How to test WordPress themes and plugins without going live

Testing new themes and plugins is exciting, but it can also be risky. If you activate something untested on your live website, you could face issues like broken layouts, plugin conflicts, or even site downtime. That’s why it’s important to know how to test a WordPress theme without going live.

The good news is there are safe ways to experiment with changes before pushing them to your visitors. In this guide, we’ll walk through why testing matters, the common options available, and the easiest solution to test updates, plugins, and themes without risk.

• Why testing plugins and themes before going live is essential
• Different methods for safe testing and their pros and cons
• How UpdraftClone makes testing quick and stress-free
• Best practices to follow before applying changes to your live site

Making changes directly on your live WordPress site can cause more problems than you expect. Even a small update can trigger unexpected conflicts or performance issues. Testing first ensures your site stays stable, reliable, and professional.

Here are the main reasons why testing is so important:

• Protects uptime – visitors won’t face broken pages or downtime
• Prevents conflicts – plugins, themes, and WordPress core sometimes clash
• Keeps data safe – you avoid errors that might lead to data loss
• Preserves performance – testing helps spot anything that slows your site
• Supports security – you can check new plugins and themes for vulnerabilities

It’s also smart to create regular WordPress backups before making any changes. A solid backup plan ensures that even if something goes wrong during testing or updates, you can quickly restore your site to its previous state.

There are a few different ways to test changes in WordPress without affecting your live site. Each has advantages and limitations, depending on your technical skills and hosting setup.

You can create a local copy of your WordPress site on your computer using tools like Local or MAMP.

Pros

• Free to set up
• No impact on your live site

Cons

• Requires technical knowledge
• Not always identical to your live server environment

You can manually copy your site to a subdomain or separate server for testing.

Pros

• Full control over the setup
• Good for developers who need flexibility

Cons

• Time-consuming to configure
• Needs ongoing maintenance and updates

Some WordPress hosts offer built-in staging environments.

Pros

• Easy to set up if included in your plan
• Usually just one click to copy your site

Cons

• Not available on all hosting plans
• Can be limited in features or resources

While these methods work, they often involve extra setup, technical skills, or higher hosting costs. That’s why many site owners look for a faster and simpler alternative.

While traditional staging options work, they often take time to configure or require technical know-how. If you want a faster and more reliable option, UpdraftClone makes the process simple.

UpdraftClone creates a fully functional clone of your WordPress site in just a few clicks. This clone runs on its own temporary server, so you can test new themes, plugins, and updates without touching your live website.

Why UpdraftClone stands out:

• No technical setup required
• Your live site stays untouched
• Pay only for the time you use the clone
• Create and delete clones whenever you need
• Hosted on secure, fast servers for realistic testing

This makes it ideal for WordPress users who want a safe environment for experimenting, whether you are switching themes, adding plugins, or applying major updates.

Getting started with UpdraftClone is quick. You don’t need developer skills or complex hosting setups. Here’s how it works:

Download the UpdraftPlus plugin from WordPress.org or directly from your WordPress dashboard

Go to the UpdraftPlus settings in your WordPress dashboard and select “UpdraftClone”

Choose your clone options and launch. Your site will be copied to a secure temporary server

Install and activate new themes, add plugins, or apply updates without risk to your live site

Once you’re happy with your changes, you can apply them to your live site. If not, simply delete the clone

UpdraftClone gives you the flexibility to experiment freely. You only pay for the time you use the clone, making it cost-effective as well as safe. For a detailed walkthrough, see our full guide on how to clone a WordPress site using UpdraftClone.

Testing updates, plugins, and themes in a safe environment is the simplest way to avoid downtime and user frustration. With UpdraftClone, anyone can do this quickly, without needing technical skills.

Once you have a safe testing environment, it’s important to make the most of it. Following best practices helps you spot issues early and keep your live site secure and reliable.

Activate new themes or plugins alongside your current setup to see if they work well together

Test site speed and loading times, especially after adding new plugins or switching themes

Check layouts, fonts, and colours on desktop and mobile devices to make sure everything displays correctly

Confirm that forms, shopping carts, logins, and other critical features still work as expected

Even after testing, take a fresh WordPress backup before moving changes to your live site

By following these steps, you can confidently roll out updates without risking your site’s stability.

Testing themes and plugins before making them live is one of the best ways to protect your WordPress site. It helps you catch compatibility issues, avoid downtime, and ensure your site continues to perform well for visitors.

While there are several ways to set up a testing environment, many of them require technical knowledge or extra hosting resources. With UpdraftClone, you can create a clone of your WordPress site in minutes and test without risk. Once you are confident in your changes, you can apply them to your live site knowing they will work as expected.