Question

How to Copy Pages in WordPress Easily: Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on by William Zheng

Ever found yourself wishing you could quickly duplicate a beautifully designed page on your WordPress site, but weren’t sure how? Copying pages isn’t just a time-saver—it helps maintain consistency and efficiency, especially as your website grows.

Many site owners and creators need this skill to streamline updates or launch new pages with an existing look. In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to copy pages in WordPress, step by step, along with helpful tips to make the process effortless.

Related Video

How to Copy Pages in WordPress: A Complete Guide

Duplicating pages in WordPress is a time-saver that can streamline your website management and content creation. Whether you want to reuse a complex layout, create templates for future pages, or move content between sites, knowing how to copy pages easily is essential.

In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step methods for copying WordPress pages—using plugins, built-in features, or even manual approaches. No matter your skill level, you’ll find the right solution for your needs.

Why Copy Pages in WordPress?

Copying pages in WordPress isn’t just about convenience. Here are a few reasons you might want to duplicate pages:

  • Consistency: Maintain branding and formatting across similar pages.
  • Efficiency: Save time when creating similar layouts or recurring content (like services, portfolios, or landing pages).
  • Testing: Safely experiment with changes without affecting the original page.
  • Site Migration: Move content from one website to another with ease.

Methods to Copy a WordPress Page

Let’s explore the most common and effective ways to duplicate WordPress pages. Each method varies in complexity, so choose one that matches your comfort level and needs.

1. Using a WordPress Plugin (Recommended for Most Users)

Plugins offer the easiest and most efficient way to duplicate pages. Many are free and beginner-friendly.

Popular Plugins for Duplicating Pages

  • Duplicate Post / Page
  • Yoast Duplicate Post
  • Elementor (for Elementor-designed pages)
  • WP Page Clone

How to Duplicate a Page with a Plugin

  1. Install and Activate the Plugin

    • Go to your WordPress dashboard.
    • Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
    • Search for the plugin by name (e.g., “Yoast Duplicate Post”).
    • Click Install and then Activate.

  2. Locate the Page to Duplicate

    • Go to Pages (or Posts for blog content).
    • Hover over the page or post you wish to copy.

  3. Duplicate the Page

  4. Click the new option (e.g., “Clone”, “Duplicate”, or “Copy to a new draft”).

  5. A new draft will be created with the same content and settings as the original.

  6. Edit and Publish

  7. Click on the duplicated draft to edit.
  8. Make any changes needed (title, text, images, layout).
  9. Click Publish once you’re ready.

Key Benefits of Plugin Method

  • Saves Time: Instantly duplicate all content, including images, formatting, and metadata.
  • Safe: Original content stays untouched.
  • Flexible Settings: Some plugins allow you to copy additional attributes like SEO data, templates, or custom fields.

Potential Challenges

  • Plugin Overload: Installing too many plugins may impact site speed. Stick to well-reviewed, essential plugins only.
  • Compatibility: Always ensure your plugin is regularly updated and compatible with your WordPress version.

2. Copying Pages Manually (No Plugins Needed)

If you prefer not to use additional plugins, you can manually copy your page content. This approach is straightforward but less comprehensive since some meta-information or settings might not copy over.

How to Manually Copy a Page

  1. Open the Page to Copy
  2. Go to Pages > All Pages.

  3. Click Edit on the page you wish to copy.

  4. Copy Content

  5. Use Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac) to select all content in the editor.

  6. Copy using Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac).

  7. Create New Page

  8. Navigate to Pages > Add New.

  9. Paste Content

  10. Click into the new page editor.

  11. Paste the content using Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (Mac).

  12. Update Title & Settings

    • Enter a new page title.
    • Adjust categories, tags, featured images, or page attributes.

  13. Publish

Pros and Cons of Manual Copying

  • Pros:
  • No need for any plugins.

  • Good for small-scale copying.

  • Cons:

  • Does not copy custom settings, templates, or SEO metadata.
  • Manual, so less efficient for complex pages.
  • Easy to overlook elements (like custom fields or featured images).

3. Duplicating Pages with a Page Builder (Elementor, Divi, etc.)

If you use a visual page builder like Elementor or Divi, you have specialized options to copy entire layouts, even between sites.

Using Elementor

  • Duplicate from the Library:

    • Save your page as a template.
    • Go to another page and insert this template.

  • Right-Click & Copy:

    • In Elementor, you can right-click on sections and save them for reuse or copy/paste across pages.

Using Divi

  • Save to Library:
    • Save entire layouts or sections to the Divi Library.
    • Load them into new pages as needed.

