What is WordPress Site Cloning?
WordPress site cloning involves replicating an existing website to generate a completely independent copy. This process retains the original site’s settings, themes, plugins, and content. Cloning is particularly beneficial for developing multiple sites with the same design, layout, or configuration.
Why Clone a WordPress Site?
- Efficiency: Save time by reusing an existing site’s setup instead of building from scratch.
- Consistency: Ensure uniformity in themes, plugins, and settings across multiple sites.
- Flexibility: Create independent sites where changes to one do not affect others.
- Ease of Use: Simplifies complex workflows, such as testing updates or creating development environments.
Role-Based Access for Cloning
The cloning feature is restricted based on user roles to maintain security. Only users with the following roles have permission to clone WordPress sites:
- Agency Owners
- Agency Users
- Account Users (within the same sub-account)
If a user lacks the necessary permissions, they will only be able to create a new site from scratch. This ensures that only authorized individuals can duplicate sites.
How to Clone a WordPress Site in HighLevel
- Navigate to the WordPress Dashboard:
- Log in to your HighLevel account and go to the WordPress Dashboard.
- Choose Create New or Select Blank WordPress.
- Access the Cloning Option:
- Click on the Incomplete Setup Card.
- Select Choose From Existing Site.
- Choose the Source and Destination:
- Select the Sub-Account where the new site will reside.
- Choose the Source Site you want to clone.
- Enter a New Website Name.
- Start Cloning:
- Click Clone to begin the process.
- Monitor the Cloning Progress:
- Progress indicators will display the real-time status of the cloning operation.
- Review the New Site:
- Once the process is complete, your new site will appear as a standalone entity in the WordPress dashboard.
- Any changes made to the cloned site will not affect the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can use the cloning feature?
Only users with specific roles—Agency Owners, Agency Users, and Account Users (within the same sub-account)—can access the cloning functionality.
Q: What happens if I don’t have the required permissions?
If your role does not permit cloning, the system will default to the new site creation process instead.
Q: Will changes to one site affect the other?
No, the cloned site is completely independent of the original. Modifications to one site will not impact the other.
Q: Can I track the cloning process?
Yes, progress indicators display real-time updates during the cloning process.
Q: What is retained during cloning?
All configurations, themes, plugins, and settings from the source site are retained in the cloned site.