---
title: Create a staging site
description: A staging site is a separate copy of your site where you can test an update, a new plugin or extension, or a redesign. When it works, make the same change on your live site, or ask us to help…
url: "https://getsimple.net/knowledgebase/create-a-staging-site/"
updated: "2026-11-01"
category: Get Started
---

# Create a staging site

A staging site is a separate copy of your site where you can test an update, a new plugin or extension, or a redesign. When it works, make the same change on your live site, or ask us to help copy it over. Starter includes 1 staging copy, Simple 2 and Business 3.

## Before you start

- Make a backup of the live site. See [Back up and restore your site](/knowledgebase/back-up-and-restore-your-site/).
- A staging copy runs on a test address shown in your control panel, separate from your domain. It's for testing, not for visitors.

## Make a staging copy of your site

1. Open your hosting control panel. See [How to open your control panel](/knowledgebase/open-hosting-panel/).
2. Select **Add website** on **Home** or **Websites**.
3. In **Subscription**, pick your hosting plan.
4. Choose **Staging website**. If you choose **Production website** instead, the copy counts as one of your plan's websites.
5. Choose **Clone a website**.
6. In **Staging domain**, enter a name for the copy. The rest of the test address is filled in for you.
7. On a WordPress site, leave **Perform a WordPress search and replace** checked. It changes your site's address to the test address throughout the copy's database.
8. In **Select a website to clone**, pick the site you want to copy.
9. Make sure **Staging website** is still selected, then select **Add**.
10. On a WordPress site, sign in to the staging copy's dashboard, open **Settings**, then **Reading**, tick **Discourage search engines from indexing this site**, and select **Save Changes**.

## Test on the staging site

- Run the update, the plugin or extension change, or the PHP version change on the staging site. See [Change your site's PHP version](/knowledgebase/change-php-version/).
- Check the front end and the admin area (wp-admin for WordPress, the Administrator for Joomla).

## Move your changes to your live site

When your changes work on the staging site, make the same changes on your live site. When you're ready to make the staging copy live, make a backup of your live site first (see [Back up and restore your site](/knowledgebase/back-up-and-restore-your-site/)). Then open a ticket from [Get Help](/knowledgebase/get-help/) and we'll help. Once it's live, if it's a WordPress site, open **Settings**, then **Reading** on your live site, make sure **Discourage search engines from indexing this site** is unchecked, and select **Save Changes**.

## FAQ

### How many staging sites do I get?

Starter includes 1 staging copy, Simple 2 and Business 3.

### Does a staging site count against my plan's site limit?

No. Staging copies have their own allowance (Starter 1, Simple 2, Business 3) and do not count toward the number of sites your plan includes.

## Related

- [WordPress hosting](/wordpress-hosting/)
- [LiteSpeed hosting](/litespeed-hosting/)
- [Joomla hosting](/joomla-hosting/)
- [Back up and restore your site](/knowledgebase/back-up-and-restore-your-site/)