Pushing to a Production Server

This guide walks you through the process of deploying a WordPress website to a production server, including backing up your development site, configuring hosting, setting up DNS, and establishing GitHub deployment workflows.

1. Backup Development Site:

   • Install a backup plugin, AkeebaBackup, and create a backup of the development site as a ZIP archive. Save it to your computer.

2. Create New Hosting within Synergy (if required):

   • Upload the website ZIP to the necessary directory and extract it.
   • Create a MySQL® database and user with full permissions.
   • Create FTP details for hosting or use the default hosting FTP account (found within service details on Synergy).

3. Point Domain DNS to Production Server:

   • Ensure the domain is pointing directly to the new hosting. If not, set up your local DNS to temporarily point to the hosting to view the website.
     • Modify Hosts File:
     1. Open Terminal.
     2. Run the following command to edit the hosts file:

        sudo nano /etc/hosts
     3. Enter your password when prompted.
     4. Add a new line with the server's IP address followed by the domain name, e.g.:

        123.456.789.012 domain.com
     5. Save the changes by pressing CTRL + O, then press Enter.
     6. Exit the editor by pressing CTRL + X.
     7. Flush the DNS cache to apply changes:

        sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

4. Continue with WordPress Setup:

   • Run through the WordPress setup. If using AkeebaBackup, go to https://domain/installation and complete the setup.
   • Save the login credentials to Bitwarden.
   • The site will now be set up on new hosting, but you need to link your repository to the hosting for quick deploys.

5. Configure GitHub Repository:

   • Paste the FTP password inside SETTINGS > SECRETS > ACTIONS in GitHub.
   • Name the secret PROD_FTP_PASS.

6. Prepare Codebase on Local Computer:

   • If not on the main branch already, switch to the main branch and merge the develop branch into main.
   • Go to your deploy.yaml file inside .github > workflows.
   • Add the correct FTP details and use {{ secrets.PROD_FTP_PASS }} for the password.
   • Ensure the correct directory is added (must end with /).
   • Commit to the main branch and view the progress of the commit within the GitHub Actions tab. Resolve any errors if necessary.
   • Once completed successfully, the codebase will be connected to the hosting.

7. Configure Hosting:

   • Go to the file manager within the hosting and configure the newly generated .env file with the database credentials.