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Cloning a WordPress website online can seem a piece technical at the beginning, but in case you’re like most WordPress customers, you’ve probably encountered conditions wherein it’s essential. Whether you’re migrating your web page, putting in place a staging surroundings, or honestly creating a backup, knowing the way to clone your WordPress web page will save you a whole lot of time and stress.Let’s destroy it down step by step how to clone a website in wordpress, in a way that every body can comply with—even in case you’re no longer a tech whiz!

how to clone a website in wordpress

Why Would You Want to Clone a WordPress Website?

You is probably questioning, “Why could I want to clone my website?” Well, here are some not unusual situations wherein this is available in accessible:

  • Migrating to a New Host: Moving your internet site to a new website hosting company without causing downtime or records loss.
  • Creating a Staging Site: Want to check out new designs, plugins, or updates? A staging web page is a exceptional way to mess around with modifications without affecting your stay site.
  • Website Backup: Cloning your web page can act as a complete backup in case something goes wrong in the future.
  • Redesigning Your Site: If you’re planning a main redesign, it’s less complicated to work on a duplicate of your web page in preference to experimenting at the live model.

Whatever your reason, the coolest news is that cloning a WordPress web page isn’t as tough as it sounds. Let’s dive in!

Method 1: Using a Plugin to Clone Your WordPress Site

The easiest and maximum not unusual manner to clone a WordPress website online is with the aid of the use of a plugin. You don’t want to be a developer to apply this technique—just a few clicks, and also you’re good to move. One of the exceptional plugins for that is Duplicator. It’s dependable and does all of the heavy lifting for you.

Steps to Clone Your Site Using Duplicator:

  1. Install and Activate Duplicator:
  • From your WordPress dashboard, visit Plugins > Add New, and look for “Duplicator.”
  • Install and prompt the plugin.
  1. Create a New Backup Package:
  • After activation, go to the Duplicator tab and choose Create New.
  • The plugin will guide you via creating a backup of your site, which includes all files and the database.
  1. Build the Package:
  • Once you comply with the activates, the plugin will begin constructing the backup package. This might take a few minutes relying for your internet site length.
  1. Download Your Package:
  • After the backup is built, down load the two files: Installer.Php and the Archive ZIP document.
  1. Upload to Your New Site or Server:
  • Now, upload each documents (the installer and the archive) to the destination server in which you want to clone your website online. You can use FTP or your hosting’s report supervisor.
  1. Run the Installer:
  • Once uploaded, get entry to the installer.Hypertext Preprocessor document for your browser (something like yournewsite.Com/installer.Personal home page).
  • Follow the installer’s steps, and it’s going to robotically set up your cloned web page!

And just like that, your WordPress website online is cloned with minimum attempt. Pretty smooth, right?

Method 2: Manually Cloning Your WordPress Website

If you opt to have full control over the system, you may additionally manually clone your website. This technique is greater hands-on however isn’t too difficult if you’re snug the usage of FTP and phpMyAdmin.

Here’s how to do it manually:

  1. Download Your Site’s Files:
  • First, hook up with your website the use of an FTP client (like FileZilla) or through your internet host’s document supervisor.
  • Download the complete WordPress directory for your computer, which include important folders like wp-content.
  1. Export Your Database:
  • Log in to phpMyAdmin through your web hosting’s control panel.
  • Select your internet site’s database, click on Export, and down load the .Sq. report.
  1. Upload the Files to Your New Server:
  • Use FTP to upload the WordPress documents you downloaded to the brand new server or destination.
  • Make positive the listing is set up successfully, similar to your original site.
  1. Create a New Database:
  • In the new server’s phpMyAdmin, create a brand new database and import the .Square record you exported in advance.
  • Update the wp-config.Personal home page record with the brand new database details (you’ll discover this report to your WordPress listing).
  1. Update URLs (If Needed):
  • If you’re shifting to a new domain or subdomain, make sure to update the web page URLs. You can do that both without delay via phpMyAdmin (within the wp_options desk) or via the usage of a plugin like Better Search Replace.
  1. Test Your New Site:
  • Once you’ve completed the above steps, visit your new website online’s URL to ensure everything is running. If all went properly, your web site ought to look equal to the unique!

Method three: Cloning Using Your Web Host’s Tools

Some website hosting providers make cloning even easier by offering built-in gear particularly designed for this cause. Hosting organizations like SiteGround, Bluehost, and WP Engine provide equipment to create staging websites or clone your WordPress site with some clicks.

Steps to Clone Your Site Using Web Hosting Tools:

  1. Log into Your Hosting Account:
  • Access your hosting dashboard (e.G., cPanel or a custom panel provided with the aid of your host).
  1. Find the Cloning or Staging Option:
  • Look for a characteristic called Clone Site or Create Staging. This feature is often available in the web site management section or under WordPress gear.
  1. Follow the Prompts:
  • Click to clone the web page and follow the stairs. Most of the heavy lifting will be carried out by the web hosting provider, and you’ll have a cloned model of your website online geared up in minutes.
  1. Test Your Clone:
  • Always check your cloned website online to make certain that the entirety works as predicted, especially in case you’re making plans to apply it for updates or layout modifications.

This approach is exceptionally clean in case your website hosting company offers it, so it’s usually well worth checking if they have this built-in characteristic.

Important Tips When Cloning a WordPress Website

  • Backup First: Before making any massive modifications or cloning your web site, usually create a complete backup of your original website.
  • Use Secure File Transfers: When transferring files manually, use secure FTP (SFTP) to keep away from any threat of facts corruption.
  • Double-Check Database Info: When editing your wp-config.Php document, make certain all the database data is accurate, or your cloned web page won’t work.

Conclusion

Cloning a WordPress website online may sound technical, but as you’ve visible, it’s in reality pretty trustworthy.