How to create a WordPress staging site

A plugin update or a theme change can break a live WordPress site. A staging environment (a test copy) lets you check everything safely first.

What staging is

It is an identical copy of the site, on a subdomain or separate server, where you test without affecting visitors. See also the general staging guide.

1. Copy the site

You make a copy of the files and database on a subdomain, for example staging.example.com, using the steps in migrating WordPress and creating subdomains.

2. Protect staging

• Do not let Google index it (tick the search-engine discourage option in WordPress).
• Add a password at the server level, see securing sites.

3. Test the changes

On staging, you apply WordPress, theme and plugin updates, or change the design. You verify everything works.

4. Publish to live

Once you are sure, you apply the same changes to the live site, or copy staging over it. Make a backup of the live site first.

Hourly billing tip

You can start a separate staging server only while you test and delete it after, paying only for the hours used.