Want to make changes to your WordPress site, but without the risk of your live site crashing? With WP staging you can test new features or updates safely and stress-free before you publish them.

What exactly is WP staging?

WP staging is a handy WordPress plugin that lets you create an exact copy of your website. You run this copy (also called a staging site) in a separate environment, completely separate from your live site. That way you can test updates, install new plugins or try out design changes without visitors noticing anything.

WP Staging (the plugin) does all the heavy lifting for you: with a few clicks you set up a staging environment within your existing hosting environment. No technical knowledge needed!

Why use WP staging?

No more errors on your live site

We've all been there: you install a new plugin or run an update… and suddenly something stops working. Your homepage is broken, your shopping cart acts strangely or you get white screens. With WP staging you prevent those kinds of nightmares.

Test calmly without stress

A staging environment gives you room to experiment calmly. Working with a developer or designer? Then they can safely tinker with the site without any risk of downtime. And you can check everything at your own pace before you put anything live.

How does the WP Staging plugin work?

The great thing about WP Staging is that it's super simple. Below I explain in three steps how to get started with it.

Step 1: Install the plugin

  1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.

  2. Search for WP Staging.

  3. Click Install Now and then Activate.

Done? Then you'll see a new menu item "WP Staging" in your dashboard.

Step 2: Create your staging environment

  1. Click WP Staging > Create New Staging Site.

  2. Give your staging site a name (for example testenvironment).

  3. Click Start Cloning.

The plugin now makes an exact copy of your site, including the database, themes, plugins and media. Depending on the size of your site, this takes a few minutes.

Step 3: Test and publish changes

As soon as your staging site is ready, you can open it via a separate URL. Log in with the same credentials as your regular site.

You can now experiment freely:

  • Run updates

  • Adjust CSS

  • Test plugins

Nothing you do here affects your live website. Your staging site is completely separate, so you can test everything without risk.

Happy with the changes? Then you have two options to put them live:

1. Transfer manually (free version)

This is the do-it-yourself option. You manually repeat the changes you tested on the staging site on your live site. Think of:

  • Updating the plugins you updated again on live

  • Copying new settings

  • Carrying over design changes (such as CSS or widgets)

  • Copying pages or posts via the WordPress editor

Tip: Use tools such as "WP All Export/Import" if you want to transfer larger amounts of content or settings.

2. Push automatically with WP Staging Pro

The Pro version of WP Staging makes it even easier. With it, you can push all your changes from the staging environment to your live site automatically with one click. The system makes sure that:

  • The database is synchronized

  • Files (such as plugins, themes and uploads) are transferred

  • Your live site stays intact, without downtime

How does that work in WP Staging Pro?

  1. In your dashboard, click WP Staging > Staging Sites.

  2. Choose your staging environment.

  3. Click Push Changes.

  4. Follow the steps in the wizard and confirm.

You can even specify which parts you want to include, which is handy if, for example, you only changed the theme but want to leave the content as it is.

Please note: always make a backup before you push, even though it works fine 99% of the time.

Tips for optimal use

A staging environment requires some extra resources from your hosting plan. So choose good WordPress hosting, such as that of Theory7.net. Here you get super-fast servers, one-click installation and premium support. Perfect for anyone who wants to work with WP staging without hassle.

Keep your staging site secure

Even though your staging site is not publicly visible, secure it anyway:

  • Use a strong password

  • Optionally add an extra login via htaccess

  • Delete the staging environment when you're done

This prevents search engines from accidentally indexing your test environment, or malicious parties from making off with it.

Stuck? The helpdesk is ready to help

Are you stuck, is something not working as expected, or would you like advice on WP staging? No stress: the Theory7 helpdesk is ready to help you. You get help from real experts who work with WordPress and staging tools every day. Just send a message via the support page or live chat, and you'll be back on track in no time.

Final tip: working safely = working smarter. With WP staging you keep your site stable and professional. Will you give it a try?

Further reading