Video Length: 14:30
Part 2 of setting up a dev site
Part 1 was called How to set up a development site on cPanel hosting. In that video we got as far as setting up a subdomain. Part 2 picks up from where we left off.
We’re going to clone and migrate a ‘gold standard site’, which is a website that’s already configured with all the plugins we want. It saves a lot of time at the beginning of a project. For example the security plugin takes a long time to set up so I don’t want to do it every time I start a new project.
I walk you through the whole process in the video but as usual, in case you prefer written instructions here they are:
Create a database and user
Create database
Log into cPanel
MySQL databases
Give the new database a name. I use XXX, where XXX is the name of the project.
Create Database
Copy name of database into a handy document. You’ll need this later.
Go Back
Add New User
Scroll down to MySQL Users and click on it.
You need to add a new user.
Give the user a name. I use XXX, where XXX is the name of the project.
Click on Password Generator
Choose a password that you like (keep clicking Generate Password). I avoid a lot of really random characters because they sometimes cause problems during the duplication.
Save the password into your handy document.
Click the box that says I have copied this password in a safe place.
Use Password
Create User
Save username in your handy document
Go Back
Add User to Database
Scroll down to Add User to Database
Choose the user from the dropdown
Choose the database from the dropdown
Click Add
Tick the box that says All Privileges
Make Changes
Make a backup of the website you’re planning to migrate
Log into the website you’re planning to migrate
Make sure everything is up to date – plugins, theme and WordPress core
If you don’t already have the Duplicator plugin installed do that now
Click on Duplicator (in the black bar down the left hand side)
Create New (top right)
Next
It will scan the site
Click Build
It will build the package
Now you need to download both components – the installer and the archive. Store them in a folder somewhere you’ll remember.
Upload 2 x backup files to your destination host
Click on File Manager
Open the subdomain folder you created in the last video
It will no doubt contain at least one thing. Select everything in the folder and click Compress.
Choose zip archive > Compress files.
Delete all files except the zip you just created.
Click Upload
Select File > navigate to folder where you stored your backup files > Open
(Or shrink the window and drag and drop)
Upload both the installer and the archive. Leave the archive zipped.
Go back to your File Manager window and Reload. You’ll see the files there.
I’m going to show you how to do this job via cPanel. Note that you will sometimes hear people say it shouldn’t be done this way, and that you should instead by uploading via FTP. I don’t want to argue who’s wrong and who’s right. I will say a lot of people do it the way I’m about to show you.
Complete the migration process
In a new browser window type in the address of your new website, followed by installer. php.
For example devsiteXXX.yourmainsite.com/installer.php
Step 1 should come up.
Tick the box that says I have read and accept all terms & notices
Next
Step 2
Choose Connect and remove all data
Choose localhost
Input the database name, the user name and the password from your handy document
Test database
Next
Run installer with these settings? > Yes
Step 3
Change the title to match your new site
Next
Step 4
The final clean up suggestions vary from host to host, just do what they say.
Site Login – use the login details from your original website.
Remove installation files
Clear build cache etc
Go back to your cPanel and reload the File Manager. Sort the contents by size from biggest to smallest. Make sure your zipped backup archive has been removed. If not, remove it or your backups will be unnecessarily huge.
Issues and Other Notes
Sometimes you’ll run into issues, it can be a tricky process at times. In fact, if it works first time you’re required to give a little cheer of joy. I show an example of an error at 9:28 in the video.
Remember to change your login details if this site is going to a client.