· Mimi · Tech · 2 min read
Joomla Website Release Management
A safe way to deploy from Joomla staging to production without losing new live data.
It’s common to use a staging site to build changes safely before pushing them to your live Joomla site. But overwriting the production site with your staging copy can erase things created in the meantime — like new users or form entries.
This happens because you’re replacing both the code and the database, and the database holds dynamic data like user accounts.
The problem
Let’s say a user signs up on the live site Monday. On Wednesday, you push your staging copy, which includes an old database snapshot. Now Monday’s user is gone.
Fix: Separate file and database updates
To avoid this, only deploy files from staging and leave the live database untouched.
What to do:
Export code only
Push template files, media, and extensions from staging to live. Do not copy over the database unless you’re sure nothing new was added on live.Make live database changes manually
If your update involved new content types or configuration, apply those changes directly to the live database. Use phpMyAdmin, Admin Tools, or database diff tools if needed.Use an extension for sync
Look into tools like Akeeba Backup, J2XML, or Fabrik to move selected content, users, or settings between sites. These tools let you merge instead of replace.Freeze live logins during major pushes
If you must replace the live database (rare), consider putting the live site into maintenance mode temporarily, or disabling new user registrations briefly. Let users know before you do this.Document what changes are code vs. content
Keep a small release note file listing:
- CSS/template changes
- Module positions or override updates
- Plugin configuration steps
This helps you repeat safe deployments without forgetting small items.
In short:
Never push the entire staging site over live without a plan for data merge. Most changes can be rolled out with code-only updates and a few manual content tweaks.
If you can separate theme and backend work from live user activity, your site will stay stable and safe.