Cloning a WordPress website with Softaculous

What is Softaculous?

Softaculous is a cPanel integration that will allow you to add, install and manage over 400+ apps. Comprised of many robust scripts, Softaculous can manage the life cycle of all your applications.

Before we get started.

To create a staging site for WordPress, you need to make sure you have set up a subdomain for the development area.

 To create a subdomain:

Log into your cPanel

Choose Domains > Subdomains

Enter the details of your new subdomain

An example of a good staging name would be:

dev.yourdomain.com or staging.yourdomain.com

Once your subdomain is set up, please check that the website you want to create a staging site for is already installed in Softaculous.

Here is our useful article on how to import your WordPress Installation into Softaculous:

How to import an existing install into softaculous/

Getting started

In this section, we’ll talk you through cloning a WordPress website through cPanel and Softaculous.

Login to cPanel

Once logged in to cPanel, scroll down to the bottom of the dashboard where Softaculous is listed.

From the scripts section choose WordPress.

WordPress management screen

The Softaculous WordPress management screen lists you all of your active WordPress Installations.

On the website, you would like to create a clone of, choose the icon to the right of the ‘Create Staging’ symbol.

Cloning a website

In this section:

Choose the domain name you want to use.

Enter the name of your database.

Enable/Disable Search Engine Visibility.

Choose your site name.

Click the clone installation button.

WordPress clone installation complete

Now your cloned WordPress Installation with Softaculous is now complete.