You’ve built a really great WordPress page. Now you find yourself needing another one quite similar, maybe even identical. Figuring out how to clone WordPress page can seem a bit technical at first. But it’s a skill that will save you so much time and effort down the road, simplifying your overall content management strategy.

Perhaps you’re looking to launch a new service that mirrors an existing one on your WordPress website. Or maybe you want to try out some design changes without messing with your live, working page. Knowing how to clone WordPress page gives you the flexibility to do just that, quickly and efficiently, streamlining your WordPress experience.

You’ll be glad to know there are a few straightforward ways to accomplish this task in WordPress. You can use dedicated plugins designed for this very purpose, including many popular plugin options. Many page builders also have features to help you duplicate content, and if you prefer fewer plugins, there’s even a method to WordPress manually copy content using the code editor.

Why Would You Want to Clone a WordPress Page Anyway?

You might be wondering why you’d go to the trouble of cloning a page instead of just building a new one from the ground up. Well, the biggest reason is probably saving a whole lot of time. Think about all the work that went into crafting that original post or page; getting the layout perfect, writing the content, and choosing the right images takes effort.

Recreating all of that from scratch for a new, similar page can feel like a drag and hinder your productivity. Cloning allows you to bypass much of that repetitive work involved in post duplication. This is especially true if the new page only needs a few tweaks from the original page and you want to maintain your brand assets’ consistency.

Another great use for a cloned page is as a testing ground, a sort of staging environment for individual pages. Let’s say you have an idea for a new headline or a different call-to-action button. You can try these changes out on the cloned version without any risk to your live page, safeguarding your intellectual property and active user experience. This way, your visitors continue to see the stable, original page while you experiment safely behind the scenes.

Cloning also helps maintain consistency across your WordPress website. If you offer several services or products that have similar presentation needs, cloning a base template helps your branding and layout remain uniform. This creates a more professional and predictable experience for your visitors, which is always a good thing for small businesses trying to build trust. For example, a local business offering different repair services can use a post duplicator to clone a template for each service, ensuring consistent information display. For insights into design consistency, resources like web design principles can be very informative.

Sometimes, you might want to make significant updates to an existing page but keep the old version archived or as a starting point for comparison. Post cloning makes this process straightforward. You duplicate the page, work on the new version, and then can either replace the old one or keep both if needed; this is a common task in content management.

Different Paths to a Cloned WordPress Page

For getting a copy of your WordPress page, you generally have two main routes. The first path involves using WordPress plugins, which often offer a comprehensive solution. The second is a more manual, hands-on approach involving the code editor, which some users prefer to minimize plugin use.

For many WordPress users, especially those who prefer quick and easy solutions for post duplication, plugins are the preferred method. There are plugins specifically built to duplicate pages and posts with just a click or two; a good duplicate post plugin can be invaluable. These tools are made to be user-friendly and often copy most, if not all, of the page settings along with the content, making the WordPress duplicate process seamless.

But if you’re the type who likes to keep the number of installed WordPress plugins to a minimum, or if you enjoy understanding the underlying mechanics, the manual method could be your choice. This way usually involves copying and pasting code directly from the original post. It gives you direct control but needs a bit more care to get right and might not transfer all post data completely.

How to Clone WordPress Page Using Plugins

Using a plugin is often the simplest and most reliable way to tackle how to clone WordPress page. Plugins can handle not just the content, but also many of the associated settings like page templates, custom fields, and featured images. This can save you a lot of extra steps and ensure a more complete duplication of your wordpress post.

There are several excellent cloning plugin options available for the WordPress platform, many of them free WordPress plugins, reflecting the open-source spirit often associated with the WordPress Foundation. These tools integrate directly into your WordPress admin area, also known as the WordPress dashboard. This makes the cloning process feel like a native WordPress feature, often just a click away from your post option list.

Using a Dedicated Duplication Plugin (Example: Yoast Duplicate Post)

One very popular and highly-rated plugin is “Yoast Duplicate Post,” often referred to simply as yoast duplicate. It’s been around for a while and is trusted by millions for its reliability as a post duplicator. Originally for posts, it works perfectly for pages too, and its features make post cloning very simple, making it a staple among wordpress plugins.

