Guide: How to Make a Test WordPress Website at No Cost

Creating a test WordPress website is a valuable skill for web developers, designers, and anyone interested in exploring WordPress functionalities without impacting their live site. Below, we provide a step-by-step guide on creating a free WordPress test site.

Before proceeding, let’s understand the advantages of having a test WordPress site:

• Experiment with themes and plugins.

• Test new features or updates.

• Develop new designs or functionalities.

• Debug issues without risking live website functionality.

Several platforms like TasteWP, ZipWP, and InstaWP and tools like Local WP allow you to create free test websites, hosting the WordPress site on your local computer or using temporary domains provided by hosting companies.

Step 1: Creating a Free Test Site Using Tastewp

Let’s start with the simplest method to set up a free test WordPress website:

• Visit the TasteWP website.

• Agree to the terms and click on “Set it up!”
• This action will instantly create a free WordPress website and grant you one-click login access to your WordPress dashboard.
• Interestingly, you do not need to create an account for this. The website will remain live for 3 days, after which it will be automatically deleted from the server. If you wish to extend the duration of your test WordPress site, you can sign up for a free account here.
• By doing so, all your test websites will remain active for 7 days. This will allow you to have more time for testing new features or making adjustments to your temporary site.
• If you prefer to prevent your site from expiring after 7 days, you will need to opt for their paid plans starting at 2.98 USD per month. Personally, I find this platform to be a valuable tool for creating test WordPress sites for my YouTube tutorials, saving me time.
• You can generate numerous free test sites with additional perks such as pre-installed themes, plugins, and even fully customized sites with content imported from your old site.

I highly recommend utilizing this platform to evaluate your themes and plugins before deploying them on your live site.

2. Using ZIPWP

ZipWP is an AI website builder tailored for WordPress that enables you to construct AI-driven WordPress websites swiftly.

ZipWP Features

1. AI-Powered Website Creation— Complete a WordPress site within 60 seconds using AI.

2. Beginner-Friendly—Streamlines website creation for users without coding skills.

3. Image Suggestions—Access free, relevant stock images based on your website’s niche.

4. Contact Form Integration—Offers pre-made contact forms and social media links for convenience.

5. Time-Saving—Drastically reduces development time, making it perfect for agencies and individuals.

Simply navigate to ZipWP and sign up for a free account using your Google account to access a dashboard similar to this. On this platform, you have the option to create up to 2 free test WordPress sites simultaneously. If you wish to create more, you must first delete your existing site. With the free plan, you receive 1GB of storage, and if you require additional storage, you can upgrade to the pro plans.

To create a test site, simply click on the “Create New” button below. You can choose to create either a blank website or a fully customized website built by AI. Opting for a blank website prompts you to enter the site title, following which the site will be generated instantly within 10 to 20 seconds.

After creating your site, you can log in to the dashboard without needing to enter any username or password.

Please note that the free websites expire after 24 hours, in contrast to TasteWP, where they expire after 7 days. If you prefer building a website using AI, you can explore ZipWP as an alternative to TasteWP.

3. LocalWP

LocalWP is software that can be installed on both Windows and Mac systems, enabling you to create free WordPress websites on your local computer. With this tool, you are not dependent on any external website and can retain your site for as long as necessary. This solution is particularly beneficial for developers who prefer to construct their websites from scratch and do not wish to make their site live until it is fully prepared for use.

Local by Flywheel Key Features

1. Effortless WordPress Installation: Streamlined setup for your site.

2. Customizable Environment Settings: Select your preferred PHP, database, and server configurations.

3. Seamless Integration with Flywheel and WP Engine: Easily connect with hosting services.

4. Save and Reuse Blueprints: Store settings, themes, and plugins for future projects.

5. Efficient Site Duplication: Clone sites with ease for testing purposes.

6. Built-in SSL Support: Enable secure HTTPS connections using self-signed certificates.

7. Comprehensive Database Management: Includes handy tools like Adminer and TablePlus.

8. Access to Developer Tool: Utilize WP-CLI and logs for efficient development.

9. Shareable Temporary URLs: Share sites using temporary live links (ngrok).

10. Compatibility Across Platforms: Works seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

11. Automatic Tool and Environment Updates: Ensures your tools and environments are always up to date.

12. Optimized for Speed and Efficiency: Lightweight design for minimal system resource consumption.

13. Free Usage with Optional Premium Features: Completely free to use, with additional premium features available.

To create a website, you’ll need to download the LocalWP software onto your computer. I’ve uploaded a detailed video guide on Local WP that explains the installation process and how to use the software.

Conclusion

Setting up a test WordPress site is crucial for safe exploration and learning. Whether you opt for free hosting, a local environment, or online tools, this procedure is simple and cost-effective. By following this guide, you can confidently establish a test WordPress website and delve into the world of WordPress without constraints.