Updating your WordPress site directly can be risky, so it’s crucial to create a staging site. A staging site replicates your live website, allowing you to test changes, troubleshoot issues, and refine updates without affecting your main site. This process helps avoid downtime, broken features, and other complications.
This guide will explain how to create a staging environment for your WordPress site using different methods. Most options are quick and require only a few clicks.
What Is a Staging Site?
A staging site is a safe environment where you can test updates before applying them to your live website. It prevents errors that could otherwise disrupt your site’s functionality. Unlike traditional local installations on your computer, a staging site mirrors your live server’s environment, ensuring that any changes made will work smoothly when transferred to your live site.
Methods to Create a WordPress Staging Site
There are several ways to create a staging site. The easiest is through your hosting provider’s built-in staging feature, available with many top WordPress hosting companies. If your host doesn’t offer this feature, you can still create a staging site manually or using a plugin.
1. Creating a Staging Site on Bluehost
Bluehost offers a one-click staging solution with all its plans. Here’s how to set it up:
- Access Bluehost Dashboard: Go to the ‘My Sites’ section and activate the ‘Bluehost Plugin’ from the ‘Plugins’ tab.
- Create Staging Site: Visit the Bluehost » Staging page and click ‘Create Staging Site.’ Bluehost will set up the environment for you.
- Switch to Staging Site: Click the ‘Switch’ button to start working on your staging site. Any changes made here won’t affect your live site.
Deploying Changes:
When you’re ready to move changes from staging to live, go to Bluehost » Staging, choose your deployment options, and click ‘Deploy All Changes.’ This will transfer your updates to the live site.
2. Creating a Staging Site on SiteGround
SiteGround offers a staging feature with its GrowBig and GoGeek plans. Here’s how you can set it up:
- Login to SiteGround Dashboard: Navigate to the Websites tab and select ‘Site Tools’ under your website.
- Create Staging Site: Go to WordPress » Staging, select your site, name your staging copy, and click ‘Create.’
- Protect Your Staging Site: Set up a username and password to keep your staging site private.
Deploying Changes:
To merge changes back to your live site, use the ‘Full Deploy’ option under WordPress » Staging. This will update your live website with all the changes from staging.
3. Creating a Staging Site on WP Engine
WP Engine, a leading managed WordPress host, provides an easy staging setup:
- Login to WP Engine Dashboard: Select your website from the ‘Sites’ page.
- Add Staging Environment: Choose ‘Copy an existing environment to this site’ to replicate your live site for staging.
- Name and Protect: Name your staging site and enable password protection.
Deploying Changes:
To move updates from staging to live, click ‘Copy Environment’ and select your staging site as the source. Choose what to copy and deploy the changes to your live site.
4. Creating a Staging Site Using a Plugin
If your hosting provider doesn’t offer staging, you can use a plugin like WP Stagecoach:
- Install WP Stagecoach: Activate the plugin and enter your API key in the settings.
- Create Staging Site: Choose a name for your staging site and password-protect it.
- Generate Staging Site: The plugin will create a backup of your WordPress site and set up a staging environment.
Deploying Changes:
Once testing is complete, you can push updates to your live site directly from the plugin’s interface.
Final Note: Creating a staging site is vital for any WordPress site owner. It ensures that your live site remains functional while you make necessary updates and improvements. Whether through your hosting provider or a plugin, setting up a staging site is now easier than ever.
