when I first started working with WordPress I used to dread updates.

It felt like every time I clicked “update” something would break.

My website would turn into a tangled mess of broken links and missing images.

It was stressful to say the least.

Then I discovered the magic of staging sites! Let me tell you it was a game changer.

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What is a WordPress Staging Site?

Think of a staging site as your website’s practice room.

You make a copy of your live website and then you can experiment tweak and even break things without affecting the real deal.

You get to test out any changes you want to make before unleashing them on the world.

And once you’re happy with the results you can easily “push” those changes live.

It’s like a safety net for your website.

Why Use a Staging Site?

The benefits are numerous!

Avoid Website Breakdowns: We’ve all been there: updating plugins themes or even WordPress itself only to watch our website crumble. A staging site lets you test these updates in a safe environment. If something goes wrong you can fix it before it affects your live site.
Peace of Mind During Design Changes: Do you ever get nervous about redesigning your website? What if those new features don’t work as expected? Or worse what if you accidentally delete something important? A staging site lets you play around with design changes add new functionality and even experiment with different themes – all without worrying about breaking your live site.
Prevent Embarrassing Mistakes: Let’s be honest we’ve all made a few website mistakes. With a staging site you can catch those errors before they’re seen by your visitors. No more scrambling to fix a broken link while customers are trying to buy your products!

Four Ways to Create a WordPress Staging Site

Now let’s get practical.

There are a few different ways to create a staging site.

Let me walk you through four of the most common methods:

1. Using Your Web Host’s Built-in Staging Functionality

This is the easiest option in my opinion.

Some web hosts offer built-in staging features making it a breeze to set up and use.

How It Works: Your web host essentially creates a copy of your live website on a separate server accessible only to you. You can make changes to this copy and test them to your heart’s content. When you’re ready you can “push” the changes to your live website.
Popular Web Hosts with Staging Functionality:
- Kinsta: Kinsta makes it super simple with their intuitive interface. You can switch between live and staging environments and push changes with just a few clicks.
- Flywheel: Flywheel offers staging as part of their managed WordPress hosting. It’s a robust feature that integrates seamlessly with their platform.
- WP Engine: WP Engine is another great option for managed WordPress hosting and they also have a user-friendly staging environment.
Benefits: The biggest advantage here is convenience. It’s often a simple process and your web host typically handles most of the technical details.
Drawbacks: The downside is that not all web hosts offer staging functionality. If your host doesn’t have this feature you’ll need to explore other options.

2. Using WordPress Staging Plugins

Plugins can be a lifesaver when it comes to staging.

They provide a user-friendly interface for creating and managing staging sites.

How It Works: These plugins create a copy of your website’s database and files then create a new environment where you can make changes. Some plugins allow you to push changes to your live site with a single click.
Popular WordPress Staging Plugins:
- WP Staging: This plugin is a popular choice for its ease of use and comprehensive features. It can handle large websites efficiently and you can create multiple staging sites for different projects.
- Duplicator: Duplicator is another reliable option. It’s known for its ability to create a single file (or “package”) that you can download and then install on a new server creating a staging site.
Benefits: Plugins offer a lot of flexibility. You can choose from a variety of options depending on your needs and budget. Some plugins are even free to use.
Drawbacks: Not all staging plugins are free. If you need advanced features you may need to purchase a premium plugin. Also some plugins can be resource-intensive so they might slow down your website if you’re not careful.

3. Using Backup Plugins for Staging

You might already have a backup plugin installed.

Some backup plugins offer a hidden superpower: staging functionality.

How It Works: You can use a backup plugin to create a full backup of your website. Then you can import that backup to a new subdomain or subdirectory on your server. This creates a staging copy of your site that you can modify.
Popular Backup Plugins with Staging Functionality:
- Jetpack Backup: Jetpack Backup is a well-known plugin that offers automatic backups and it also has a staging option.
- VaultPress: VaultPress is another excellent option for backup and staging.
Benefits: This method is particularly useful if you already have a reliable backup plugin. It’s a good option for smaller websites that don’t require advanced staging features.
Drawbacks: It can be more involved than other methods. You’ll need to create a new subdomain or subdirectory and then install the backup manually. It’s not as convenient as using a built-in staging tool or a plugin designed for staging.

4. Setting Up a Local Development Environment

If you’re comfortable working with code and you want complete control you can set up a local development environment.

How It Works: You install a local development environment (like Local by Flywheel DevKinsta or MAMP) on your computer. This creates a virtual server on your computer where you can create a copy of your website.
Benefits: This method offers maximum flexibility and control. You can experiment with different themes plugins and even make code changes without impacting your live site.
Drawbacks: It can be more technically challenging than other options. You’ll need to be familiar with local development environments and how to manage them. It also takes up space on your computer and might require more resources than other methods.

Pushing Your Staging Site Live

Once you’re satisfied with your changes you can push your staging site to your live website.

The process varies depending on the method you used to create your staging site.

Web Host’s Staging Functionality: Typically your web host will have a simple button or process for pushing changes. It’s often just a few clicks to move your staging site live.
Staging Plugins: Many plugins offer a one-click push functionality.
Backup Plugins: You’ll need to create a fresh backup of your staging site and then import that backup to your live website effectively overwriting the existing content.
Local Development Environment: Depending on your local development tool you might be able to push the staging site live directly. Alternatively you can create a backup and import it to your live website.

Important Things to Keep in Mind When Using Staging Sites

Update the Permalink Structure: If you create a staging site on a subdomain or subdirectory make sure to update the permalink structure to match your live site. This ensures that your links work correctly when you push the site live.
Discourage Search Engines: You don’t want Google to index your staging site as it could lead to duplicate content issues. In your staging site’s settings tell search engines to avoid indexing the site.
Thoroughly Test After Pushing: Even if you’ve carefully tested your changes on your staging site always double-check everything after pushing it live. Make sure all links work correctly and that the site performs as expected.

Staging Sites: A Must-Have Tool for Every WordPress User

Overall staging sites are an essential tool for anyone working with WordPress.

They offer peace of mind help prevent costly errors and allow you to experiment without affecting your live website.

I highly recommend using a staging site for all major changes including:

Theme Updates: Testing a theme update in a staging environment can prevent unexpected design or functionality issues.
Plugin Updates: The same principle applies to plugins. You’ll want to make sure a new plugin version doesn’t conflict with other plugins or your theme.
Content Migrations: If you’re moving content from one website to another a staging site lets you test the migration process to make sure everything works smoothly.
Major Design Changes: Before you launch a new design or make significant changes to your website make sure to test it out in a staging environment first!

Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the staging method that works best for you.

The effort you put in now will pay off in the long run.

Your website will thank you for it!

How to Create a WordPress Staging Site (4 Easy Ways) ⚠️