Creating a Perfect Copy: How to Clone a WordPress Site Safely

Cloning your WordPress site creates an operational twin on a different server, maintaining all its features yet hidden from the public eye.

It’s like having an undercover version, ready for tests or changes without affecting the live site.

You could set up a cloned copy of your site on a server you want to migrate to. You’ll have time to get everything set up in the new location while your old site is still up.

I’d also recommend using cloning for staging and development. Design agencies use it to work on clients’ sites without affecting their live visitors.

You might think cloning is complex, but you can do it in just a few minutes!

Here are the key takeaways:

• Cloning creates a fully functional duplicate of your WordPress site that operates independently from your live site, perfect for testing changes without risk
• Cloning is different from backing up. Clones are active and functional, while backups are dormant copies for restoration
• Common use cases include: staging environments for safe testing, migrating to new hosts without downtime, and creating development copies for web agencies
• Use the Duplicator plugin (1.5+ million active installations) to automate the entire cloning process and avoid manual errors
• The 5-step process takes just minutes: install Duplicator, create a backup, upload files to your new server, create a database, and run the installer

Table of Contents

Quick Summary: How to Clone a WordPress Site

When Do You Need to Clone a WordPress Site?

Cloning involves saving a copy of your website in a new location. This is an exact copy that’s fully operational.

Although this might seem similar to a backup, there is an important difference.

When you back up your site, you’ll save a dormant, inactive copy. If you accidentally break something on your live site, you can restore this saved backup.

A clone is an exact duplicate of the WordPress site, except it’s independent and fully functional. You can change the site clone without affecting your live website.

On a cloned staging site, you can perform a complete redesign, install updates, add new software, and edit files without breaking your live site. 

If you’re moving to a new web host or domain, you can clone the original site and set up the cloned version on the new server. This prevents any downtime that could harm your User Experience (UX). 

Website clones can also be helpful for web developers.

Instead of working on the live site, you can clone your client’s website to a subdomain. Using this staging environment, you’ll be able to make changes safely.

How to Clone a WordPress Site

As a beginner, cloning may seem like a difficult process. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through every step of the way!

Here’s how to clone your WordPress site:

• Download a cloning plugin: Manually cloning your site is difficult and error-prone. For the smoothest experience, use a plugin like Duplicator.

• Create a backup: Package your site into a single, moveable backup file.

• Move your files: Upload your backup files to the new server.

• Set up the database: Creatre a new database and database user for your cloned site.

• Run the installation: Start the Duplicator installer to finish setting up your original files on the new site.

Step 1: Download a Cloning Plugin

To start cloning your website, I’d recommend installing Duplicator. With over 1.5 million active installations, this plugin is the most popular option for WordPress cloning.

Using Duplicator, you can copy your WordPress site to a different domain, web host, or local environment.

You won’t have to manually download or upload data. Plus, you won’t suffer from any downtime.

Rock Lobster Webdesign is a digital agency that learned how to boost design efficiency with Duplicator. See how they clone clients’ sites for safe testing!

First, choose your preferred license for Duplicator Pro. Although you can download a free version, the premium subscriptions include drag-and-drop migrations, cloud storage, automatic backups, and much more.

Once you download Duplicator, install it in your WordPress dashboard.

During checkout, you’ll get a license key for Duplicator Pro. Before you start using the plugin, go to Duplicator Pro » Settings » General.

Paste your key into the License Key settings.

Step 2: Create a Backup

After activating Duplicator, you’ll need to create a backup. This will bundle together your plugins, themes, database, and other WordPress files.

Once you compile all your data into a single zip file, you can easily migrate it to a different location. 

First, find Duplicator » Backups » Add New.

On the next page, give the backup a name. Then, choose a storage location.

