What Is a WordPress Staging Site?

A staging site is a cloned copy of a production website used to test changes before deploying them to the live site. This environment allows you to make alterations without affecting the live version, helping catch errors and prevent downtime or a negative user experience. Typically, a staging site has the same data and files as the production site but is hosted on a separate subdomain and is not publicly accessible.

Why Do You Need a Staging Site?

For businesses relying on their WordPress site or WooCommerce store, editing the live installation can be risky. Staging sites (also referred to as development or testing sites) provide a safe alternative, allowing for thorough testing of any significant changes before going live. Here are some scenarios where a staging site is beneficial:

• Testing New Features: Ensuring that new landing pages or features work correctly before customers access them.
• Plugin and Theme Updates: Checking compatibility of updates with existing site elements.
• Theme Development: Creating a new theme or modifying an existing one without impacting the live site.
• Code Modifications: Adding new functionalities without exposing the production site to potential issues.
• Developer Collaboration: Allowing developers and designers to work on the site without granting access to the live environment.

Steps to Create a Staging Site Using cPanel

1. Create a Subdomain in cPanel:

   • Log in to your cPanel account.
   • Click on "Subdomains" in the Domains section.
   • Enter a name for your subdomain (e.g., test) and click "Create."

2. Copy the Database Using phpMyAdmin:

   • Access phpMyAdmin from the Databases section of cPanel.
   • Select your database and use the "Export" feature to download a copy of it.

3. Create a New Database User:

   • Click "MySQL Databases" in cPanel.
   • Create a new database user and assign it to your new database, granting all privileges.

4. Copy Website Files:

   • Use File Manager or FTP to copy all files from the production site to the new subdomain directory.
   • Update the wp-config.php file with the new database details.

5. Create an A Record for the Subdomain:

   • Add an A record to your DNS settings, pointing it to the IP address of your server.
   • Use a plugin like Better Search Replace to update URLs in the database if necessary.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Staging Sites

Advantages:

• Risk-Free Environment: Test changes without jeopardizing the live site.
• Error Prevention: Identify and fix critical issues before going live.
• Flexible Setup: Can be configured locally or online based on needs.
• Improved Output: Thorough testing leads to a more polished final product.

Disadvantages:

• Initial Setup Complexity: May be challenging for beginners.
• Potential Costs: Setting up a staging site online might incur additional expenses.
• Time Investment: Testing changes requires time and may necessitate replicating changes on the live site.

Conclusion

Staging sites are essential for managing the frequent security threats and updates that WordPress sites face. Setting up a staging site in cPanel is relatively straightforward and less risky than undoing potentially damaging changes on a live site. For additional support or assistance with cPanel functionality, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team.

Expert Tip

Thoroughly test all changes on your staging site and address any issues before deploying them to your live production environment.