How To Duplicate WordPress Page or Post

If you’re managing a WordPress website, you’re likely familiar with the time-consuming process of creating and updating pages.

This is where cloning comes in as a massive time-saver. By duplicating a page, you can quickly generate a new one with similar content, formatting, and layout, eliminating the need to start from scratch.

This method is not only efficient but also ensures consistency across your site.

Three Methods to Duplicate Pages in WordPress

1. Using a WordPress Duplicate Plugin

The most user-friendly option is to use a WordPress plugin for duplication. I always use the Yoast Duplicate Page plugin for my sites and my client’s sites.

Step 1: Install the Duplicate Page Plugin

1. Navigate to Plugins: On your WordPress dashboard, go to the left sidebar and click on “Plugins.”
2. Add New Plugin: Click on “Add New” at the top of the Plugins page.
3. Search for the Plugin: In the search bar, type “Yoast Duplicate Page.”
4. Install the Plugin: Look for the “Yoast Duplicate Page” plugin (usually recognized by its high number of active installations and positive ratings) and click on “Install Now.”
5. Activate the Plugin: After installation, click on “Activate” to start using the plugin.

Step 2: Configure Plugin Settings (Optional)

• Access Settings: To configure settings, go to the “Settings” on the left sidebar and find the option for “Duplicate Page.”
• Edit Settings: Here, you can edit various settings to suit your needs, like post status of duplicated content (draft, private, publish), redirection after duplication, etc.

Step 3: Duplicate a Post or Page

1. Go to Posts or Pages: Navigate to “Posts” or “Pages” on your WordPress dashboard.
2. Choose a Post/Page to Duplicate: Hover over the title of the post or page you want to duplicate.
3. Click ‘Duplicate This’: You will now see a “Clone” button next to each post or page. Click this button to create a duplicate.
4. Edit the Duplicated Content: The duplicated post or page will appear as a draft (or according to the status you set). You can then edit it as needed.

2. Using Gutenberg Editor

The Gutenberg editor offers a straightforward way to duplicate content, it’s an OK method in some cases but not as powerful as the first one described:

1. Copy Content: In your WordPress dashboard, select the page to be duplicated and choose the ‘Copy All Content’ option.
2. Create a New Page: Go back to the dashboard, create a new page, and paste the copied content.

Note: This method copies the page’s main body but not its metadata, such as titles, permalinks, or SEO data. These elements must be set manually.

3. Adding a Code Snippet to the Functions.PHP File

For those who prefer not using a plugin, adding a custom code to your site’s functions.php file is a viable option.

1. Access Functions.PHP: Access the file using the WordPress theme editor or an FTP client.
2. Add Custom Code: Refer to this GitHub snippet and just copy the function to your functions.php file.
3. Go to your Posts or Pages listing and you will see a new option named “Duplicate”

Why Clone?

let me share some insights from my personal experience with duplicating posts and pages in WordPress, which I’ve found incredibly beneficial for various projects:

1. Creating Templates for Brand Consistency: In my experience, having a consistent layout across various pages enhances brand identity. By duplicating a page that has the ideal layout and style, I’ve been able to maintain this consistency effortlessly.
2. Streamlining Content Production: For sites that publish content regularly, duplicating posts can save time. Instead of creating a new post from scratch each time, you can start with a duplicate that already has the desired structure, saving time on layout and formatting.
3. Experimentation Without Risk: If you want to experiment with different layouts, styles, or content without altering the original page, duplicating allows you to make changes on a copy without risking the integrity of the live page.
4. Efficient Multilingual Content Management: In managing multilingual websites, duplicating pages has streamlined the process of creating versions in different languages. This ensures that each version maintains the same format and layout, providing a uniform user experience.
5. E-commerce Product Pages: Running an e-commerce site, I’ve frequently duplicated product pages when adding new items similar to existing ones. This has significantly reduced the time spent on creating each new product page.

Conclusion

Duplicating a post or page in WordPress is as simple as that! It’s a great way to quickly replicate content for editing or repurposing.