Table Of Contents
Introduction
Managing a WordPress website is not just about publishing content or tweaking layouts – it also involves strategic planning, especially when it comes to budgeting your time, effort, and money. One scenario many website owners face is the need to duplicate their WordPress site. Maybe you want to test a new theme or plugin without risking your live site. Or perhaps you’re launching another business and want to reuse the structure of your existing site.
Whatever the reason, duplicating a WordPress site on Hostinger is a smart way to save time and avoid unnecessary development costs. Instead of hiring someone to recreate the same design and functionality from scratch, you can replicate your existing setup and reallocate those saved funds toward marketing, content, or plugin investments.
In business finance terms, it’s about efficiency-repurposing assets to avoid duplicate spending. This process can help small businesses stretch tight budgets, freelancers manage projects more easily, or entrepreneurs test new ideas without additional hosting costs.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the entire process of duplicating a WordPress site on Hostinger step-by-step, using real-life budget analogies, simplified examples, and practical methods. Whether you’re a small business owner or a blogger managing multiple domains, these steps will make sure your efforts stay financially and technically sound.
Why Duplicate a WordPress Site?
Save on Development Costs
Hiring a developer to build a fresh site can cost ₹20,000–₹1,00,000 or more depending on your needs. Duplicating an existing WordPress site costs almost nothing – just time and a little care.
Test Without Risk
Just like running a financial forecast before launching a new product, a cloned WordPress site lets you test features before going live – without disrupting your current user base or hurting your SEO.
Faster Launch for New Projects
If your business expands, you might want similar websites for new services or regional locations. A duplicated site gets you up and running fast, saving time and money.
Method 1: Duplicate a WordPress Site Using Hostinger’s hPanel
Hostinger offers its own custom control panel, hPanel, which simplifies many tasks – including site duplication. Here’s how to do it manually using File Manager and phpMyAdmin.
Step 1: Backup Your Existing Site
Always start by creating a full backup.
- Log in to Hostinger hPanel.
- Go to Files > Backups.
- Select Generate New Backup.
- Download both the website files and database.
Real-world comparison: Think of this like copying all financial records before making a new branch of your business.
Step 2: Create a New Database
- Navigate to Databases > MySQL Databases.
- Create a new database, username, and password.
- Note down these credentials.
This will store the cloned site’s data separately – similar to having a new ledger for a new business unit.
Step 3: Upload Files to the New Directory
- Go to Files > File Manager.
- Create a new folder (e.g., yourdomain.com/newsite).
- Upload the backup files or copy the contents of your current public_html folder to this new folder.
Step 4: Import the Database
- Go to Databases > phpMyAdmin.
- Select the new database and click Import.
- Upload your old site’s .sql file.
This imports the structure and content from your original site.
Step 5: Edit the wp-config.php File
Inside the new site folder:
- Open wp-config.php.
- Update the following lines with your new database credentials:
define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘new_db_name’);
define(‘DB_USER’, ‘new_db_user’);
define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘new_db_password’);
- This connects the new site to its own separate database.
Step 6: Update Site URL in Database
- Open phpMyAdmin > new database > wp_options table.
- Change siteurl and home to the new URL (e.g., yourdomain.com/newsite).
Now your site will load correctly from its new location.
Method 2: Use a WordPress Plugin Like Duplicator
If manual steps sound like too much, WordPress plugins can automate the process.
Step-by-Step with Duplicator
- Install Duplicator on your existing site.
- Go to Duplicator > Packages > Create New.
- Download the generated Installer and Archive files.
- Upload both files to the new directory on your Hostinger account.
- Access the installer by visiting: yourdomain.com/newsite/installer.php.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
Financial Benefit:
Instead of paying ₹5000+ to a developer, the Duplicator plugin lets you do this for free or with a small premium for advanced features.
Cost Considerations When Duplicating
Here’s a simple budget comparison:
| Task | Outsourcing Cost | DIY Cost Using Hostinger |
| Site Backup & Transfer | ₹5,000–₹8,000 | Free |
| New Database Setup | ₹1,000–₹2,000 | Free |
| Plugin-Based Cloning | ₹4,000+ | Free or ₹400/year (Pro) |
| Total | ₹10,000–₹15,000 | ₹0–₹400 |
This simple table shows how duplicating your own site can save you ₹10,000 or more.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Not Updating URLs
Forgetting to change the site URL leads to redirects back to the original site. Always edit wp_options.
❌ Missing File Permissions
Make sure your folders have the correct permissions (usually 755) or the site might not load correctly.
❌ Plugin Conflicts
Disable plugins like security or caching tools temporarily during the duplication process.
When to Duplicate vs. When to Start Fresh
Duplicating isn’t always the right move. Here’s a simple table to help you decide:
| Scenario | Duplicate | Start Fresh |
| Launching a similar service/business | ✅ | |
| Testing new plugins/themes | ✅ | |
| Redesigning completely with new content | ✅ | |
| Migrating to a different CMS (e.g., Shopify) | ✅ |
Conclusion
Duplicating a WordPress site on Hostinger doesn’t require technical expertise or a big budget. Whether you’re scaling your business, launching a new project, or testing features, this process can save you thousands of rupees and weeks of effort.
It’s a practical example of using digital tools to make smart financial decisions – just like automating payments, tracking expenses, or setting up emergency funds.
Are you investing time in tools that save you money? Or still paying for tasks you can easily do yourself?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the easiest way to duplicate a WordPress site on Hostinger?
The easiest method is using the Duplicator plugin, which automates the process without needing technical knowledge.
2. Can I duplicate my site to a subdomain or folder?
Yes, you can duplicate your WordPress site to a subdomain (e.g., test.yoursite.com) or folder (e.g., yoursite.com/test) by adjusting file paths and URLs.
3. Will duplicating a WordPress site affect SEO?
Duplicated sites should be kept private or set to “noindex” to avoid duplicate content issues that could hurt SEO.
4. Is duplicating a WordPress site free on Hostinger?
Yes, using manual methods or free plugins like Duplicator Lite, you can duplicate your site at no extra cost.
5. What’s the financial advantage of duplicating a site instead of rebuilding?
Duplicating saves ₹10,000–₹15,000 in developer fees and reduces launch time from weeks to hours.
6. How long does it take to duplicate a WordPress site?
Manually, it takes 30–60 minutes. Using a plugin, it can be done in 15–20 minutes depending on file size.
7. Can I use the duplicated site on another domain?
Yes, but you’ll need to update the wp_options table and replace all URLs using a plugin like Better Search Replace.
8. Do I need coding skills to duplicate a WordPress site?
No coding is required. Hostinger’s tools and WordPress plugins handle everything through simple steps.
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