Introducing Staging Version 2.0

Last year we launched our Staging service to make it easier for our users to follow the best site development practices. The tool was received very well by our users and we have gathered some invaluable feedback. Based on the way people were using the tool, we now add few more great new features to it. The new SiteGround Staging version currently released will provide our advanced users with more flexibility and control over the staging copies, while keeping the current basic and easy-to-use functionality intact. Read on to find out more about the new features you have at your disposal!

More Control What Goes In

We’ve made some awesome changes under the hood of the staging tool that cannot be noticed at first glance but are very useful for the actual development process. One of them is that we’re now checking for files outside the default application file structure and allow you to choose whether such files and folders to be added to the staging copies you create. Until now, all folders outside the application file structure weren’t included in the staging copy. It turned out, however, that many people add more folders and use them for their designs. On the other hand, people tend to store data, irrelevant to their sites in directories under their site root folder. That’s why we’re asking you whether you want to add or not such content to your staging copy.

Easier Git Repository Creation

The first thing you will notice in the Staging tool is that it has a new, cleaner interface with a new page for all staging copies you’ve made for each one of your sites. Here, you will find the shiny new Create a Git Repo button.  It allows you to create a new Git repository for the staging copy you have selected with a single click. You can find detailed instructions on how to use Git with your SiteGround account in our SG-Git Tutorial.

Advanced Push To Live

When you’re done with the changes you’ve made to your staging copy, eventually you will press the green button called Push to live. In the new version of our tool, when you do this, you will see a pop-up asking you whether you want to make an Easy Push or Advanced Push. You’re already familiar with the Easy Push – it will simply clone all the changes you’ve made to your staging copy over to your live site including both files and database changes.

The Advanced Push is a completely new option available for you! When you select it, our Staging tool will compare all the files, folders and database modifications you’ve made and provide you with a list of those changes so you can choose which modifications to be pushed live. This is extremely useful, because in cases when your live site is getting a lot of visitors, comments, orders, subscriptions, you wouldn’t want to change it’s database, because you will use all the new data since the staging copy was created. And this is just one case that the Advanced Push is really useful for.

Need More Information About The SiteGround Staging Tool?

For detailed information on how to use the tool, check out the Staging tutorial we’ve prepared for you. In addition to that, we’re organizing a live hangout on April 1st 2014 (no joke 🙂 ) that you can join here. If you have questions about the tool and the new features we’ve added to it, that’s a great place to ask them!