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How To Clone A WordPress Website

Are you hesitant about cloning your WordPress website or exploring various methods to do so? Cloning a website can seem daunting, especially for those who aren’t tech-savvy. Fortunately, there are several ways to accomplish this task. In this piece, we’ll show you how to clone a WordPress website.

What Is Website Cloning

Website cloning involves creating a replica of a website on a different domain. This process duplicates the site’s structure, design, content, and functionalities, resulting in a version that mirrors the original. Cloning can be done manually or with various plugins.

However, cloning someone else’s website without authorization can infringe on copyright laws and may lead to legal consequences. Search engines like Google may also blacklist such sites.

Cloning vs. Copying a Website

Although cloning and copying a website are related concepts, they differ in several ways:

Definition

Cloning a website involves creating a replica of a fully functional site, replicating its design, structure, and functionality. Copying a website, on the other hand, means duplicating some or all of the content from a website, but not necessarily its entire structure.

Objective

Cloning aims to fully replicate both the design and functionality of a site. Copying is typically focused on reusing and modifying existing content rather than reproducing the entire site.

Legal Status

Cloning a website without permission often violates intellectual property laws and can be illegal. Copying content may also be illegal if the content is not modified before publication or used without permission.

Reasons for cloning a website

Cloning your website is legal and can be useful for various purposes:

1. Create a Backup Copy

Cloning provides an immediate backup of your site, including its database and content, which can be invaluable if your original site crashes.

2. Test New Features and Designs

Use a cloned site to trial new applications, features, or design changes to ensure they function correctly without risking the original site’s stability.

3. Analyze Code and Frameworks

Regularly cloning your site helps you review front-end code and frameworks, allowing you to identify and fix potential issues before they affect your site.

4. Establish a Staging Environment

A cloned site serves as a staging platform where you can test theme or plugin updates before deploying them to your live site.

5. Migrate to a New Hosting Server

Test a cloned version of your site on a new server to assess its performance and support before making the full migration.

Method 1: How to Clone WordPress Website Using a Plugin

Using a plugin is often the easiest way to clone a WordPress website. Here’s a step-by-step guide using one of the most popular plugins, Duplicator.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Duplicator Plugin

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.

a screenshot of WordPress login

2. Go to Plugins > Add New.

a screenshot of add new plugin under plugins

3. Search for Duplicator.

a screenshot of Duplicator in the search plugin bar

4. Click Install Now and then Activate.

a screenshot of Duplicator plugin with Install Now highlighted

Step 2: Create a Duplicator Package

 Go to your dashboard and find the new “Duplicator” tab. Click on it and select “Create New.”

a screenshot of new duplicator tab with create new button visible

 Name your package and choose storage options, archive, and database files, and adjust installer settings. Click “Next.”

a screenshot of duplicator where you are required to choose a name, storage and location of the package

 Duplicator will scan your website for issues. If you see any warnings, check the box that says “Yes. Continue with the build process!” 

a screenshot of duplicator plugin scanning the website

click “Build.”

a screenshot of already scanned website with built button highlighted

 Wait for the process to complete

a screenshot of duplicator building package

Download the generated files to your computer. 

a screenshot of package build status waiting for download

Note their location for later use.

Step 3: Upload Files to Your New Server

Use an FTP client like FileZilla to upload the downloaded files to your new server. Log in with your web host credentials and copy the files to the root directory (usually “www” or “public_html”).

Step 4: Set Up a Database

To ensure your WordPress website operates correctly, you need a database. After uploading your cloned files, create a new database to store the site’s data. This setup allows Duplicator to transfer information from your old database to the new one.

Your web host typically provides options to manage databases through their control panel. For instance, on Bluehost, you can find this under MySQL Databases.

1). Create a New Database

 Click on the MySQL Databases option, then choose the option to create a new database. Name it and click “Create Database.”

2). Add a New User

In the MySQL Users section, create a new user by entering a username and password.

3). Assign User to Database

Ensure the new user is assigned to the database you just created.

Remember to keep your database information handy for the next steps!

Step 5: Run the Duplicator Installer

 In your browser, navigate to `http://www.yournewsite.com/installer.php` to start the installation.

The duplicator will check your files and prompt you to proceed. Click “Next.”

 Enter your new database details and click “Next” to import your old database.

Confirm your new site’s URL, installation path, and title, then click “Next.”

Finally, update your permalink structure, test your site, and delete the installer and archive files as prompted.

This process will clone your website to the new server efficiently.

