How to Create a WordPress Staging Site
When making updates to your site, it is important to avoid creating mistakes or inconveniencing the audience visiting your live WordPress website, hence the need for a staging site. A staging site is a form of a sandbox where you can afford to make changes without worrying about the visitors. It is also worth noting that changes made on the staging site before the live website is launched do not have to be published on the live site. This provides a chance to effect adjustments without interfering with the present condition of the website. This tutorial will cover the steps involved in creating, accessing, and using a WordPress staging site.
Create a Staging Site
Follow the steps given below to begin creating a WordPress staging site:
- Log in to your Account Manager via https://www.networksolutions.com/my-account/login.
- Click on WordPress on the left side menu.
- After that, scroll down to Tools in your WordPress Control Panel and select Site Staging.
- A list of your live WordPress sites will appear. Click on > Create Staging Site for the site you want to duplicate.
You will see a green banner confirming that your staging site is being created. Please wait for up to 10 minutes for this to be completed.
Access Your Staging Site
To gain access to the staging site you have created, follow these steps:
- Log in to your Account Manager via https://www.networksolutions.com/my-account/login.
- Click on WordPress on the left side menu.
- After that, scroll down to Tools in your WordPress Control Panel and select Site Staging.
- Click on the link that appears under the Staging Admin Panel Login column, and you will be redirected to a login page.
- Enter your login credentials (Username or Email Address and Password), which are the same credentials you use for your live website, and click on the Log In button.
- Once you are logged in, you can proceed to make the necessary updates to your staging site before publishing them live on your website.
It is important to note that your staging site functions similarly to your production/live site.
Publish Your Staging Site
When you are all set to make your staging site live, here are the steps you need to follow:
- Log in to your Account Manager via https://www.networksolutions.com/my-account/login.
- Click on Wordpress on the left side menu.
- Go to your WordPress Control Panel and locate the Tools section. Click on Site Staging.
- Now, click on > Publish staging site to your live site.
- A green banner will appear on your screen, saying that information from your site is being copied to your live site. Depending on your site's size, this may take up to 30 minutes.
Wait for the given time frame and check your live website for the changes you made.
Remove Your Staging Site
Follow the steps below to remove your staging site:
- Log in to your Account Manager via https://www.networksolutions.com/my-account/login.
- Click on WordPress on the left side menu.
- Go to your WordPress Control Panel and locate the Tools section. Click on Site Staging.
- Click > Remove Staging site and read the information in the pop-up window carefully.
- If you're sure you want to proceed, click on the Continue button.
- After successful deletion, you'll see a green banner saying that your WordPress staging site was successfully removed. There may be up to a 10-minute processing delay before you can see the changes.
Use Plugins
Another way to create a WordPress staging site is by using plugins.
- To access your staging site, follow the instructions provided in the Access tab if it's your first time.
- From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins and select Add New.
- Search for a plugin that can create a staging site for you, such as WP Staging.
- For more information on how to install and use this plugin, check out the WP Staging article.
Additionally, you can refer to this WP support article for guidance on selecting the best plugins for your WordPress site.