With Duplicator Pro, you can connect cloud storage providers like:

• Duplicator Cloud
• Google Drive
• Microsoft OneDrive
• Dropbox
• Amazon S3
• Wasabi
• Google Cloud
• DreamObjects
• Vultr
• DigitalOcean Spaces
• Cloudflare R2
• Backblaze B2
• FTP

In the Backup section, choose which site components you want to include. For a fully cloned copy, select Full Site.

After you click Next, Duplicator will scan your website. Even if you see a notice, you can continue with the build process. Hit Create Backup.

On the Backups page, you’ll see an Installer file and an Archive zip file. Before you move on to the next step, download both of these.

Duplicator is also a WordPress backup plugin. Once you download your site’s backup files, you can restore these files whenever you need to. 

You could also consider setting up automatic backups so you always have a cloned copy on hand.

Step 3: Upload the Cloned Files to Your New Server

Once you have a copy of your WordPress site, it’s time to upload it to a different location.

If you’ve already installed WordPress, open your dashboard and install Duplicator Pro. Then, find the Import Backups page and upload your backup’s archive file.

However, you don’t have to have WordPress installed!

Using Duplicator, you can upload your backup to a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client or cPanel. You’ll install the site on a completely empty directory, saving time.

If you choose to use an FTP client, I’d recommend FileZilla. This free software makes it easy to connect to your site files and start editing them.

At the top of the FileZilla window, enter your host name, username, password, and port number. You can find this information in your WordPress hosting dashboard.

After you hit Quickconnect, you’ll see your site files on the right-hand side. Next, open the root directory, which is the public_html folder. Here, upload your Duplicator backup files.

You should see both an installer.php file and a zip file containing your WordPress data. Be sure to delete any other files from your public_html folder. 

Step 4: Create a Database for Your Cloned Site

After you’ve uploaded your cloned files, it’s time to create a new database to store its data. This will allow Duplicator to move information from your old database to the new one.

Your web host will likely allow you to edit your database from your control panel. For example, Bluehost has a setting for MySQL Databases.

After clicking on this, look for the option to create a new database. Give it a name and click on Create Database.

Now, you’ll need to add a new user to the database. In the MySQL Users section, enter a new username and password.

You’ll also need to assign that user to the new database.

For the next step, be sure to remember your database information!

Step 5: Run the Duplicator Installer

Finally, open a new browser window. In the search bar, enter your full web address followed by ‘installer.php’. Here’s an example:

https://yourdomain.com/installer.php

On the Duplicator installation page, find the Setup section. Here, enter your new host name, database name, username, and password.

Then, scroll to the bottom and hit Validate. Duplicator will test your database connection. If everything is working correctly, select the terms and notices checkbox and click Next.

Duplicator will import your database and finish the installation. If it is successful, you’ll see an Admin Login button.

With one click, you can log into the WordPress dashboard for your new site! This new WordPress installation will look and function exactly like the original website. 

If you’re migrating your site permanently, you’ll need to update the wp-config.php file to reflect the new hosting information.

Be sure to also implement 301 redirects and inform Google about the change, so that you don’t lose any SEO ranking.

For more information, see our full migration checklist!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Now you’ll be able to update your domain during the migration. Simply enter your old domain in the Search field and the new one underneath it.

Duplicator will automatically import all of your old data into the new site. Plus, it’ll search your database for the old domain and update it with the new one.

Create a Perfect Copy of Your WordPress Site

You now hold the keys to effortlessly cloning your site, safeguarding your website’s integrity through seamless testing and migrations.

Are you ready to clone your existing website? Download Duplicator Pro to quickly create copies of your site and move them wherever you need to!

While you’re here, you may like these extra WordPress tips, tricks, and guides:

• 9 Best Plugins to Clone a WordPress Site (Expert Pick)
• 20 Most Common WordPress Errors (And Some Quick Fixes)
• How Much Does It Cost to Migrate a WordPress Site?
• How to Copy a WordPress Website (4 Methods)
• How to Copy a WordPress Database
• How to Download Your Entire WordPress Site