Method  2: Cloning WordPress website  Manually 

If you choose to complete the process manually, be aware that it involves intricate management of website files and databases. Proceed only if you are comfortable with these tasks and follow this guide carefully.

Step 1: Connect to Your Site with an FTP Client

To clone your website manually, you first need to create a backup of your site. While various tools can assist with this, an FTP client is usually the most straightforward option. Download an FTP client such as FileZilla or Cyberduck, then connect to your site using your FTP credentials, which you can obtain from your web host.

Step 2: Download Your Root Directory

Once connected, locate and download your root directory folder, typically named `public_html`. This folder contains crucial information about your site.

Select all contents within this folder, right-click, and choose `Download`. The time required for this process depends on your site’s size. Once complete, save the files to your local device or a remote storage location.

Step 3: Upload Your Root Directory to the New Server

With your root directory backed up, connect to your new server using the same FTP method. Find the new site’s root directory, highlight its files, and delete them. Then, upload the files you downloaded earlier by dragging and dropping them into the new server’s root directory.

Step 4: Export Your Site’s Database

Your root folder does not include your WordPress database, so you need to export it separately. Access PHPMyAdmin on your old site, navigate to the `Export` tab, and choose your export method. For a comprehensive export, select `Custom – display all possible options`. You may also use this opportunity to clean and optimize your database.

Alternatively, choose `Quick – display only the minimal options`. Select `SQL` as the export format, click `Export`, and save the file to your computer.

Step 5: Set Up Your Cloned Database

Next, set up the database for your cloned site. Go to your new hosting account’s database settings. This process varies by host, but if you’re using Bluehost, go to `Advanced` and then to the `Databases` section. Click `Manage` to access your control panel, typically cPanel.

Create a new database by entering a name and clicking `Create Database`. Then, in the `MySQL Users section, create a new username and strong password, click `Create User`, and add this user to the database with all privileges. Keep a record of all new usernames, database names, and passwords for later use.

Step 6: Import Your Database

To import your old database, go to the PHPMyAdmin dashboard for your new site. Navigate to the `Import` tab and select the database file you saved earlier. Ensure the format is set to SQL, then click `Import`. 

If you’re not moving your domain to a new server, you can stop here. Otherwise, proceed to the final step.

Step 7: Update the `wp-config.php` File (Optional)

If you are changing servers or domains, update your `wp-config.php` file with the new database details. Access your cloned site’s files using your FTP client, find the `wp-config.php` file in the root directory (such as `public_html`), and download it.

Open the file in a text editor and update the following lines with the new credentials you created:

“`php

define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘database_name’);

define(‘DB_USER’, ‘database_user’);

define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘database_password’);

define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘database_host’);

“`

If you are also changing the domain name, add these lines above “That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing”:

“`php

define(‘WP_HOME’, ‘http://yournewdomain.com’);

define(‘WP_SITEURL’, ‘http://yournewdomain.com’);

“`

Save the updated file and re-upload it to replace the old `wp-config.php` file.

Tips for Cloning a WordPress Website

Here are a few tips for cloning a WordPress website:

01). Use a reputable cloning plugin

There are several different cloning plugins available, but not all of them are created equal. Be sure to choose a plugin that is well-rated and has a good track record.

02). Test the clone before you make it live

 Once you have created a clone of your website, it is important to test it to make sure that it is working properly. This will help you to avoid any problems when you make the clone live.

03). Keep your original website backed up

In case something goes wrong during the cloning process, it is important to have a backup of your original website. This will allow you to restore your website to its previous state if necessary.

04). Choose the right hosting environment

Ensure that the hosting environment where you are cloning the site has the same PHP version, MySQL version, and other server configurations as your original site to avoid compatibility issues.

05). Update permalinks after cloning

After cloning the site, go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and save the settings again to update the permalinks and avoid broken links.

06). Check for hard-coded URLs

If your website contains hardcoded URLs (e.g., in theme files or widgets), you’ll need to update these URLs in the database to reflect the new site address.

07). Use a staging environment

Before making the cloned site live, consider using a staging environment to test and make sure everything works as expected. This helps to prevent disruptions on the live site.

08). Adjust site and home URL

Update the `siteurl` and `home` options in the WordPress database (found in the `wp_options` table) to reflect the new URL of the cloned site.

Conclusion

Cloning a WordPress website can be straightforward, but careful adherence to steps is crucial, especially when cloning manually. Using a plugin simplifies the process significantly. By following the tips provided, you can ensure a successful cloning experience.

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