When working on a WordPress website, making changes directly to the live site can be risky. A small error could disrupt your website’s functionality and impact user experience. This is where staging sites come into play.
WordPress staging plugins offer a convenient way to create and manage staging environments, allowing you to test new features, updates, or design changes before deploying them to your live site.
In this article, we’ll explore the five best WordPress staging plugins to help you set up staging sites for your WordPress projects effortlessly.
What is a Staging Website?
A staging site is a copy of your live website situated on a different server. Its purpose is to test modifications before they go live, preventing any potential disruptions or issues for your users.
Developers and web designers typically use it to test new features, changes to the design, or bug fixes. They can also be used by businesses to test new marketing campaigns or to collect feedback from customers.
Why Do You Need a Staging Site?
A staging site is an identical copy of your live website designed for testing changes without impacting the real site. It provides a safe environment to experiment with new themes, plugins, and code modifications. This is particularly important for business websites, as any downtime or errors can lead to lost revenue and diminished online reputation.
Benefits of Using Staging Plugins:
- Test website changes without affecting the live site.
- Identify and fix bugs before they impact the active site.
- You can get feedback from customers on new features or changes.
- You can safely experiment with new ideas without risking your live site.
If you are serious about maintaining a high-quality website, then a staging website is a valuable tool. It can help you to avoid problems and ensure that your website is always up and running smoothly.
How to Create a Staging Website?
To create a staging website, you can either use a staging service or set it up yourself. Staging services make it easy to create and manage a staging website, but they can be expensive. If you are comfortable with technical tasks, you can set up a staging website yourself using a variety of tools and services.
What is the difference between Cloning and Staging a WordPress Website?
Cloning and staging a WordPress website are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings.
Cloning involves the process making an exact copy of a website using tools like plugins, scripts, or hosting services. This is useful for backup purposes and testing changes without impacting the live site. To discover how to clone your website easily, check out this article.
Staging is the process of creating a temporary copy of a website that is hosted on a separate server. This copy is used to test changes to the website before they are made live.
The main difference between cloning and staging is that a cloned website is an exact copy of the original, while a staging environment is a temporary copy that can be modified without affecting the original.
Comparing the 5 Best WordPress Staging Plugins:
Plugin 1: WP Stagecoach
WP Stagecoach is a WordPress staging and deployment service that makes it easy to create a staging environment for your WordPress website. It is a hosted service, so you do not need to worry about setting up or maintaining your own servers.
Features of WP Stagecoach:
- One-click staging and deployment: With a simple click, it swiftly generates a staging version of your website. You can also effortlessly transfer changes from your staging site to the live site using just one click.
- Password-protected staging copies: You can create password-protected staging copies of your website to share them with others for testing or feedback.
- Ongoing support: It offers ongoing support so that you can get help if you need it.
Pros:
- It is very easy to use, even for beginners.
- It is very affordable, especially for small businesses.
Cons:
- Limited features: It provides fewer features compared to some other staging services.
- Free plan: It only offer a free plan for five days.
Pricing:
It presents a range of four distinct plans, catering from small business to enterprise-level needs. Pricing commences at $99 per year. For comprehensive pricing information, kindly refer to its official website.
Plugin 2: StagingPilot
StagingPilot is known for its automated testing and update deployment. It automatically creates a staging site, runs tests, and deploys changes seamlessly. It is a hosted service, so you do not need to worry about setting up or maintaining your servers.
Features of StagingPilot:
- Effortless staging and deployment: It simplifies creating staging copies and pushing changes to your live site with just one click.
- Live preview: You can preview changes on your live site before deploying, ensuring they won’t disrupt your site.
- Sandbox environment: It provides a sandbox where you can safely test plugins and themes without affecting your live site.
- Git integration: It integrates with Git, allowing easy code management and version control.
- Ongoing assistance: It offers continuous support for any help you may need.
Cons:
- Learning curve for new users.
- Dependence on the Internet.
- Complexity in certain configurations.
- Limited integration with some hosting providers.
Pricing:
Moreover, the service offers a range of pricing options, starting at $59 per month for a single site. For a comprehensive overview of pricing details, kindly refer to their official website.
Plugin 3: BlogVault
BlogVault is more than just a staging plugin; it’s a comprehensive backup and security solution. It ensures safe staging and easy restoration if anything goes wrong. It doubles up as a proficient staging plugin. It provides a comprehensive platform to not only test your website changes but also collaborate with your team.
Features of Blogvault:
- Secure Backups: Encrypted website backups for quick restoration.
- Staging Environment: Test changes on staging before going live.
- Effortless Migrations: Move your WordPress site to a new host or domain.
- WooCommerce Protection: Real-time backups for WooCommerce stores.
- Multisite Support: Backup and restore WordPress Multisite networks.
- Enhanced Security: Malware scanning and vulnerability detection.
- Activity Log: Track all website changes.
- Monitoring Alerts: Receive notifications for downtime and issues.
Pros:
- Easy to use: It is easy to use, even for beginners.
- Secure: It uses industry-leading security measures to protect your data.
- Affordable: It offers a variety of pricing plans to fit your budget.
- Wide features: It provides diverse tools to protect and manage your WordPress site.
