What is the best practice for working with test sites and live sites in Webflow to avoid accidentally publishing changes to the live site instead of the test site?

Published on
September 22, 2023

When working with test and live sites in Webflow, it's important to follow best practices to avoid accidentally publishing changes to the live site instead of the test site. Here are some recommended steps to ensure a smooth workflow:

  1. Create separate projects: Start by creating two separate projects in Webflow - one for the live site and another for the test site. This will help you keep the sites organized and prevent any confusion.

  2. Set up custom domains: Assign custom domains to your projects, such as "www.example.com" for the live site and "test.example.com" for the test site. This will make it easier to differentiate between the two and reduce the chances of mistakenly publishing to the wrong site.

  3. Use Cloning and Staging: Take advantage of Webflow's cloning and staging features. Clone your live site into the test project, allowing you to make changes and test them without affecting the live site. Once you're satisfied with the changes, you can then push them to the live site.

  4. Enable password protection: Enable password protection on the test site to prevent unauthorized access. This adds an extra layer of security and ensures that only authorized individuals can view and test the changes.

  5. Verify URLs: Double-check the URLs before making any changes. Ensure that you are working on the correct project and that you're not making any changes to the live site by mistake.

  6. Use proper version control: Webflow automatically saves versions of your site as you work, allowing you to review and revert back to previous versions if needed. Regularly save and name versions to keep track of your progress and easily revert back if something goes wrong.

  7. Communicate with your team: If you're working with a team, it's crucial to communicate clearly about which site you're making changes to. Establish a system or protocol to avoid confusion and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Following these best practices will help you maintain separate test and live sites in Webflow and avoid any accidental publishing to the wrong site, ensuring a smooth and error-free workflow.

Additional Questions:

  1. How can I safely test changes on my Webflow site without affecting the live site?
  2. Is it possible to revert back to a previous version of my site in Webflow?
  3. What is the importance of password protection for test sites in Webflow?