Short link: http://exact.help/wp-staging-in-softaculous
Before getting started:
- If you have already installed WordPress manually, you will have to import the installation to Softaculous.
- Please note, some plugin and theme licenses with not be compatible with Softaculous staging.
In this article:
- What is WordPress website staging?
- Creating the staging environment
- Editing your staging site
- Publishing your staged site
What is WordPress website staging?
Wordpress staging is a way to clone your live website for the purpose of testing and developing. Using a staging site can help catch errors created when plugin, theme or version updates are applied. Staging can also be used as a way to develop a new website, while keeping the current site live.
Creating the staging environment
1. Login to your cPanel hosting account.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the cPanel home page and select the WordPress "W" icon under Softaculous Apps Installer
3. Under the Current Installations list, select the first icon under Options for Create Staging for the domain you'd like to stage.
4. Fill out the staging site installation details and select the Create Staging button.
1. Site Protocol
2. Domain name being staged
3. The directory the staging site will be located in
4. Database name
Additional notes:
- You will receive the staging installation details via email if email notifications on WordPress are enabled.
- The admin/user account login details will be the same as the source installation.
Editing your staging site
Since the admin credentials for the staging site are also duplicated from the primary site installation, you can login via any browser by adding /wp-admin to the end of your site.
Example: https://www.domain.com/stagingsite/wp-admin
Alternatively, you can use the auto login from Softaculous, found under the Current Installations list.
Publishing your staged site
Softaculous should create a backup during the push process, however it is recommended to create and download a backup before pushing any content.
1. Login to your cPanel hosting account.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the cPanel home page and select the WordPress "W" icon under Softaculous Apps Installer
3. Under the Current Installations list, select the Push to Live button to the right of staging site under Options.
4. Select the Push to Live option you want to use, make any necessary selections if using the custom push option and select Push to Live.
Push to Live options:
Default: The Default Options tab is the first choice you'll be presented with. Using this option will replace the files of your existing live installation with the files in the staging installation, along with replacing the live database with an import from staging site database.
Customize: The customize tab will allow you to select what is pushed to the live site from staging, including specific database row and table options.
*It may take several minutes for this process to complete
5. After the updates have been made live, clear your browser cache and cookies and double check the live site is working as expected.
Additional Questions?
Please reach out to support by submitting a ticket via your account if you need any additional assistance setting up your staging site.