is your agency account, click “Approve”.
   • If the account is not your agency account, click “Sign in as a different user” to connect the site to your own account. You may see this if a client already has their own account connected.

These options follow the same steps as those above. However, you will need to manually search for and install each plugin from the Plugins → Add New Plugin screen on each site’s wp-admin.

To get started, log in to the site’s wp-admin with administrator credentials.

1. Navigate to Plugins → Add New Plugin.
2. Search for “Automattic for Agencies.”
3. Click “Install Now”, then click “Activate”.
4. On the next screen, click “Connect this site”.
   • If the account shown is your agency account, click “Approve”.
   • If the account is not your agency account, click “Sign in as a different user” to connect the site to your own account. You may see this if a client already has their own account connected.

You can connect a site to the Sites Dashboard using any official Jetpack plugin available in the WordPress.org plugin repository.

1. Log in to the site’s wp-admin with administrator credentials.
2. Navigate to Plugins → Add New Plugin.
3. Search for “Jetpack”.
4. Click “Install Now”, then click “Activate”.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up the plugin and connect your WordPress.com account.
   • If the account shown is your agency account, click “Approve”.
   • If the account is not your agency account, click “Sign in as a different user” to connect the site to your own account. You may see this if a client already has their own account connected.

For help resolving connection issues, visit Fix Automattic for Agencies plugin issues.