Here’s how you typically use a popular plugin like this for duplicating posts:

  1. Install and Activate the Plugin: In your WordPress dashboard, go to “Plugins” and then click “Add New”. In the search bar, type “Yoast Duplicate Post”. When it appears in the search results, click “Install Now” to install plugin, and then click “Activate” to activate plugin. You can find the official plugin page on the WordPress repository.
  2. Navigate to Your Pages: Once activated, head over to “Pages” in your WordPress admin menu and select “All Pages”. This will show you a list of all the pages on your website.
  3. Clone Your Chosen Page: Hover your mouse cursor over the title of the page you wish to duplicate. You should now see some new options appear beneath the page title. These usually include “Clone” and “Rewrite & Republish” or “New Draft”.
  4. Review and Edit the Clone: Clicking “Clone” will instantly create a copy of your page, essentially a duplicate post. This new page will usually be a draft and might have a suffix option like “Copy” added to its title. Click “Edit” on this new draft to start making your changes.

Most duplication plugins, including Yoast Duplicate Post, also come with settings you can adjust. For Yoast Duplicate Post, you can find these under “Settings” and then “Duplicate Post”. Here, you can configure what elements get copied (like title, date, slug, featured image, custom fields, and even SEO data from Yoast SEO itself) and even define user roles that are permitted to clone content. This gives you fine-grained control over the post duplication process, and some plugins even offer bulk actions to duplicate multiple items at once.

Many of these valuable tools are free WordPress plugins, though some developers offer premium WordPress plugin versions with extended features or dedicated wordpress support. Access to documentation and other resources resources is usually readily available.

Cloning with a Page Builder’s Built-in Feature (Example: Elementor)

If you’ve built your WordPress site using a page builder like Elementor, Beaver Builder, or Divi, you might already have a cloning feature at your fingertips. Many of these tools include ways to save entire pages or sections as templates, which you can then reuse across your WordPress website. This often involves working within the visual editor provided by the builder.

Let’s take Elementor as an example. Elementor is a very common page builder and offers a straightforward way to replicate page designs and structures for your wordpress duplicate needs.

Method 1: Saving and Reusing Templates in Elementor

  1. Edit with Elementor: Open the WordPress page you want to clone using the Elementor editor.
  2. Save as Template: Look for the small arrow icon next to the “Publish” or “Update” button, usually at the bottom of the Elementor panel. Click it, and select “Save as Template”. You’ll be prompted to give your template a name.
  3. Create a New Page: Now, go back to your WordPress dashboard and create a new page (“Pages” > “Add New”). Give it a title, then click “Edit with Elementor”.
  4. Insert Your Saved Template: On the new blank Elementor canvas, you’ll see an area where you can drag widgets or add a template. Click the grey folder icon (often labeled “Add Template”). This opens your template library. Navigate to “My Templates”, find the template you just saved, and click “Insert”.

Your cloned design will now appear on the new page. You can then customize it as needed.

Method 2: Copy and Paste All Content (Elementor)

Some versions of Elementor or other builders allow for a more direct copy-paste of entire page structures. Within the Elementor editor, you can often right-click on a section or sometimes the page itself to find options like “Copy All Content” or “Copy”. Then, on a new page edited with Elementor, you can right-click and “Paste”. This can be a very quick way to transfer layouts and content.

The advantage of using page builder features is that you’re working within an environment you’re already familiar with if you built the site that way. The downside is that this method primarily copies the design and content handled by the builder. It might not always carry over specific WordPress page settings like certain custom fields or SEO metadata as thoroughly as a dedicated duplicate post plugin, but it is excellent for visual consistency.

Plugins generally offer a more comprehensive clone; they are easy to use and do most of the heavy lifting. The main thing to remember is to keep them updated, just like WordPress itself and your theme, to maintain good performance wordpress. Reputable wordpress plugins are usually well-maintained; check user reviews and compatibility with your WordPress version before proceeding to install plugin utilities.

How to Clone WordPress Page Manually (The Hands-On Way)

If you prefer to avoid adding another plugin to your site, perhaps to keep your wordpress platform lean, or if you’re just curious about how it works behind the scenes, you can try to clone WordPress page manually. This method, performing a wordpress manually copy, primarily involves copying and pasting the page’s underlying code from the code editor. It gives you direct control over the pasting content process, but it also requires a bit more precision.

