How to Create a WordPress Staging Site with cPanel

What Is a WordPress Staging Site?

A staging site is a cloned copy of your live website used for testing changes before they go live. It allows you to make modifications without affecting your production site, helping to prevent errors, downtime, and a poor user experience. Typically hosted on a subdomain, a staging site contains the same data and files as your live site but is not publicly accessible.

Using a staging site is essential for ensuring that updates and changes don't disrupt your live website.

Why Do You Need a Staging Site?

For businesses relying on their WordPress or WooCommerce sites, editing the live installation can be risky. Staging sites provide a safe environment for:

• Testing new landing pages.

• Checking updates for compatibility issues.

• Modifying themes or code.

• Allowing developers to work without impacting the live site.

Steps to Create a Staging Site in cPanel

Step 1: Create a Subdomain in cPanel

1. Log in to cPanel.

2. Click on "Subdomains" in the Domains section.

3. Enter a name for your subdomain (e.g., test) and click "Create."

4. Note the location of the staging folder in your directory.

Ensure the subdomain name reflects its purpose (e.g., staging or test) for easy identification.

Step 2: Copy the Database Using phpMyAdmin

1. Access phpMyAdmin from the Databases section of cPanel.

2. Select your database (found in wp-config.php).

3. Click on the "Export" tab, choose "Quick" and select SQL format.

4. Click "Go" to download a copy of your database.

Always back up your database before making significant changes to prevent data loss.

Step 3: Create a New Database and User

1. Click on "MySQL Databases" in the Databases section.

2. Create a new database and a new user with a strong password.

3. Add the user to the database, granting all privileges.

4. Import the database into the new database:

   • Select the new database in phpMyAdmin.

   • Click on "Import," choose your SQL file, and click "Go."

5. Update the URLs in the wp_options table (change home and siteurl to your subdomain).

Step 4: Copy Website Files

1. Go to File Manager in cPanel and navigate to the public_html folder.

2. Select all files and click "Copy." Enter the destination directory for your new subdomain.

3. Edit the wp-config.php file in the new directory:

   • Update database name, user, and password.

   • Save changes.

You've successfully cloned your site files! Now it's time to configure your new staging environment.

Step 5: Create an A Record for the Subdomain

1. Add an A record in your DNS provider pointing to your server's IP address.

2. Once DNS propagation completes, your staging site will be accessible at the subdomain.

It may take some time for DNS changes to propagate, so be patient while your staging site becomes available.

Additional Steps

• Replace URLs: Use a plugin like Better Search Replace to update URLs in the database from the old domain to the new subdomain.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Staging Sites

Advantages

• Risk-free testing: Safe environment for modifications without affecting the live site.

• Early error detection: Helps catch issues before they go live.

• Flexible configuration: Can be set up locally or online.

• Improved output: Thorough testing leads to better website quality.

Disadvantages

• Initial complexity: Can be challenging for beginners.

• Potential costs: May require additional plugins or hosting.

• Time-consuming: Changes must be replicated on the live site.

Conclusion

Staging sites are essential for testing changes and updates to WordPress. The process of creating a staging site in cPanel is straightforward and prevents the risks associated with direct edits to a live website. For further assistance, your support team is available to help with cPanel functionality.

Always ensure your staging site is not indexed by search engines to prevent duplicate content issues.

Expert Tip

Thoroughly test all changes on your staging site before pushing them to production to ensure a seamless user experience.