Before you share the portal, or after you change what a client can see, check it from the client's side. You don't need the client's password for this.
See one person's view
- Open the client and go to the Client → Settings tab.
- In the People list, click View as Client next to the person.
The portal opens in a new tab with that person's sites, permissions and dashboard switches. Everything is view-only except Media, where anything you add is credited to your agency. Nothing you do there changes their site. While you're viewing as someone, the Blog link, the small edit buttons in the site lists and Sign out are hidden. Their Edit your website button still shows so you see what they see, but clicking it only says "Your client sees this button and opens their editor here". It doesn't open the editor.
Use this to check a person's access, for example that someone with No website access (reports only) sees only reports.
See the client's dashboard
- On the same tab, find the Portal Settings section.
- Click View as Client there.
This opens the client's dashboard in a new tab, following the client's layout and Dashboard settings, so it's the quickest way to check changes you've just saved. It works for any client, even before you invite anyone.
Good to know
- Save your Dashboard settings before you click View as Client. Unsaved changes don't show.
- The Google reviews tab is read-only while you view as the client. If the person has Reply to reviews, a line says "You're viewing as your client — they can reply here; replies are off while you view as them." Reply to reviews from Local → Business Profile → Reviews instead. See Google reviews in the portal.
- Form responses is read-only too: there's no Manage Responses (delete).
- View as Client always opens on the ContentForge address, even if you have a client domain.
- To see the monthly email a person would get, use Preview this month's email. See the monthly overview email.
Using Media while you view as the client
The Media tab shows whenever it's switched on for the client, even if the client has no portal login yet. If you view as one person, you see exactly what they see, so there's no Media tab if you unticked Media for them.
You can use it fully: upload photos and videos, make, rename and delete folders, move and delete photos, and edit a video's name, description and folder. It works the same as Client → Media in your dashboard:
- Everything you add is yours, not the client's. It shows as Added by your agency name, and the client can't move, rename or delete it.
- Folders you make there are your folders, so the client can use them but can't rename or delete them.
- You can change any photo, folder or video, including ones the client sent.
- You don't get the "has uploaded new images" email for your own uploads.
- A line under the buttons reminds you: "You're viewing as your client — anything you add here is added by" your agency.
A team member who isn't assigned to the client sees the tab read-only, with "You're viewing as your client — you don't have access to change this client's media." See Media in the portal.
Examples
- After you change Dashboard settings: save, then click View as Client in Portal Settings to check what's shown.
- Before you send an invite: view the client's dashboard to make sure nothing you'd rather keep private shows.
- "I can't see the Approvals tab": click View as Client next to that person to see exactly what they see.
Who can use it
You need the Clients tool and access to the client. Changes made in the Media tab need you to be assigned to the client.
Troubleshooting
- My changes don't show: save Dashboard settings first, then open View as Client again (or reload the tab).
- The Media tab is read-only: you aren't assigned to this client. Ask an owner or admin to assign you.
- "Failed to open portal preview" or "Tool access required": you need the Clients tool.
- A tab is missing for one person but not for the client view: that person doesn't have the permission for it. Click Edit access next to them.