Be aware that this approach might not perfectly replicate everything, especially some advanced settings or metadata stored as post data. Programmers understand that ensuring all original post data exists and is correctly transferred can be complex; a plugin would handle checks like isset on various data points, but manually you’re just copying the output. But for content and basic layout, it can work quite well.

Step 1: Grab the Page Content Code

First, you need to access the HTML or block code of the page you want to copy. Open the page in the WordPress editor.

  • For the Gutenberg Block Editor: Click the three vertical dots (options menu) in the top-right corner of the editor screen. From the dropdown menu, select “Code editor”. This will display the page content as a series of HTML comments and tags that define your blocks.
  • For the Classic Editor: Look for the two tabs above the main content area, usually labeled “Visual” and “Text”. Click on the “Text” tab. This will show you the HTML source code for your page content.

Once you’re in the code view, select all the text (you can use Ctrl+A on Windows or Cmd+A on Mac). Then, copy this selected code to your clipboard (Ctrl+C or Cmd+C).

Step 2: Make a New Blank Page

Now, you need a destination for this copied code. In your WordPress dashboard, go to “Pages” and click “Add New”. This will create a fresh, empty page. Give this new page a temporary title for now; you can refine it later.

Step 3: Paste the Copied Content Code

In the editor for your newly created page, you need to switch to the same code view you used earlier to ensure proper pasting content.

  • For the Gutenberg Block Editor: Again, click the three vertical dots and choose “Code editor”.
  • For the Classic Editor: Click the “Text” tab.

With the code view active on the new page, paste the code you copied from the original page (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V). After pasting, switch back to the “Visual” editor (Gutenberg) or click the “Visual” tab (Classic Editor). You should now see the content and layout of your original page appear in the new page’s editor.

Step 4: Dealing with Other Page Settings Manually

Copying and pasting the content code usually brings over the main text, images embedded in the content, and the general block or HTML structure. However, it often doesn’t transfer other important page-specific settings automatically, which can include crucial post data. Some complex post data might simply not exist in the copied code.

Things like the selected Page Template (if your theme uses them), the Featured Image, custom fields added by other plugins (like advanced custom fields or special page attributes), and Yoast SEO settings or similar SEO data usually don’t get copied this way. You’ll need to reapply these settings manually on the new page. For instance, if a field for post = some_specific_value was set by a plugin, you’d need to set that again.

For example, check the “Page Attributes” section in the sidebar of the page editor to set the correct template. You’ll also need to manually set or upload the Featured Image again. Any advanced custom fields will likely need to be re-entered. This is one of the main drawbacks of the manual method if you need an absolutely perfect, all-encompassing clone.

While the manual method avoids an extra plugin, it’s more labor-intensive and prone to missing details compared to a good duplication plugin. It’s best suited for simpler pages or when you mainly need to copy the core content and layout elements from an original post.

What Exactly Gets Copied When You Clone?

Understanding what gets duplicated (and what might not) is important when you choose your method for how to clone WordPress page. The completeness of the clone can vary significantly depending on whether you use a cloning plugin, page builder template, or a manual approach. Here’s a general idea, though specific plugin behavior can differ slightly, especially concerning custom post types and how their associated post data is handled.

ItemDedicated Plugin (e.g., Yoast Duplicate Post)Page Builder TemplateManual Code Copy/Paste
Content (Text, Images in Content)Yes, usually perfectlyYes, for content within the builderYes, generally
Layout & StylingYes, typically matches originalYes, design is the main focusMostly, but can depend on theme and complexity
Page TitleCopied (often with a suffix like “Copy” – a common suffix option)New page gets a new title you setNew page gets a new title you set
URL/SlugA new, unique slug is generated (e.g., page-name-2)New page gets a unique slug based on its titleNew page gets a unique slug based on its title
Page Template SettingOften Yes (configurable in plugin settings)Typically applied when new page created (if builder respects this)No, must be set manually
Featured ImageOften Yes (configurable)No, must be set manually on the new WordPress pageNo, must be set manually
Custom Fields (e.g., from ACF plugin)Often Yes (configurable, handles advanced custom fields well)Usually No, unless part of builder’s dataNo, must be re-entered
SEO Meta (e.g., Yoast/Rank Math Title & Description)Often Yes (configurable for some plugins, copies seo data)No, must be set manuallyNo, must be re-entered
Author & Publish DateNew (Author may be current user, date is current)New (Author is current user, date is current)New (Author is current user, date is current)
Custom Post Types Specific DataVaries by plugin, good ones handle itDepends on page builder’s integration with custom post typesTypically No, only base content