- Top-notch customer support: You can rely on its exceptional customer support for any assistance.
Cons:
- Free plan: Only offer a free plan for a short period of time.
- Monthly subscription: It requires a monthly subscription, so you have to keep paying for it as long as you want to use it.
Pricing:
The service provides a selection of three distinct plans, each tailored to varying requirements. The basic plan is affordably priced at only $89 per year. For a comprehensive breakdown of pricing details, please refer to the official website.
WP Staging is a user-friendly staging solution. It enables you to easily set up a staging site and manually apply changes to the live site. This streamlines website development and updates by offering a secure space for testing and trying out new ideas.
Features of WP Stage:
- Staging Site Creation: Easily set up a staging site to make and test changes.
- One-Click Cloning: Clone your live site to the staging environment effortlessly.
- Push to Live: Apply changes from staging to live site with a single click.
- Database Sync: Sync databases between staging and live sites for consistency.
- Multisite Support: Create staging sites for WordPress Multisite networks.
- Password Protection: Secure your staging site with password protection.
- File Exclusion: Exclude specific files or folders from staging for privacy.
- Subdomain Integration: Use subdomains for staging URLs.
Pros:
- Quick Testing: Test new features, plugins, or themes without affecting your live site.
- Easy Deployment: Seamlessly push approved changes from staging to live.
- Time and Cost Savings: Reduce errors and downtime by pre-testing updates.
- User-Friendly: Simple interface suitable for beginners.
- Multisite Compatibility: Supports WordPress Multisite networks.
- Password Protection: Keep your staging site private.
Cons:
- Limited Free Version: The free version offers basic features with limited functionality.
- Performance Variations: The staging environment may not match live site performance.
Pricing:
Personal plan: $8/month & $96/year for one staging site.
Business plan: $12.50/month &150/year for three staging sites.
They also offer Developers and agency plans with lots of features. To know more, please visit its official site.
Plugin 5: Duplicator Pro
Duplicator Pro is widely used for site migration, but it also offers staging capabilities. It’s a great option if you need both staging and migration features.
Features of Duplicator Pro:
- Site Migration: Effortlessly move WordPress sites between different hosts or domains.
- One-Click Cloning: Create exact copies of your site for testing or duplication.
- Scheduled Backups: Set up automatic backups for your site’s files and database.
- Cloud Storage Integration: Store backups on cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
- Multisite Support: Clone and migrate WordPress Multisite networks.
- URL Replacement: Easily update URLs during migrations.
- Site Templates: Create templates for frequently used site configurations.
- Professional Support: Access to premium support for technical assistance.
Pros:
- Reliable Migrations: Smoothly move your site without technical hassles.
- Time-Saving: Quick and simple process for site duplication and migrations.
- Scheduled Backups: Automatic backups for peace of mind.
- Cloud Storage: Easily store backups on popular cloud services.
- Professional Support: Access to expert assistance if needed.
Cons:
- Learning Curve: Some technical knowledge might be required for advanced setups.
- Paid Solution: While a free version also exists, Duplicator Pro gives more features.
Pricing:
Duplicator Pro offers various pricing tiers starting from around $49 per year for a single site license. There are options for more sites and longer subscription periods, depending on your needs. The pricing provides access to the plugin’s features and support.
How to Choose the Right Staging Plugin for You?
Selecting the appropriate staging plugin relies on your unique requirements. Factors such as user-friendliness, features, cost, and compatibility with your website’s configuration should be taken into account.
Here’s a general guide to setting up a staging site using a staging plugin:
- Install and activate the chosen plugin.
- Follow the plugin’s instructions to create a staging site.
- Make and test changes on the staging site.
- Once satisfied, deploy the changes to your live site.
Best Practices for Using Staging Sites Effectively:
- Always backup your live site before creating a staging site.
- Test all changes thoroughly on the staging site.
- Avoid using real customer data on the staging site.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting:
- White Screen of Death: Check for conflicting plugins or themes.
- 404 Errors: Update your permalink settings on the staging site.
- Media Issues: Ensure that media files are properly synced between staging and live sites.
Conclusion:
WordPress staging plugins have become essential tools for website owners and developers. They simplify the process of testing and deploying changes, ensuring a seamless user experience on your live website. Choose the right plugin based on your needs, and enjoy the benefits of hassle-free website development and maintenance.
Common FAQs:
- Are these staging plugins suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! Many of these plugins are designed with user-friendliness in mind, making them accessible to both beginners and experts. - Can I use staging plugins with any WordPress theme?
Yes, you can use these plugins regardless of the theme you’re using. They are compatible with most themes and templates. - Do staging plugins affect website speed?
Staging plugins generally don’t affect your live site’s speed. Since changes are made in a separate environment, your visitors won’t experience any slowdown. - Are these plugins free to use?
While some of these plugins offer free versions with limited features, their premium counterparts often provide more advanced functionalities. - Can I undo changes made on a staging site?
Yes, most staging plugins allow you to discard changes made in the staging environment without affecting your live site. - Do these plugins work with e-commerce websites?
Absolutely. Whether you have a simple blog or a complex e-commerce platform, staging plugins can be effectively used to test changes.