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Why clone a WordPress site? Using a plugin Manually clone Extra step FAQs Getting started

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How to clone a WordPress site

Need to test a plugin, redesign your layout, or migrate to a new host? Cloning your WordPress site is the safest way to work without putting your live site at risk. You can create an exact copy of your website using a plugin or go manual if you want full control.

Let’s walk through both options and help you find the best approach.

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Why clone a WordPress site?

Cloning lets you duplicate your entire WordPress site, including files, themes, plugins, and database content. Here’s why it’s a common workflow:

Backups: A clone acts as a manual backup and can be restored if your live site breaks.
Testing: Try new features, plugins, or themes without affecting your real visitors.
Development: Build and test custom code in a separate dev environment.
Migration: Move your site from one domain or host to another with all content intact.

Clone a WordPress site using a plugin

The easiest method is to use a plugin that handles packaging, copying, and restoring your site. Many cloning plugins are beginner-friendly and require no code.

Popular WordPress cloning plugins

Duplicator: Great for site migration and backups.
WP STAGING: Ideal for creating safe testing environments.
WP Migrate Lite: Focused on exporting and replacing database URLs.

Steps using Duplicator as an example

Install and activate Duplicator. Go to Plugins → Add New, search for “Duplicator,” and click Install, then Activate.
Create a new site package. In the Duplicator menu, select “Create New.” Run the site scan and follow the prompts to build the package.
Download the package and installer. Once complete, download both the archive file and installer.php. These two files make up your site clone.
Upload to the destination server. Use FTP or your host’s file manager to upload the archive and installer to the root directory of your new site.
Run the installer. Visit yournewdomain.com/installer.php and follow the setup steps. You’ll enter database credentials and confirm settings.
Log in and update your settings. After installation, log in to wp-admin, flush permalinks (Settings → Permalinks → Save), and double-check that everything copied correctly.

Manually clone a WordPress site

This method gives you more control and works well for developers or advanced users who don’t want to rely on plugins.

1. Download WordPress files from the source site

Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or your hosting file manager to download all the files in your site’s root directory. Be sure to include hidden files like .htaccess.

2. Export the database

Log into your hosting control panel and open phpMyAdmin. Select your site’s database and click “Export.” Use the “Quick” method and format as SQL.

3. Create a new database on the destination server

In cPanel or your host’s panel, create a new MySQL database and user. Assign all privileges to the new user.

4. Upload files to the new server

Using FTP, upload your previously downloaded WordPress files to the public root directory of the new location.

5. Import the database

Open phpMyAdmin for the new database and click “Import.” Choose your .sql file and complete the upload.

6. Update wp-config.php

Edit the wp-config.php file in your new site to match the new database name, username, and password:

define( 'DB_NAME', 'your_new_db_name' ); define( 'DB_USER', 'your_new_db_user' ); define( 'DB_PASSWORD', 'your_new_db_password' ); define( 'DB_HOST', 'localhost' ); // usually localhost

7. Update domain URLs in the database

If you’ve changed domains, use the Better Search Replace plugin or a MySQL command to update old URLs in the database.

Extra step: test your cloned WordPress site

Before calling it done, test your new site thoroughly:

Visit pages and posts to ensure they load properly.
Log in to the dashboard and check for plugin or theme issues.
Re-save your permalink settings.
Use a staging URL if possible to avoid search engine indexing until you’re ready.

WordPress cloning FAQs

The easiest way is to use a plugin like Duplicator. It packages your entire site and database into a downloadable file that you can install on a new server. You can also manually copy files and export/import the database if you prefer more control.

To duplicate a single page, use a plugin like Duplicate Page. After installing it, go to Pages, hover over the one you want, and click “Duplicate.” This is useful for reusing layouts or testing variations.

Yes. WordPress cloning includes your content, settings, theme files, and media. You can create a perfect duplicate of your site on the same server (staging), a different host (migration), or your local environment for development.

Not completely. You’ll need access to at least the files (via FTP) and database (via cPanel or phpMyAdmin) to create a full clone. Without admin access, you may be able to scrape public content, but you can’t copy plugin settings, users, or backend data.

Next steps for cloning a WordPress site

Cloning your WordPress site is a must-know skill for testing, backups, and seamless migrations. Whether you’re using a plugin like Duplicator or diving into manual methods, each approach gives you the tools to duplicate and protect your work.

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