How to use the Softaculous Staging Tool

We get it. Any time you modify a website it can be a real nightmare. Software updates or coding changes can cause incompatibilities. CSS or design elements can look different when trying them on the live site. Fear not! The new Softaculous Staging tool is here to take the headaches out of website changes.

The staging tool allows you to quickly make a copy of your site without touching your live website. When you are finished, you can push the Staging site to another location or even replace your live site. Follow along and learn how to make an exact copy of your website using this news Softaculous Staging tool.

Make a Copy of your Site

Do you want to protect your live website from issues that could occur when you make changes? You can now make a copy of your site using the Staging feature in Softaculous. This cloned version can be stored in any folder location on your server. Keep it active for future tests if you want to reuse it.

Create a Staging Site

1. Log into cPanel.
2. Click the Softaculous Apps Installer link in the Software section.
3. On the top-right of the screen, click the file folder so you can view all Softaculous managed sites.
    
4. You will see every site that is in Softaculous. Click the Create Staging button next to the site you want to use.
    
5. On the Staging WordPress page choose your site protocol. Options are https://, https://www, https://, and https://www
   Note: Since all InMotion Hosting plans include free SSL’s we recommend using one of the https options.
    
6. Choose the domain you want to set up the staging site on from the drop-down menu.
    
7. If you want to install the staging site in a directory, enter it in the available field. For example, if you enter ‘test’ in the field you would have to navigate to ‘example.com/test’ to visit the site.
    
8. If you want to set the name of the testing site’s database, enter it in the available field.
   
9. Click the Create Staging button. You are finished when you see a message stating “Congratulations, the staging was created successfully.”

Test a Staging Site

After making a copy of your live site, you can freely perform any tests without fear. Try a new software upgrade, test a 3rd party plugin or CSS changes. No one will see it until you’re ready to go live. Simply delete the staged site after testing or replace your live site.

Replace a Live Site

Now that you have completed your tests on the “Staged” site, you can push it live and replace your active website with just a couple clicks. You can even keep your staging site in case you want to perform more tests in the future. This makes the Staging tool in Softaculous a great way to safeguard your live site from any problems that might occur from a modification. Now, we’re going walk you through, so you’ll know how to replace your live site with a staging site.

1. Log into cPanel.
    
2. Click the Softaculous Apps Installer link in the Software section.
    
3. On the top-right of the screen, click the file folder so you can view all Softaculous managed sites.
    
4. Next to your staged site click the Push to live link.
    
5. Click the Customize tab so you can choose your options.
    
6. Select if you want to Overwrite Files/Folders, Push Full Database, or Choose Database Changes.
    
7. Click the Push to Live button. Your live site will then be replaced with your staging site, allow several minutes for this to complete.
   
8. You are finished when you see a messages stating “Congratulations, the site was successfully pushed to live.”

Now, you know how to replace your live site with a staging site using the new Softaculous tool. Go forth, and modify your website without fear.