WordPress Deployment Workflow

Streamlining Your WordPress Deployment Workflow

In the realm of WordPress development, the process of deploying your website can be as varied as the themes and plugins available in the vast WordPress ecosystem. Each developer may have their preferred tools and strategies. In this guide, we will explore my personal WordPress deployment workflow as a solo developer, with a focus on different scenarios and the tools I employ to make the process seamless.

Situation 1: The Inaugural Deployment

Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” plays in the background

When it comes to deploying a brand-new WordPress site to a live server, I have a go-to solution that has never failed to impress me – DesktopServer. This tool not only facilitates the creation of development sites but also provides a fantastic method for deploying a WordPress site to a live server.

The magic lies in its “quick deploy” feature, which requires only a live server with WordPress pre-installed. Simply provide the admin credentials for the destination site, press a button, and watch the magic unfold. Your local site seamlessly replaces the destination site. It’s so effortless that it almost hurts.

Situation 2: Updating Theme or Plugin Files

Now, let’s consider a scenario where I’ve made alterations to theme or plugin files on my local site that need to be pushed to the live server. Unfortunately, DesktopServer’s quick deploy won’t work here, as it replaces the entire live site. I need a more precise solution for pushing only the changed files.

Option 1: Quick and Dirty

For simple projects where fancy solutions are unnecessary, I opt for the good old plain FTP/SFTP method. It gets the job done with minimal overhead, making it perfect for straightforward file transfers.

Option 2: Version Control with Git

When dealing with projects that involve ongoing changes, Git push is my weapon of choice. Although it requires more initial setup than an SFTP client, it pays off in the long run, especially when working in a live staging environment where frequent file tweaks are the norm. For a detailed guide on using Git push with WP Engine, check out my article here.

Option 3: Automated Deployment

Although I no longer use this method, automated deployment is still worth mentioning. Automated deployment involves triggering actions that deploy code to a server when it’s pushed to a specified repository. Tools like DeployBot and Beanstalk have served me well in the past, allowing for advanced actions like script execution and code compilation during deployment. If you’re seeking a simpler “push to deploy” solution with extra features, consider the WP Pusher or Github updater plugins.

Situation 3: Syncing Content Between Local and Live

Historically, syncing content between a local WordPress install and a live server has been a tedious task, particularly when it involves database synchronization. However, a game-changer has arrived in the form of WPSiteSync by Dave Jesch.

Imagine effortlessly pushing new posts with media attachments from your local environment to your live site—it’s now possible with WPSiteSync. This plugin supports bi-directional syncing, allowing content to flow both ways between local and live. Currently, it can sync regular posts, custom post types, and authors, with plans to expand its support for other content types like menus, users, and comments. Additionally, the Beaver Builder extension makes working with Beaver Builder smoother in a local development environment.

Situation 4: Database Replacement

In situations where you need to build a new WordPress theme or modify an existing one for a client with an existing WordPress site, it’s crucial to work with their actual content and media files, not placeholders like bacon ipsum or placeholder kittens. This is where Migrate DB Pro steps in as the ultimate solution.

When faced with this scenario, I install Migrate DB Pro on both my local and live sites. This versatile tool enables me to seamlessly pull down the entire database, along with media files if needed, to my local installation. Of course, you can also push changes from local to live. While there are various scenarios for its usage, I find Migrate DB Pro most valuable when initially accessing an existing WordPress site.

Situation 5: Merging Two Databases

Merging two databases in WordPress has historically been a headache without an elegant solution—until now. Allow me to introduce you to MergeBot, a game-changing product developed by the same team behind Migrate DB Pro.

MergeBot is designed to tackle the challenge of merging two WordPress databases seamlessly. This innovative solution resolves one of the most significant pain points in WordPress site management. To illustrate its relevance, let’s examine a real-world example:

Suppose you’re tasked with merging two WordPress sites, each with its unique content and configurations. MergeBot simplifies this complex process, ensuring a smooth transition and eliminating the need for manual data manipulation.

In conclusion, your WordPress deployment workflow can greatly benefit from these tools and strategies, tailored to your specific needs and project requirements. Whether you’re a solo developer or part of a collaborative team, optimizing your deployment process is essential for delivering efficient and reliable WordPress websites.