Stop losing client work in email threads and shared drive links. MerchantKits Client Portal gives every client their own password-protected page on your site, where they can follow project progress, download deliverables, upload their own files, message you, and sign off on work.
Your clients do not need WordPress accounts. They sign in with an email address and a password you set, using a portal session that is completely separate from WordPress logins.
Built for freelancers and small agencies
- A portal per client. Each client gets a URL like
yoursite.com/client-portal/acme-corp/, branded with your logo and colour — not your theme, and with no WordPress admin bar in sight. - Projects with milestones. Break work into milestones, drag to reorder them, and let progress calculate itself as you move each one forward.
- Secure file sharing. Files are stored outside the publicly served uploads tree, with randomised filenames and downloads served through an authenticated PHP handler. Direct URL access is blocked.
- Deliverable approvals. Mark a file “requires approval” and your client gets Approve and Request Revision buttons. Revision requests require a note, so you always know what to change.
- Message threads per project. Async, comment-style messaging with unread counts in your admin menu — no live chat to keep up with.
- Activity log. Every upload, download, message, milestone change, and approval is recorded. You see everything; each client sees only their own.
- Email notifications. Eight notification types, each individually switchable, sent as clean branded HTML with a plain-text alternative.
- Embed anywhere. Prefer the portal inside your existing site design? Drop the
[mkcp_portal]shortcode on any page and it inherits your theme.
Everything is included
- Unlimited clients, projects, milestones, files, and messages
- The full portal, approval workflow, and activity log
- All email notifications
- CSV export for clients, projects, files, and activity
- Full REST API
There are no locked features, no client caps, and no upsell prompts blocking your
work. Everything described on this page is in the plugin you download.
The plugin makes no external requests. All of your data stays in your own
WordPress database and on your own server.
Part of the MerchantKits suite
- MerchantKits Document Signatures — collect legally binding e-signatures on documents.
- MerchantKits Attendance Manager — track employee attendance, shifts, and leave.
Screenshots
The admin dashboard, with client and project stats, pending actions, and a colour-coded activity feed.
The client list, showing portal links, project counts, and last sign-in.
The project editor, with inline drag-and-drop milestones and auto-calculated progress.
The client-facing portal dashboard, branded with your logo and colour.
A project in the portal: milestone timeline, files, messages, and approvals.
The approval workflow — a client approving a deliverable or requesting a revision with a note.
The client portal sign-in page.
The settings screen, showing the General tab.