As you can see from the table, dedicated duplication plugins tend to be the most thorough. They often give you options to control precisely which elements and post data are copied, verifying if post data exists before attempting transfer. Page builder templates are excellent for replicating design and content structured within the builder. The manual copy-paste method is more basic, primarily transferring the core content visible in the editor.

Always review your cloned page carefully to confirm everything you expected to be copied has been. This will help you avoid any surprises later on with your wordpress duplicate page.

Smart Steps After You Clone a WordPress Page

Once you’ve successfully cloned your WordPress page, your job isn’t quite finished. There are a few important follow-up steps to take. These actions help make sure your new page functions correctly and serves its intended purpose without causing any issues on your site, such as duplicate content penalties or broken user experiences.

  1. Rename the Cloned Page: The first thing you should do is give your new page a proper, descriptive title. Cloned pages often get generic names like “Copy of My Awesome Page” or “My Awesome Page – 2”. Change this to something meaningful that reflects the content of the new page.
  2. Update the Permalink (URL Slug): Along with the title, the permalink (the part of the URL that identifies the page) will also need attention. WordPress usually generates a slug based on the initial cloned title. Edit the slug to be clean, concise, and relevant to the new page’s content. You can usually edit this directly under the page title field in the wordpress dashboard.
  3. Thoroughly Review and Customize Content: Even if the new page is very similar to the original, read through all the content. Make any necessary adjustments; are there specific details like dates, names, or service descriptions that need to change? This is your chance to tailor the page perfectly and check your brand assets. If the original content had any specific intellectual property considerations, verify them for the new context.
  4. Check SEO Settings: This is a critical step for any wordpress post. Your new page must have its own unique SEO title and meta description (important seo data). Using the exact same SEO details as the original page can lead to duplicate content issues, which search engines penalize. If you use an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, open its settings panel on the edit screen for the new page and craft unique metadata. This tells search engines like Google what your new page is specifically about; refer to Google’s guide on duplicate content for more details.
  5. Test on Multiple Devices and Browsers: Before you consider the job done, preview your new page. Check how it looks and functions on a desktop computer, a tablet, and a smartphone. Also, try viewing it in different web browsers if possible. Click any links on the page to confirm they go to the correct destinations and that there are no unintentional duplicate link issues.
  6. Check Forms and Interactive Elements: If your page contains forms (e.g., contact forms, sign-ups), test them thoroughly. Confirm that submissions are working and notifications are being sent to the correct email address.
  7. Review Author and Publish Date: Check if the current user assigned as author is correct. Sometimes the cloning process assigns the user performing the clone as the author. Adjust if needed.
  8. Publish When Ready: Once you’ve completed all your reviews and customizations, and you’re happy with how the new page looks and works, it’s time to publish it. Or, if it’s not quite time for it to go live, you can schedule it to be published at a future date and time from your WordPress dashboard. Don’t forget to review your site’s privacy policy if the new page collects user data in a new way. Ensure elements like “rights reserved” footers are consistent if managed at the page level.

Taking these steps will help you integrate your cloned page smoothly into your website. It contributes to a good wordpress experience for your visitors and helps maintain your site’s SEO health.

Fixing Common Glitches with Page Cloning

While cloning WordPress pages is generally straightforward, especially with a quality post plugin, you might occasionally run into a little hiccup. Knowing how to troubleshoot common issues can save you some frustration. Most problems are usually quite simple to fix on the wordpress platform.

