Table of contents

Why avoid overwriting the database when pushing staging to live? 1. Back up both live and staging sites first 2. Use WP Staging for file-only deployment 3. Use Duplicator Pro for controlled migration 4. Manually sync files via FTP (advanced users only) 5. Use Git-based or automated deployment tools 6. Clean up and test after pushing changes 7. Common mistakes to avoid Bonus: Use a content sync plugin to merge only what you need Getting started

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WordPress Guide → Development → Push a Staging Site

How to push a (WordPress) staging site without overwriting the database

Unlocking the benefits of bare metal containers.

Made changes on your WordPress staging site but worried about breaking your live site when you deploy? Good news: it’s absolutely possible to push those updates without touching your live database—and you don’t need to be a developer to do it.

Let’s walk through your best options step-by-step, whether you’re using a plugin or syncing files manually.

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Why avoid overwriting the database when pushing staging to live?

Your database stores all your content, settings, plugin configurations, and user data. The live database is constantly changing, especially on sites with comments, sales, memberships, or form submissions. If you overwrite it with a staging version, you could:

Erase real customer data or form entries.
Revert important settings back to an older version.
Break your live site’s functionality.

That’s why the safest approach is to only push the files you changed—such as themes, plugins, or media—and leave the live database intact.

1. Back up both live and staging sites first

Before you push anything, take a full backup of both your staging and live sites. If something goes wrong, you can roll everything back.

Here’s how:

Install a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or Solid Backups.
From your WordPress dashboard, go to the plugin’s settings and run a manual backup of both the database and files.
Save copies of those backups to an offsite location like Google Drive, Dropbox, or your computer.

If you’re on a managed hosting for WordPress plan, you may already have automatic daily backups. Check your hosting dashboard to confirm.

2. Use WP Staging for file-only deployment

WP Staging is one of the easiest tools for beginners. It clones your live site into a staging version and lets you push back only what you want—like plugin or theme files—without touching the live database.

Steps to push safely using WP Staging Pro:

Install and activate the WP Staging plugin on your live site.
Use the plugin to create a staging site.
Make your changes on the staging version—update themes, edit CSS, test plugins, etc.
When ready, go to WP Staging > Staging Sites > Push Changes.
In the push wizard, deselect the database option. This ensures only file changes are pushed.
Double-check that only the necessary files (e.g., themes, plugins) are selected.
Click Start Pushing.

WP Staging Pro (paid version) is required for pushing changes. The free version only lets you create the staging site.

Why it’s beginner-friendly:

You don’t need FTP or database access.
Everything is done from your WordPress dashboard.
Built-in safeguards prevent overwriting core files.

3. Use Duplicator Pro for controlled migration

Duplicator Pro is mainly used for site migrations and backups, but it also works for selective deployments from staging to live.

This method is slightly more technical but still manageable with careful attention.

Steps to use Duplicator Pro without overwriting the database:

Install Duplicator Pro on your staging site.
Create a new Package of your staging site:
- Choose only files to include in the package. Uncheck the database if you want to avoid overwriting.
- You can also exclude media files if they haven’t changed.
Download the generated installer.php and archive file.
Upload them to your live site’s root folder using an FTP client or your hosting file manager.
Run the installer (yourdomain.com/installer.php) and follow the prompts.
When asked about database import, choose “Do Not Install Database” or skip the SQL import file.
Complete the migration wizard and test the live site.

Tip: Always check the settings and paths before pushing. Duplicator gives you more flexibility, but that means more room for mistakes.

4. Manually sync files via FTP (advanced users only)

If you’re confident using FTP or SFTP, you can manually copy only the updated files from staging to live. This is ideal for small changes like editing theme files or uploading custom scripts.

To manually push changes:

Connect to your staging site via FTP using a tool like FileZilla.
Locate the folders you’ve modified—usually inside /wp-content/themes/your-theme or /wp-content/plugins/your-plugin.
Download those folders or files to your computer.
Connect to your live site via FTP.
Carefully upload the updated files to the same folder, overwriting the old versions.

Do not touch these files unless you know what you’re doing:

wp-config.php
Anything in /wp-admin or /wp-includes
The entire database

Pros:

Gives full control
No plugins needed

Cons:

No rollback unless you manually saved backups
Easy to break things if you upload the wrong file

5. Use Git-based or automated deployment tools

If you’re working with a team or using version control, Git-based deployment can be a powerful option.

Tools to consider:

Buddy.works
GitHub Actions + Deploy scripts

These tools let you:

Commit only changed files (no database).
Push code from a Git branch to the live server.
Automate deployment workflows and rollback.

Setup is more advanced and usually requires SSH access or a host that supports Git-based deployments.

Who this is for: Developers or teams with Git experience who want precise control and automation.

6. Clean up and test after pushing changes

Once your push is complete, you’re not done yet. A few post-deployment steps ensure everything runs smoothly.

Post-push checklist:

Clear all caches: Purge any caching plugins (like W3 Total Cache, WP Rocket) and server/CDN caches (Cloudflare, host-level).
Resave permalinks: Go to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress and click Save Changes to refresh URL rules.
Check internal links: Make sure no links point to the staging URL.
Run a full test: Check pages, forms, checkout flows, login functionality, and any interactive elements.
Monitor for errors: Use a plugin like WP Debugging or check your host’s error logs.

7. Common mistakes to avoid

These errors can cause data loss or site outages:

Pushing the staging database by accident.
Forgetting to backup before pushing.
Uploading to the wrong folder via FTP.
Overwriting wp-config.php, which breaks your live configuration.
Pushing during peak traffic times, increasing risk of downtime.

Always double-check your paths, files, and push settings before executing.

Bonus: Use a content sync plugin to merge only what you need

Sometimes you need to push some database changes—like new ACF fields or plugin settings—but not the entire database. In that case, use a selective sync plugin.

Options include:

These plugins let you:

Sync only specific database tables (like wp_options or wp_postmeta).
Push ACF field changes, plugin settings, or CPT content.
Avoid syncing users, orders, or form entries.

They’re especially useful when your staging work involves content modeling or advanced plugin setup.

Next steps for pushing a staging site without overwriting the database

Pushing a staging site without touching the database protects your live content, users, and settings—while still letting you deploy design or code updates safely.

If you’re new to staging workflows, start with a plugin like WP Staging or Duplicator Pro. As your skills grow, consider manual syncs, Git deployments, or selective DB sync tools for more flexibility.

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