Question: How do I create a staging copy of my WordPress site? Print

Answer:

This article explains how to create a staging environment for your WordPress website on GHFS Hosting using Plesk. A staging site is a safe, separate copy of your live site where you can test updates, plugins, themes, or custom code without affecting your visitors.

1. What Is a Staging Site?

A staging site is a duplicate of your live website that allows you to:

• Test updates safely

• Try new plugins or themes

• Experiment with design changes

• Avoid breaking the live website

It is usually created at a subdomain such as:

2. Creating a Staging Site with Plesk WordPress Toolkit (Recommended)

Plesk makes staging extremely easy using the WordPress Toolkit.

Steps:

1. Log in to Plesk

2. Open WordPress Toolkit

3. Find your live WordPress installation

4. Click the Clone button

5. Choose the destination:

   • A subdomain (recommended)

   • Another directory

6. Confirm and start the cloning process

Plesk will automatically:

• Create the subdomain

• Copy all files

• Copy the database

• Adjust configuration files

Your staging site will be ready in seconds.

3. Customize Staging Configuration

When cloning, you can adjust options:

• Change database name

• Change file location

• Disable indexing (prevent Google from seeing it)

• Enable password protection for the staging site

These options help keep your staging site private.

4. Working Safely on the Staging Site

Once the staging site is created:

• Log in using the staging admin URL

• Test plugins or theme changes

• Update WordPress or PHP version

• Verify everything works before updating the live site

The staging copy is fully independent of your live site.

5. Push Changes Back to Live (Sync)

After finishing your changes, you can sync the staging site back to the live site.

Steps:

1. Open WordPress Toolkit

2. Select your staging installation

3. Click Sync or Copy Data

4. Choose what to sync:

   • Files

   • Database

   • Both

Important: Sync will overwrite your live site.
Always double-check before confirming.

6. Manual Staging Setup (If You Prefer)

If you don’t want to use the Toolkit:

1. Create a subdomain in Plesk

2. Copy WordPress files into the subdomain directory

3. Export/import the database

4. Update wp-config.php

5. Fix URLs in the database (using a plugin like “Better Search Replace”)

Toolkit is recommended because it automates all of this.

7. When to Contact GHFS Hosting Support

Contact support if:

• Cloning fails

• The staging site shows errors

• Sync options are not available

• Your plan does not support additional domains

• You want assistance creating or protecting the staging site

Support can create or troubleshoot your staging environment.