Preview a WordPress Website
WordPress offers different ways to review work before visitors see it. Choose the method based on whether you are checking one piece of content, a design change or an entire copy of the website.
Choose the right preview
- Editor preview: check an unpublished page or post in different screen sizes.
- Private or password-protected content: limit who can view a published item.
- Staging website: test themes, plugins, updates and wider changes on a separate copy.
- Hosting preview: inspect a migrated website before public DNS points to it.
Preview a page or post
- Save the content as a draft.
- Select Preview in the editor and choose the available device or new-tab option.
- Check headings, links, images, forms and the page layout.
- Return to the editor, make any changes and preview again before publishing.
Use staging for site-wide changes
A staging site should be separated from the live database and protected from search indexing and unauthorised access. Test changes there, then move only the intended work to production. Do not treat staging as a current backup because it may contain older or incomplete data.
If you need help creating or using a staging copy, submit a Fix Request and explain what you want to test.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone open a WordPress draft preview link?
Standard previews normally require an authorised signed-in user. Use an appropriate controlled sharing method if someone without WordPress access needs to review it.
Is a staging site the same as a backup?
No. Staging is a working copy for testing and may not match the latest live data. Keep separate recoverable backups of the live site.
Will search engines index my staging site?
They may if it is publicly accessible. Protect staging with authentication and discourage indexing, while remembering that a robots setting alone is not access control.
Can I test a website before changing its DNS?
Yes. A host may provide a preview URL or another controlled method. Check that the method loads the intended destination and supports the features you need to test.