Guide · Last updated October 2026
Test changes on a staging copy
Try a redesign or plugin update on a private copy before changing your live site.
Create a copy
Open your site’s Staging page and select Create staging copy. The copy is made automatically and protected from public access while it’s prepared. Watch its status on the same page. Each copy counts toward the staging limit in your plan.
Open the staging site
The copy becomes ready automatically after cloning and health checks. Select Show preview login to reveal its protected access details. Keep them private — a staging copy can contain customer or order data from your live site. Inside WordPress, your usual login works, because the copy includes your users.
Publish your changes
When the copy looks right, select Publish to live. Choose Files only to copy theme, plugin and upload files while keeping live settings, or Files + theme and plugin changes to also apply the active theme, Customizer settings, custom CSS and plugin activation. A full backup is saved automatically first. Live posts, users and orders stay intact. Plugin-specific data/settings, menus, attachment selections and page-builder content are not copied. Type PUBLISH to confirm.
If something goes wrong
If a copy stays in progress or shows needs attention, open Get help and mention the site and the copy. To free a staging slot, delete a copy you no longer need — deletion can’t be undone, but it never affects the live site.
Stuck on one of these steps?
Open a ticket and tell us which step you reached and the exact message you see. You can follow replies and status in your portal.
Open your tickets