{"id":22274,"date":"2026-08-27T13:48:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T11:48:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/?post_type=docs&#038;p=22274"},"modified":"2026-08-27T13:49:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T11:49:22","password":"","slug":"clone-wordpress-with-softaculous","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/hilfe\/wordpress\/wordpress-mit-softaculous-klonen\/","title":{"rendered":"Cloning WordPress: Copying a website with Softaculous"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With <strong>Softaculous<\/strong> Can you clone an existing WordPress website directly within your CURIAWEB hosting? Softaculous will create a copy of your WordPress installation, including files and the database. This is handy if you want to use an existing website as the basis for a new project, create a copy for testing, or work with a separate installation first before making major changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don't need to reinstall WordPress for this and then manually transfer themes, plugins, and settings. Softaculous handles the actual copying process automatically. You simply determine under which domain or in which directory the copy should be created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Briefly explained:<\/strong> Cloning creates a separate copy from an existing WordPress installation. The original website remains intact and is not replaced by the cloning process.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does cloning WordPress mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A WordPress website consists of more than just the visible pages and posts. The installation includes, among other things, WordPress itself, themes, plugins, uploaded media, configuration files, and the database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you simply copy a website via the file manager, an essential part of the installation is therefore missing. In addition, the database, WordPress configuration, and various paths or URLs would have to be adjusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Softaculous automates this work. During cloning, the required components of the existing installation are copied and set up for the new destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When is a cloned WordPress website useful?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A copy can be useful in various situations. Typical examples are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You want to use an existing website as a starting point for a new project.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You want to try out changes without working directly on the original website.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You want to test a new theme or extensive design changes on a copy first.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You want to further develop an existing installation under a different domain or subdomain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You need a separate copy of a website for development or testing purposes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, for pure testing on an existing live website, you should check whether a <strong>Staging installation<\/strong> is more suitable. We will go into more detail on that below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prerequisites for cloning with Softaculous<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Softaculous to be able to clone a WordPress installation, the existing installation must be known to Softaculous. WordPress installations that were already set up with Softaculous are normally listed there automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If WordPress was installed manually instead, or transferred to the hosting in another way, the installation may first need to be imported into Softaculous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain how to basically install WordPress via Softaculous in our guide <a href=\"\/en\/help\/wordpress\/install-wordpress-with-softaculous\/\">Install WordPress with Softaculous<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> Check before cloning whether a website or other important data already exists on the desired target. Do not use any directory or domain as a target whose existing contents you still need.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clone WordPress with Softaculous<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cloning process is started directly via Softaculous in cPanel. You do not need to be logged into the WordPress dashboard for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Log in to your <strong>CURIAWEB Customer Center<\/strong> a.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open your hosting package.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open via <strong>\u201ecPanel Login\u201c<\/strong> the cPanel management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start there <strong>Softaculous Apps Installer<\/strong> or rather the <strong>WordPress Manager by Softaculous<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open the overview of your existing installations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the WordPress installation you want to copy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click on the function <strong>\u201eClone\u201c<\/strong> or rather <strong>\u201eCloning\u201c<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set the goal of the new WordPress installation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check the settings carefully.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start the cloning process.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the size of your WordPress website, this process may take some time. A website with many images, plugins, or other files will naturally take longer than a small WordPress installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain how to get directly from the customer center to cPanel in a separate guide <a href=\"\/en\/help\/customer-center-account\/open-cpanel-directly-from-customer-center\/\">Single Sign-On: Open cPanel directly from the CURIAWEB customer center<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Select domain and directory for the clone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When cloning, you must define where the new WordPress installation should be accessible. Softaculous allows you to select the desired domain and installation directory, among other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You could create a copy under a subdomain like this, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>test.deine-domain.ch<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or you use a subdirectory:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>deine-domain.ch\/test<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are using a subdirectory, it must not accidentally point to a directory whose existing data you still need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Attention:<\/strong> Check the domain and directory especially carefully before starting. An incorrectly chosen target can affect existing files or another installation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens to the database?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">WordPress stores a large part of its content and settings in a MySQL database. This includes, for example, posts, pages, users, settings, and numerous information from plugins and themes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When cloning, Softaculous creates a suitable database for the new installation and transfers the required data from the source website. Therefore, you normally do not need to manually export, import, or in the file <strong>wp-config.php<\/strong> register.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is precisely one of the main advantages compared to manually copying a WordPress website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens to the WordPress users?