When working with WordPress, there might be instances where you want to replicate an existing page’s content and layout. Whether you’re testing changes, creating a template, or simply looking to build upon prior work, duplicating a page can save valuable time. In this guide, we’ll break down the step-by-step process to duplicate a page in WordPress, ensuring you have an easy, smooth experience.
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Why Duplicating a Page is Beneficial
Duplicating a page in WordPress offers several advantages, especially for those looking to improve their workflow and efficiency.
Avoiding Repetitive Work
By duplicating a page, you no longer have to start from scratch every time you need similar content or layout. It’s much like having a template at your disposal. Instead of recreating the wheel, you can use a duplicate as your starting point, saving you both time and effort.
Testing Changes Without Altering the Original
Want to experiment with a new design or update content without the risk of ruining your original page? Duplicating allows you to make changes and adjustments on a clone without impacting the original content. This ensures that your live site remains unaffected while you try out new ideas.
Streamlining Content Creation
For content creators or marketers regularly publishing similar types of content, duplication can be a game-changer. Imagine you’re running a series of events and need pages with the same format but different details. Rather than building each page one by one, you can duplicate a master page and simply replace the specific event details, making the process faster and more efficient.
Prerequisites Before Duplicating
Before diving into the process of duplicating a page in WordPress, there are a couple of essential steps you should take. These ensure that your duplication process goes smoothly and that you avoid any potential pitfalls.
Ensure You Have Administrative Access
Duplicating a page often requires permissions that might only be available to administrative roles. Without the proper access, you might find yourself restricted or unable to complete certain actions. Before attempting to duplicate a page, make sure you’re logged into WordPress with an account that has administrative rights. If you’re unsure about your role, check your user profile or ask the site administrator.
Back Up Your WordPress Site
It’s always a smart move to back up your site before making any significant changes. Though duplicating a page is generally a safe procedure, unforeseen issues can arise. Having a backup ensures that, should anything go wrong, you can quickly restore your site to its previous state. There are various plugins and tools available that can help you create backups, or you can consult with your hosting provider for guidance.
Methods to Duplicate a Page
There are several approaches to duplicate a page in WordPress, each with its own set of advantages. Here, we’ll cover two popular methods: using a plugin and manual duplication.
a. Using a Plugin
Plugins simplify the duplication process, allowing you to clone pages with just a few clicks. Two widely-used plugins for this purpose are Duplicate Post and Yoast Duplicate Post.
Introduce plugins like Duplicate Post and Yoast Duplicate Post
- Duplicate Post: This plugin provides an intuitive interface that allows users to effortlessly clone posts and pages. It’s a trusted choice among WordPress enthusiasts.
- Yoast Duplicate Post: Coming from the creators of the renowned Yoast SEO plugin, this tool offers similar functionality, making it easy to replicate content while maintaining optimal SEO practices.
Installation Process
- Navigate to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on Plugins > Add New.
- Find the plugin from the search results and click Install Now.
- After installation, click Activate.
How to Use the Plugin to Duplicate a Page
- Once activated, go to Pages on your WordPress dashboard.
- Hover over the page you wish to duplicate.
- You’ll see a new option titled Clone or Duplicate (depending on the plugin). Click on it.
- The plugin will create an identical draft of the page. Edit and modify as needed.
b. Manual Duplication
If you’d rather avoid plugins, WordPress allows for manual duplication, although it’s a tad more hands-on.
Create a New Page
- On your WordPress dashboard, go to Pages > Add New.
Copy Content from the Original Page
- Open the original page you wish to duplicate in a new tab or window.
- Copy the entire content, including any media, shortcodes, and text.
- Return to your new page and paste the content into the editor.
Save and Preview
- After ensuring all content is correctly copied, click Save Draft.
- Preview the page to make sure it appears as intended. Once satisfied, you can publish it.
Tips for Post-Duplication
After you’ve successfully duplicated a page in WordPress, there are several considerations to keep in mind. These will ensure your new page functions correctly, ranks well in search engines, and offers the best user experience.
Checking for Broken Links
Duplicated content can sometimes lead to broken links, especially if the original page linked to specific sections of itself or other internal pages.
- Review the duplicated page for any internal links.
- Test each link to ensure it redirects correctly.
- Use plugins like Broken Link Checker to automatically identify and fix any broken links.
Updating SEO Metadata
Search engines can penalize websites for having duplicate content, which can harm your site’s ranking. Here’s how you can address this:
- If you have an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack, navigate to the SEO settings of the duplicated page.
- Update the meta title and meta description to be unique from the original page.
- Consider setting the duplicated page to “noindex” until it has distinct content from the original.
Customizing the Slug and Page Attributes
To ensure your duplicated page is unique and easily identifiable:
- Navigate to the Document settings on the right sidebar of the WordPress editor.
- Under Permalink, adjust the slug (the end part of the URL) to something different from the original page.
- Check other page attributes like the template, parent page, and order. Adjust these if necessary to fit the context of your new page.
By following these post-duplication tips, you can ensure your new page is set up for success. Always remember to review and test the duplicated page thoroughly before publishing, as a proactive approach can save you from potential issues down the line.
This content was originally published here.