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I have Googled and found dead ends. So, I'll come here and see if anyone has an idea:

I've been asked to create a super simple site based off Wordpress. The entire point of the site is to allow financial clients to upload documentation into their own private directory - ALL on the Front End.

I'm making the site for a friend as a favor and I don't want to use a paid service like Gravity Forms, even though that is exactly what I need. I know, I know, but I'm trying to help a friend here, not give him a new cost to take on.

I've tried wp-FileManager and WP-Filebase but neither seem to do what I'm looking for...

He'll create a username and password for his clients in the Back End himself and then email them the details. He wants them to goto the site, login and be able to upload files, download important documents he uploads himself and he would like it so each user can only see their own files, he sees all.

ANY ideas? Again, it all needs to be on the Front End for the clients - HE can use the WP Dashboard for his use.

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This might be closed as it is considered a "shopping" question and pertains to just your use. – Wyck Sep 21 '12 at 19:31
@Wyck just curious, how is trying to find a plug-in/solution for a file management on the front-end "shopping?" – Claspie Sep 25 '12 at 20:49
Plugin recommendations don't suit this site well because they are subject to opinion, have alook at the wordpress.stackexchange.com/faq – Wyck Sep 26 '12 at 16:02
@Wyck I apologize for perhaps stepping on some toes and not obeying the forum FAQ. However, I take everything posted here as an "opinion" before it is proven to be a solution to a problem. I had a problem (still do) so I attempted to reach out here to fix it. I will attempt to reconstruct how I approach these types of posts in the future. – Claspie Oct 2 '12 at 17:25
This is a misunderstanding of how stack sites generally work, WPSE is not a forum and thus does not encourage discussion in the same way, rather only solutions to actual example based problems. – Wyck Oct 3 '12 at 2:10
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closed as off topic by Brady♦ Oct 26 '12 at 10:54

Questions on WordPress Answers are expected to relate to WordPress within the scope defined in the FAQ. Consider editing the question or leaving comments for improvement if you believe the question can be reworded to fit within the scope. Read more about closed questions here.

2 Answers

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I would use a free membership plugin that includes a login page and upload functionality, such as Participants Database or one that focuses on front end combined with a forms plugin.

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Links only are considered bad quality. Please add relevant snippets, descriptions, etc. See the paragraph "Context for links" in the extended FAQ". – kaiser Sep 23 '12 at 9:47
I couldn't find my own plugin I used once and this one is described in the comment as having a login page and upload functionality. Sorry for bad quality, but I don't HAVE a longer description for the plugin. – Liana Mir Sep 23 '12 at 19:20
@LianaMir thanks for taking the time to contribute! Seriously, anything could be a lead in the right direction so thanks! – Claspie Sep 25 '12 at 20:53
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As a long time user of WordPress, I think your client should be shown that the back-end they use can be different to what a normal logged in user sees in wp-admin.

Personally I'd create a mockup or some wireframes to show them what can be done, because front-end upload for logged in users sounds very generic.

Using a combination of plugins such as User Role Editor and maybe SmartyPants Client Documentation you can easily achieve what you ask. This means the front end is for any user as well as non-logged ones.

Now -- you said you are doing this for a friend as a favour ... so if you want to reduce the setup effort, then Gravity Forms with the Upload extension maybe the least hassle and quickest solution. If you can achieve what your client wants for about $100 USD vs several days hard work by yourself ... which would you choose?

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This should be a comment instead. – kaiser Sep 23 '12 at 9:47
@kaiser ill expand on this ... at the time i think i was on my iPad :) – Damien Sep 23 '12 at 14:50
@Damien thanks for answering from your iPad! My "client" here is a friend that knows the backend well enough for someone who isn't very web savvy. He's trying to have HIS clients have file management capabilities from the front-end. I honestly never thought this would be hard to find, thought it would be something others have encountered. As for Gravity Forms, already discussed it with him cause I know it's the PERFECT solution but he doesn't want to take on the annual license cost, no matter which level he got. – Claspie Sep 25 '12 at 20:53
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@Claspie totally up to you .. how much time you got then to build the perfect site 'for free' – Damien Sep 25 '12 at 21:46
Just never realized this would be such a headache. However, it does make some sense as to why it would be with the security/roles involved. Of course it wants everyone to goto the backend... thanks for the input Damien! – Claspie Oct 2 '12 at 17:27

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