If you’re building WordPress websites professionally, relying only on backups is not enough.

Accidental file deletion. Broken theme updates. Plugin conflicts. Client edits. Server crashes.

Without version control, fixing these issues becomes stressful and time-consuming.

That’s where Git version control for WordPress projects becomes essential.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn:

• What version control is
• Why WordPress developers should use Git
• What to track (and what not to track)
• How to structure a WordPress project with Git
• Deployment best practices
• Common mistakes to avoid

Let’s make your workflow professional.

What Is Version Control?

Version control is a system that tracks changes in files over time.

It allows you to:

• Revert to previous versions
• Track who made changes
• Collaborate safely
• Work on features without breaking live sites
• Maintain project history

The most popular version control system is:

• Git

Git is fast, distributed, and widely used in modern web development.

Why Use Git for WordPress Projects?

Many WordPress beginners avoid Git because WordPress feels “non-technical.” But for serious development, Git is a game changer.

Safe Development

You can experiment freely. If something breaks, revert instantly.

Team Collaboration

Multiple developers can work simultaneously without overwriting each other.

Feature Branching

Build new features separately before merging into the main version.

Deployment Control

Push updates cleanly to staging or production.

Professional Workflow

Using Git elevates WordPress from hobby-level to production-level development.

What Should You Version Control in WordPress?

This is where many beginners get confused.

You should track:

• Custom themes
• Child themes
• Custom plugins
• mu-plugins
• Configuration files
• Composer files (if used)
• Custom code
• Deployment scripts

You should NOT track:

• WordPress core files
• Uploads directory (usually)
• Cache files
• Vendor libraries (if using Composer with lock file)
• Database

WordPress is part application + part content system. Git tracks code — not content.

Recommended WordPress Project Structure

Instead of committing everything, use a structured setup.

Typical approach:

/project-root
  /wp-content
    /themes
    /plugins
  wp-config.php
  composer.json
  .gitignore

Your .gitignore file should exclude:

/wp-admin/
/wp-includes/
/wp-content/uploads/
/wp-content/cache/
/wp-content/backups/

This keeps your repository clean and lightweight.

How to Set Up Git for a WordPress Project

Step 1: Initialize Git

Inside your project root:

git init

This creates a new Git repository.

Step 2: Add .gitignore

Create a .gitignore file to exclude unnecessary files.

Step 3: Stage Files

git add .

Step 4: First Commit

git commit -m "Initial WordPress project setup"

Now your project is version-controlled.

Using Remote Repositories

To collaborate or deploy, connect your project to a remote repository platform such as:

• GitHub
• GitLab
• Bitbucket

Example:

git remote add origin https://github.com/username/project.git
git push -u origin main

Now your WordPress project is stored securely online.

Branching Strategy for WordPress Projects

Using branches keeps your workflow organized.

Main Branch

main → production-ready code

Development Branch

develop → ongoing work

Feature Branches

feature/homepage-redesign
feature/payment-integration

After testing, merge features into develop, then into main.

This prevents breaking live sites.

Managing WordPress Core with Git

There are two common approaches:

Option 1: Do Not Version Core

Install WordPress separately on the server. Only track wp-content.

This is simpler for most developers.

Option 2: Manage with Composer

Advanced developers use Composer to manage WordPress core and plugins.

This approach provides:

• Cleaner dependency management
• Controlled updates
• Reproducible environments

Best for larger projects.

Handling the Database

Git does not track databases.

Instead, use:

• Database migration tools
• Export/import scripts
• WP-CLI for database sync

For example, using:

• WP-CLI

You can export database:

wp db export

Never commit raw database dumps into your repository unless absolutely necessary.

Deployment Strategies

Version control becomes powerful when combined with structured deployment.

Option 1: Manual Deployment

• Pull from repository on server
• Clear cache
• Test functionality

Option 2: Automated Deployment

Set up CI/CD pipelines using:

• GitHub Actions

Automated deployment ensures:

• Fewer human errors
• Consistent releases
• Faster updates

Best Practices for WordPress + Git

✔ Commit frequently
✔ Write meaningful commit messages
✔ Use branches properly
✔ Keep repository clean
✔ Never commit sensitive data
✔ Store environment variables securely
✔ Use separate staging environment
✔ Test before merging to main

Professional workflows reduce stress.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

❌ Committing entire WordPress installation
❌ Tracking uploads folder
❌ Pushing sensitive credentials
❌ Working directly on production
❌ Not using branches
❌ Making huge unstructured commits
❌ Ignoring .gitignore

Avoid these mistakes to maintain clean repositories.

When Should You Use Version Control?

You should use Git if:

• You build custom themes
• You develop plugins
• You manage multiple client projects
• You collaborate with developers
• You want safe rollbacks
• You want professional workflow

If you’re editing files directly on live hosting without version control, you’re taking unnecessary risks.

Benefits for Freelancers and Agencies

Using Git improves:

• Client confidence
• Project stability
• Handover clarity
• Team collaboration
• Long-term maintainability

It separates professionals from casual site builders.

Final Thoughts

Version control for WordPress projects is no longer optional for serious development.

Git provides:

• Security
• Structure
• Collaboration
• Scalability
• Professional workflow

Even if you start small — begin versioning your themes and custom plugins today.

Once you experience the safety and control Git offers, you’ll never go back to manual file editing again.

Start implementing Version Control for WordPress Projects today and upgrade your workflow to professional-level development standards.