How to Add One-Click Login with Google in WordPress (Step by Step)

Enabling one-click login with Google accounts on your WordPress site can greatly improve user experience.

Visitors can instantly access your site without needing to constantly log in. This builds engagement and loyalty.

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to set up hassle-free Google sign-in.

Why Add Google One Click Login: Benefits & Data

Here are 5 compelling benefits of adding Google login, with recent statistics:

1. Higher User Engagement Rates

Sites with social login see up to 50% more user activity compared to sites without it, according to Social Login Report.

2. Better Conversion Rates

One-step Google login can lift sign-up conversion rates by over 15%, revealed customer research by Princh.

3. Enhanced User Experience

Around 92% of web users prefer signing in instantly with an existing social media profile over creating new logins. ScienceDirect study.

4. Leverages Existing Accounts

There were over 3 billion active Gmail users worldwide as of 2022, Backlinko reports. Enable them to conveniently access your platform.

5. Robust Account Security

Google applies cutting-edge infrastructure and algorithms to secure accounts and block threats. Inherit safety mechanisms trusted by billions.

Clearly there’s a strong case for allowing Google one click access. Now let’s see how to technically implement it.

Step 1 – Install & Activate Nextend Social Login Plugin

The easiest way to activate Google login is by using Nextend Social Login. With over 300,000+ active installs, it’s a popular choice.

Here is how to set it up:

1. In WordPress admin, go to Plugins > Add New.
2. Search for “Nextend Social Login”.
3. Hit Install Now. Once installed, click Activate.

That’s it! The plugin is now ready to connect your site to Google for streamlined access.

Time to get your Google credentials…

Step 2 – Create a Google App for Authentication

To allow Google login, you need to generate app credentials from the Google Cloud Platform.

Follow these steps to create your Google app:

1. Go to Google Cloud Console. Log in if needed.

2. Click the hamburger menu and select APIs & Services > Library.

3. Click + Create Project. Give your project a name like "My Site Google Login".

4. When created, go to APIs & Services > OAuth Consent Screen. Select app type and enter details.

5. Under Credentials, click + Create Credentials > OAuth Client ID.

6. For application type, choose Web Application.

7. Add your authorized redirect URI. Example:

    http://yourdomain.com/wp-login.php?loginSocial=google

8. Grab the Client ID and Secret.

Keep this browser tab open. We will need to copy-paste the credentials into the plugin.

Step 3 – Add Google Credentials into Plugin

Now, head back to your WordPress dashboard.

1. Go to Nextend Social Login > Settings.
2. Click the Google icon then paste your Client ID and Secret into the respective fields under Configuration.
3. Hit Verify Settings. On success, it disables the provider.
4. Enable Google and click Save Changes at the bottom.

The Google login button will now automatically appear on your WordPress login and registration pages.

But before users can actually start accessing your site, you need to take the Google app live…

Step 4 – Publish Your Google App

1. Back in the Google Cloud console, click OAuth Consent Screen on left nav.
2. Under Publishing status click Publish App.
3. In the popup confirm you want to publish your app.

Google sign-in is now officially ready to use! Visitors can access your site with one tap.

Step 5 – Customize the Login Button

Tailor the button design, colors and labels to match your brand:

1. In plugin settings, open the Buttons tab.
2. Select button style. Edit texts like Login Label.
3. Click Save Changes.

And that’s it! Your site now supports instant one click access with Google accounts.

Expert Tips for Enhancing Login UX

Here are a few pro tips to further polish the login experience:

• Allow users to easily disconnect Google access under their profile settings.
• Consider adding other social login options like Facebook alongside Google.
• Set up Google Workspace to only allow sign-in from your organization‘s email accounts.
• Use a plugin like Theme My Login to fully customize login/reg pages.

Reviewing login analytics can also provide insight on adoption levels between social vs traditional authentication.

So go ahead – streamline your website access with Google one tap login! Visitors can now instantly engage with your platform using accounts they already actively use daily.