# Use a staging site

Staging is a private copy of your website where you can test updates safely before they reach visitors.

## Steps

1. Go to **Websites → [site] → Staging**.
2. Click to **create the staging environment**. It's password-protected so it won't be indexed or seen publicly.
3. Make your changes on staging (plugins, themes, content) and **preview** it.
4. When it looks right, use **Go live / push to production** to copy staging over your live site. Run a backup first as a safety net.

## Good to know

- Staging is isolated (including its own cache) so tests don't affect your live site.

## Troubleshooting

- **Push made the live site look old** — clear the cache (**Cache → Purge**) after going live.
- **Staging out of date** — re-sync it from live before testing.

**Related:** Back up and restore your website · Manage plugins, themes & WordPress core