This article explains how to create a WordPress staging site on your Linux-Based Hosting account, allowing you to safely test changes without affecting your live website.
A staging site is a copy of your live WordPress site in a separate environment where you can try to update, modify themes or plugins, and troubleshoot issues before applying them to your production site.
Creating WordPress staging site
You can create a WordPress staging site in two ways, depending on your Linux-Based Hosting plan. Current plans use the Linux Control Panel within your account manager, while classic or older plans use cPanel through WordPress Manager by Softaculous.
Locate the website that you want to manage and click on SETTINGS. This will open the Linux Website Manager.
Go to the Quick Links section and click on STAGING. This opens the Crazy Domains plugin settings within your WordPress Dashboard.
Scroll down to the Staging section and on the Staging Site row, click on the Create staging site button.
Once the staging is created, you can click on the Staging Site button to switch to the Staging environment.
Deploying WordPress staging to production site
Once you're satisfied with your changes in the staging environment, you can push or deploy them to production. To deploy staging site to production, follow these steps:
IMPORTANT. Make sure you are editing the staging site.
In your WordPress staging Admin Dashboard, click Crazy Domains on the left sidebar. This will open the other options on the sidebar.
Click on Settings.
Scroll down to the Staging section and click on it.
On the right side of the Staging Site row, select a deployment action:
Deploy all changes
Deploy files only
Deploy database only
Click the Deploy site icon. Wait for the system to copy your staging site to production.
Congratulations! Your changes have been deployed to your live website now!
If you've installed your WordPress site via WordPress Manager by Softaculous, follow these steps on how to create a staging for your WordPress site.
On the left side of your cPanel, click on WordPress Manager by Softaculous. This opens the WordPress Management page.
Locate the WordPress installation that you want to manage and click on the dropdown arrow to view the options.
Scroll down to the bottom and click on the Staging button.
Look for the Installation URL and enter a directory name in the In Directory field. This ensures you are not overwriting your existing website directory.
Click on the Create Staging button at the bottom of the page.
Once done, your staging site will appear on your WordPress Management page.
Deploying WordPress staging to production site
Once you're satisfied with your changes in the staging environment, you can push or deploy them to production. To deploy staging site to production, follow these steps:
In your Softaculous WordPress Management page, locate your staging site.
Click on the dropdown arrow to see the options.
Scroll down to the bottom and click on the Push to Live button.
On the next page, review the details and click on the Push to Live button again to confirm. Wait for the system to copy your staging site to production.
Congratulations! Your changes have been deployed to your live website now!