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since the WordPress database is part of the copy, the existing WordPress users are also transferred. The administrators' access credentials therefore initially correspond to those of the original installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After cloning, you can log in to the copied website using the corresponding WordPress credentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can usually reach the WordPress admin area via:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>deine-domain.ch\/wp-admin<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We will cover how the WordPress login works in detail later in our article <strong>Access the WordPress admin area<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clone or Staging: What is the difference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to cloning, Softaculous also offers a <strong>staging function<\/strong>. Both functions initially create an additional WordPress installation, but they pursue different goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cloning<\/strong> is suitable if you need an independent copy of the website. This copy can continue to be used independently of the original installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Staging<\/strong> is specifically intended for development and testing work on an existing website. You create a test version, make changes there, and can then use the Softaculous function <strong>\u201ePush to Live\u201c<\/strong> deploy to the production website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rule of thumb:<\/strong> If you want to create a standalone copy, use <strong>Cloning<\/strong>. If you want to test changes on your existing website and later transfer them to the live website, <strong>Staging<\/strong> mostly the better choice.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch out for search engines with test copies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An publicly accessible copy of your website should not be accidentally indexed by search engines. Otherwise, nearly identical content could be accessible under different URLs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are using the clone exclusively for testing, you should therefore ensure that search engines do not index this test installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In WordPress you can find this under <strong>\u201eSettings\u201c &gt; \u201eReading\u201c<\/strong> the search engine visibility option. For a pure test environment, it should also be checked whether further access protection makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>SEO Note:<\/strong> An unneeded copy of WordPress should not remain permanently public and indexable. Test and development systems do not belong in the Google index.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">After cloning: Check the website<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even though Softaculous automates the technical copying process, you should check the new installation afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check in particular:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>whether the homepage and important subpages work,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>whether you can log in to the WordPress admin area,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>whether images and other media are loaded correctly,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>whether plugins and theme work,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>whether internal links are resolved correctly,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>whether forms work,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>whether emails are sent from the copied website,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and whether the website is accessible via HTTPS.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Caution with emails and forms on a test copy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This point is often overlooked in cloned websites: the copy usually also contains the configuration of the original website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, if your live website uses contact forms, WooCommerce, newsletters, SMTP, or other functions to send automated emails, these functions may also still be active on the copy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, in a pure development or test installation, you should check whether emails can actually be sent to customers, administrators, or other recipients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Especially with WooCommerce:<\/strong> A cloned shop installation can contain orders, customer accounts, email configurations, and other productive data. Do not use such a copy unprotected as a public test environment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Test plugins and themes on the clone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A copy is great for trying out new plugins or themes without directly changing the live website. Nevertheless, you should not install extensions indiscriminately on a test installation either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Install plugins and themes only from trusted sources and, prior to use, check factors such as timeliness, compatibility, and maintenance status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain in detail how WordPress plugins work and how to install them correctly in the article <a href=\"\/en\/help\/wordpress\/wordpress-plugin-installieren\/\">What is a WordPress plugin and how do you install a plugin?<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I delete the clone later?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. If you no longer need the copied installation, you can remove it again. However, you must make sure that you actually select the cloned installation and not accidentally your live website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, check the domain, directory, and installation path before every deletion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Before deleting:<\/strong> Check twice which WordPress installation is selected. Deleting an installation can remove files and the database and may not be reversible without an existing backup.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Softaculous, you can clone an existing WordPress installation directly via your CURIAWEB hosting. The files and database contents required for the website are transferred to a new installation. You select the desired destination and Softaculous handles the actual copying process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A clone is especially suitable if you need an independent copy of an existing website. For changes that should first be tested and later transferred back to the live website, on the other hand, the staging feature of Softaculous is usually the better solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pay special attention to search engine indexing, email sending, forms, and sensitive data when dealing with test copies. Delete copies you no longer need so that no outdated or unprotected WordPress installations remain on your hosting.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mit Softaculous kannst du eine bestehende WordPress-Website direkt in deinem CURIAWEB Hosting klonen. Dabei erstellt Softaculous eine Kopie deiner WordPress-Installation inklusive Dateien und Datenbank. Das ist praktisch, wenn du eine bestehende Website als Grundlage f\u00fcr ein neues Projekt verwenden, eine Kopie f\u00fcr Tests erstellen oder vor gr\u00f6sseren \u00c4nderungen zun\u00e4chst mit einer separaten Installation arbeiten m\u00f6chtest. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"doc_category":[80],"doc_tag":[],"class_list":["post-22274","docs","type-docs","status-publish","hentry","doc_category-wordpress"],"year_month":"2026-09","word_count":1550,"total_views":"5","reactions":{"happy":"0","normal":"0","sad":"0"},"author_info":{"name":"Silvio Mazenauer","author_nicename":"admin-curia","author_url":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/author\/admin-curia\/"},"doc_category_info":[{"term_name":"WordPress","term_url":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/hilfe-kategorie\/wordpress\/"}],"doc_tag_info":[],"knowledge_base_info":[],"knowledge_base_slug":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/22274","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/docs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22274"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/22274\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22276,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/22274\/revisions\/22276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"doc_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_category?post=22274"},{"taxonomy":"doc_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_tag?post=22274"}],"curies":[{"name":"WP","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}