How do you safely test and implement new features on your website?

2 Use a development environment

You don't want to make changes to your live website without testing them first. That's why you need a development environment, which is a separate copy of your website that you can use to create, modify, and test new features, without affecting your real website. A development environment can be a local server on your computer, a remote server online, or a cloud-based service. You can use tools like Git, FTP, or WordPress plugins to sync your development and live websites.

3 Implement version control

Another way to avoid messing up your live website is to use version control, which is a system that tracks and manages the changes you make to your website files. Version control allows you to create different versions or branches of your website, each with different features or updates. You can then compare, merge, or revert these versions, depending on the results of your testing. Version control also helps you collaborate with other developers, backup your work, and document your progress.

4 Test your features

Before you launch your new features, you need to test them thoroughly, to ensure they work as intended, and don't cause any errors or bugs. You can use various testing methods, such as unit testing, integration testing, usability testing, and accessibility testing, to check different aspects of your features, such as functionality, compatibility, performance, and user satisfaction. You can also use tools like Google Analytics, Google Optimize, or Hotjar, to collect and analyze data from your testing.

5 Use a staging environment

Once you have tested your features in your development environment, you need to test them again in a staging environment, which is a replica of your live website that is not accessible to the public. A staging environment allows you to see how your features will look and behave on your real website, without exposing them to your users or search engines. You can use the same tools as in your development environment to sync and test your staging and live websites.

6 Roll out your features gradually

Finally, when you are ready to launch your new features, you need to do it gradually, to minimize the risk of negative feedback or backlash from your users or search engines. You can use techniques like feature flags, A/B testing, or beta testing, to release your features to a small or selected group of users, and monitor their response and behavior. You can then adjust, improve, or remove your features, based on the data and feedback you collect, before you launch them to your entire audience.