Table of contents

Why clone a WordPress site? Method 1: Clone a WordPress site Method 2: Manually clone Additional steps after cloning Choosing between subdomain, subdirectory, or separate domain How to automate FAQs Getting started

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WordPress Guide → Development → Clone Site

How to clone a WordPress site

Cloning a WordPress site means creating an exact copy of your existing website. Whether you’re migrating to a new host, building a staging environment, or backing up your site, cloning ensures you have a reliable duplicate to work with.

Let’s walk through both plugin-based and manual methods, plus everything you should know before and after cloning.

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Why clone a WordPress site?

Before jumping into the how-to, it’s helpful to know the why. Cloning is useful for:

Migrating your website to a new hosting provider.
Setting up a staging site to test new features safely.
Creating a backup before major changes or redesigns.
Duplicating a site for client work or templating.

Method 1: Clone a WordPress site using a plugin (Duplicator)

This is the easiest method, especially for beginners or larger sites.

1. Install and activate the Duplicator plugin

Go to your WordPress dashboard → Plugins → Add New → search for “Duplicator.” Install and activate it.

2. Create a new package

Navigate to Duplicator → Packages and click Create New. Follow the prompts to scan your site and bundle your files and database.

3. Download the archive and installer

Once the package is built, download the archive.zip and installer.php files to your local computer.

4. Prepare your new hosting environment

Set up a new folder, subdomain, or hosting account. Create a fresh MySQL database and user. Make note of the credentials.

5. Upload files to the new location

Use FTP or your file manager to upload both the archive and installer file to the new server or domain directory.

6. Run the installer script

Visit yourdomain.com/installer.php in your browser. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the cloned site and connect it to your new database.

7. Update settings and permalinks

Log in to the cloned WordPress site and go to Settings → Permalinks to reset links. Double-check the wp-config.php file for any path or DB mismatches.

Method 2: manually clone a WordPress site

The manual method gives you more control, but takes more time and effort.

1. Copy your WordPress files

Use an FTP client like FileZilla to download all files from your current site. Save them to a folder on your computer.

2. Export your database

Access phpMyAdmin in your hosting panel or go to Tools → Export in WordPress. Download the SQL file of your entire database.

3. Set up a new environment

On your destination server, create a new folder (or domain) and set up a fresh MySQL database and user.

4. Upload your files

Use FTP or your control panel’s file manager to upload the WordPress files you previously downloaded.

5. Import the database

Go to phpMyAdmin and import the SQL file into the new database you just created.

6. Update wp-config.php

Edit the wp-config.php file in the cloned site and input the new database name, username, and password.

7. Update the site URL

Use a plugin like Better Search Replace or directly update the siteurl and home values in the wp_options table to reflect the new domain or subdomain.

Additional steps after cloning

Once the clone is complete, take these extra steps to ensure stability and performance.

Test your cloned site

Click through all major pages, forms, and menus. Test your contact forms, search, ecommerce checkout, and admin login to make sure everything functions.

Check for broken links and images

Use a plugin like Broken Link Checker to scan your cloned site for outdated links or missing media.

Secure the new site

If it’s public-facing, install a security plugin like Wordfence or iThemes Security. Update all passwords and reconfigure SSL certificates if needed.

Update internal links and media paths

Run a search-and-replace to update internal URLs that might still point to the original domain. The Better Search Replace plugin works well for this.

Choosing between subdomain, subdirectory, or separate domain

Where you put your cloned site depends on its purpose:

Subdomain (clone.example.com) is great for testing or staging environments.
Subdirectory (example.com/clone) is useful for internal previews.
New domain is best for full migrations or white-labeled versions of the original site.

Be sure to adjust DNS records, set up SSL, and configure redirects appropriately based on your choice.

How to automate regular cloning or backups

For users who need ongoing cloning for testing or backup, automation helps.

Use a managed backup tool

Backup plugins like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault can clone and back up your site on a schedule.

Connect to remote storage

Configure your backup plugin to send cloned site files to Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3.

Integrate with staging environments

Hosts with staging tools often provide one-click clone-to-staging features. You can also use services like WP Stagecoach or LocalWP for local clones.

FAQ

You can clone a full WordPress site using a plugin like Duplicator or by manually copying files and exporting/importing the database. The process involves packaging your site files and database, setting up a new server or domain, uploading your files, and importing your database.

Yes, WordPress sites can be duplicated easily using plugins or manual methods. This is commonly done for staging, migrations, or creating site templates.

To clone a single page, use a plugin like Duplicate Page or Yoast Duplicate Post. These add a “Duplicate” link to each page in your Pages list.

Next steps for cloning a WordPress site

Cloning your WordPress site gives you flexibility, peace of mind, and a solid backup plan. Whether you’re building a staging environment or preparing for a host migration, it’s a must-have skill.

If you’re ready to clone your site, start with the Duplicator plugin or check if your host provides a one-click cloning feature. Test thoroughly and secure the cloned version before making it public.

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