Layout Looks Broken or Messy:
Sometimes, after cloning, the layout on the new page doesn’t look quite right. Elements might be misaligned, or styling might be off. If you used the manual copy-paste method, you might have accidentally missed some code or pasted it incorrectly. Try the copy-paste process again, very carefully checking the content from the code editor.
If you used a plugin or page builder, this could sometimes indicate a conflict with your theme or another plugin. Confirm your theme, WordPress, and all plugins are updated to their latest versions. A simple refresh (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R) can also sometimes clear up browser caching issues that make a page look odd. Occasionally, a plugin might issue a creation failed notice if it encounters an unrecoverable error during the duplication process.

Plugin’s “Clone” or “Duplicate” Link is Missing:
If you’ve installed a duplication plugin but don’t see the option to clone pages in the action list, first double-check that the plugin is actually activated under “Plugins” > “Installed Plugins”. Some plugins also have settings where you can specify which content types (posts, pages, custom post types) the clone feature should be enabled for. Check the plugin’s settings page (often found under “Settings” or its own top-level menu item in WordPress).
Rarely, another plugin or your theme might interfere with its functionality. You can test for this by temporarily deactivating other plugins (except the cloning plugin and any essential ones like your page builder if relevant) and switching to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Three) to see if the clone option appears. The WordPress.org Support forums for the specific plugin can also be a valuable resource, as can the plugin developer’s own wordpress support channels, often accessible via an email address listed on their site or within the plugin’s resources resources.

Elementor Template Not Importing Correctly:
If you’re using Elementor’s template feature and it doesn’t import as expected, this could be due to very complex widgets, differing global style settings between sites (if moving between sites), or needing an update. Confirm both Elementor (free version) and Elementor Pro (if you use it) are current. Sometimes, importing a template section by section, rather than the whole page at once, can help isolate where a problem might be. Such issues can arise if expected post data exists checks fail or if some original post data structure is incompatible.

Cloned Page Gives a 404 Error:
If your newly cloned and published page shows a “404 Not Found” error, this often points to an issue with your WordPress permalink settings. A quick fix is to “flush” your permalinks. Go to “Settings” > “Permalinks” in your WordPress dashboard. Without making any changes, simply click the “Save Changes” button. This action often rebuilds your site’s URL structure in the background and can resolve such 404 errors for new pages.

Incomplete Clone or Missing Data:
Sometimes, a cloned page might be missing certain elements like custom fields or specific plugin-managed content. This often happens if the cloning method isn’t fully compatible with how that data is stored, or if a programmatic check like isset for a particular piece of post data returned false, causing it to be skipped. If post = null or some essential data exists = false internally during the cloning, parts might be omitted leading to a creation failed state for those elements. In such cases, check the cloning plugin’s settings for options related to copying all post metadata or custom fields.

Most issues you encounter when trying to clone WordPress page are manageable. A systematic approach to checking settings, confirming software is up-to-date, and isolating potential conflicts will usually get you back on track. Good wordpress development practices by plugin authors usually prevent many common problems. Also, your wordpress host, like WP Engine or specialized WooCommerce hosting, can sometimes influence plugin behavior, though quality wordpress hosting generally provides a stable environment.

Conclusion

Learning how to clone WordPress page is a fantastic skill to have in your website management toolkit. It’s a true time-saver, allowing you to build out new content more efficiently and improve your overall content management workflow. You can quickly replicate successful designs, duplicate posts for different purposes, or create testing environments without starting from scratch every time, freeing you up to focus on other aspects of your WordPress website.

Whether you choose the simplicity and thoroughness of a dedicated plugin like Yoast Duplicate Post, leverage the templating features of your favorite page builder, or opt for the control of the manual method for basic content copies, you’re now equipped with the knowledge. For a complete and easy replication, a well-regarded duplicate post plugin often provides the smoothest experience when you need to know how to clone WordPress page and all its associated settings and post data. This ultimate guide aims to provide clear steps for your post cloning needs.

So, the next time you need a similar page on your WordPress site, don’t dread the rework. Use these techniques for efficient post duplication, customize your new page, and enjoy the extra time you’ve saved. You’ll likely find it becomes a regular part of your workflow, especially for small businesses managing diverse content or developers needing quick setups.

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Nick Quirk

Nick Quirk is the COO & CTO of SEO Locale. With years of experience helping businesses grow online, he brings expert insights to every post. Learn more on his profile page.

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