Duplicating a WordPress site is a common operation that can seem intimidating if you've never done it before. Whether you want to create a testing environment, migrate to a new host, or simply back up your work, there are several methods to clone your site efficiently and safely.
In this complete guide, we'll explore the different reasons for duplicating a WordPress site, essential precautions to take, and most importantly, the best solutions available to accomplish this task.
Before diving into the "how," let's understand the "why." Here are the main reasons you might want to clone your site:
Before any duplication operation, some security measures are essential to avoid unpleasant surprises.
It may seem paradoxical to make a backup before duplicating, but it's essential. If something goes wrong during the process, you'll still have a backup copy. Regular maintenance of your site includes these preventive backups.
Duplication will create an archive of your complete site (files + database). Make sure that:
Before duplicating, update WordPress, your themes, and your plugins. This avoids transferring potential security vulnerabilities and ensures better compatibility.
Keep handy:
The simplest and safest method to duplicate a WordPress site is to use a dedicated plugin. Here are the most reliable solutions available.
Duplicator is arguably the most popular WordPress migration plugin, with over one million active installations and a 4.9/5 rating on the official WordPress repository.
Main Features:
How to Use Duplicator:
Pricing: Free version available. Duplicator Pro starting at $49.50/year for advanced features (scheduling, cloud storage, multisite).
All-in-One WP Migration stands out for its extremely simple interface. With over 5 million active installations, it's one of the most used migration plugins, particularly appreciated by beginners.
Main Features:
How to Use All-in-One WP Migration:
Important Limitation: The free version limits imports to 512 MB. For larger sites, you'll need to purchase the Unlimited Extension ($69).
UpdraftPlus is primarily a backup plugin, but it includes very effective migration features. With over 3 million installations, it's the world's most popular backup plugin.
Main Features:
How to Use UpdraftPlus for Migration:
Pricing: Very complete free version. UpdraftPlus Premium starting at $70/year including the Migrator and advanced features.
Migrate Guru is a free plugin developed by the BlogVault team, specifically designed to migrate large sites effortlessly.
Main Features:
How to Use Migrate Guru:
Limitations: Limited to 5 migrations per month per user. Does not support migrations to a local environment.
WPvivid Backup Plugin is an all-in-one solution for backing up, restoring, and migrating WordPress sites.
Main Features:
How to Use WPvivid:
Pricing: Generous free version. WPvivid Pro starting at $49/year for automatic staging and advanced options.
| Plugin | Price | Max Size (free) | Ease of Use | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duplicator | Free / $49/year | Unlimited | ⭐⭐⭐ | Technical migrations |
| All-in-One WP Migration | Free / $69 | 512 MB | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Beginners |
| UpdraftPlus | Free / $70/year | Unlimited | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Backup + migration |
| Migrate Guru | Free | 200 GB | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Large sites |
| WPvivid | Free / $49/year | Unlimited | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Staging + migration |
For advanced users or in special cases where plugins don't work, it's possible to duplicate a WordPress site manually. This method requires more time and technical skills but offers complete control over the process.
public_html or www)wp-config.php)Before uploading files, modify wp-config.php:
define('DB_NAME', 'new_database');
define('DB_USER', 'new_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'new_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); // or the host provided by your hostingThis is the trickiest step. You need to replace the old URL with the new one throughout the database. Use a script like Search Replace DB or run these SQL queries:
UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = replace(option_value, 'https://old-site.com', 'https://new-site.com') WHERE option_name = 'home' OR option_name = 'siteurl';
UPDATE wp_posts SET guid = replace(guid, 'https://old-site.com', 'https://new-site.com');
UPDATE wp_posts SET post_content = replace(post_content, 'https://old-site.com', 'https://new-site.com');
UPDATE wp_postmeta SET meta_value = replace(meta_value, 'https://old-site.com', 'https://new-site.com');Warning: WordPress serialized data can be corrupted by a simple find/replace. That's why using a specialized tool or plugin is strongly recommended.
After testing these different methods, here are our tips based on your situation:
Whatever method you choose, never forget to make a prior backup and test your duplicated site before deleting the original. Duplicating a WordPress site no longer holds any secrets for you!
Whether you need a new site, a takeover of an existing one, or expert maintenance, we help your marketing and communications teams rely on a reliable, high-performing WordPress that's easy to manage.
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