Benefits

  • Preserves Complex Design: Ideal for visually rich layouts and reusable modules.
  • Speed: Create multiple pages with identical structure in seconds.

Considerations

  • Works only within the page builder’s environment.
  • Transferring content between different page builders may not work as expected.

4. Copying Pages Between Different WordPress Sites (Migration)

Need to duplicate content from one WordPress site to another? Here’s how:

Export/Import Tool (Built-in WordPress Feature)

  1. Export Content
  2. Go to Tools > Export on the source site.

  3. Choose Pages and download the export file.

  4. Import Content

  5. On the new site, go to Tools > Import.
  6. Choose WordPress importer and upload the export file.

Considerations

  • This will import not only content but also media attachments.
  • Formatting may require adjustments, especially if themes or plugins differ between sites.
  • Suitable for bulk duplication, not just a single page.

Best Practices for Copying Pages in WordPress

  • Rename Duplicates: Always change your duplicated page’s title and slug to avoid confusion and SEO issues.
  • Review Settings: Double-check settings like visibility, featured images, meta descriptions, tags, and categories.
  • Update Internal Links: Ensure that any internal links reflect the new context or page path.
  • Limit Duplicates: Don’t keep unnecessary drafts or duplicates live to avoid clutter and muddled analytics.
  • Test Before Going Live: Preview your duplicated page to ensure everything looks and works as intended.
  • Use Staging Environments: For complex changes, consider using a staging (test) site to duplicate and tweak pages safely.

Cost Tips

Copying pages in WordPress is mostly free:

  • Plugins: The top plugins for duplicating pages (like Yoast Duplicate Post) are available at no cost. Some offer premium features but are completely usable for free.
  • Manual Copy: Does not require any additional cost.
  • Migration: Basic tools are built-in. However, extensive migration or copying between sites may require premium plugins for advanced features (like keeping custom fields, user roles, or WooCommerce data intact).

Pro tip: Only invest in a premium plugin if you frequently copy pages across multiple sites or need specialized features (like scheduled duplicates, bulk action, or cross-domain copying).

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

1. Duplicated SEO Issues

Having two or more identical pages can confuse search engines. To avoid problems:
– Update content for each copy.
– Remove old duplicates once new pages are published.

2. Broken Layouts or Missing Images

Occasionally, media or modules may not duplicate perfectly—especially when switching themes or builders.
– Re-upload media if missing.
– Check layouts and adjust as needed.

3. Copying Custom Fields or Metadata

Manual copy does not cover special fields.
– Rely on reputable plugins for a complete copy.
– For advanced fields, consider export/import via plugins that handle metadata.

Expert Tips

  • Set User Permissions: Limit who can duplicate pages to maintain content quality and avoid accidental clones.
  • Automate Repetitive Content: If you often create similar content types (like sales pages or event listings), consider making reusable templates.
  • Backup Regularly: Always keep a backup of your site before copying or migrating content.

Wrapping Up

Copying pages in WordPress is a straightforward process that adapts to your workflow—whether you prefer the simplicity of plugins, the hands-on approach of manual copying, or powerful tools from your favorite page builder. By following the outlined steps and best practices, you’ll keep your site organized, consistent, and ready for growth.

Remember to always review and edit duplicated content to maintain SEO and prevent confusion for your visitors. And for advanced needs, there are plugins and built-in tools ready to help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I copy a WordPress page without a plugin?
You can manually copy by selecting all content in the page editor, copying it, then pasting it into a new page. This method is simple but doesn’t carry over settings, custom fields, or featured images.

Is it safe to use plugins to duplicate pages?
Yes, as long as you use well-reviewed and regularly updated plugins from the official WordPress repository. Always keep plugins updated and avoid unnecessary ones to ensure site performance and security.

Will duplicating a page affect my SEO?
Having exact copies of content can confuse search engines and may hurt SEO if both are live. Always edit duplicated pages—change titles, descriptions, and content—before publishing.

Can I copy a page to another WordPress website?
Absolutely. Use WordPress’s built-in export/import tools, or specialized migration plugins, to move pages between different sites. Review layout and adjust settings after importing to ensure consistency.

Does duplicating a WordPress page keep all my images and formatting?
If you use a plugin designed for duplication, all content, images, and formatting are usually copied. Manual copying only duplicates what’s inside the content editor, so some formatting or elements may need to be added back manually.

By mastering these page copying techniques, you’ll make your WordPress workflow faster, more flexible, and future-proof—no matter how your website grows.

Post Views: 11