Test WordPress Using IP Instead of Domain

Sometimes, you may need to access your WordPress site directly by IP instead of its domain name—whether for testing, troubleshooting, or development purposes. Understanding how this works can help you keep your design and functionality on track.

Understanding “Open WordPress Site by IP Instead of Domain Name”

When you type your website’s domain in the browser, it resolves to an IP address via DNS. However, if you bypass the domain and access the site directly by IP, WordPress may not display as expected—often redirecting back to the domain. This happens because WordPress stores the site URL in its settings, which controls how assets and links are generated.

Common Reasons to Access WordPress by IP

• Development & Staging – Working on a new site before the domain is connected.
• DNS Propagation Issues – Testing the site while waiting for DNS changes to go live.
• Server Troubleshooting – Checking server response without domain-level variables.

Challenges of Opening a WordPress Site by IP

While possible, using an IP instead of a domain can cause:

• Mixed Content Issues – Images and scripts may not load if URLs still point to the domain.
• Redirect Loops – WordPress settings may force a domain redirect.
• Design Breaks – CSS and JS files might fail to load, altering your site’s layout.

From a design perspective, this is critical—an incomplete load can lead to wrong conclusions about layout or performance.

Solutions and Best Practices

1. Adjust WordPress Address Settings

In Settings > General, change the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) to use the server’s IP during testing. Remember to revert these after testing to prevent SEO or SSL issues.

2. Update Hosts File

Modify your local computer’s hosts file to point the domain to the IP. This way, the browser still thinks it’s loading from the domain, preserving design integrity.

3. Use a Staging Subdomain or Temporary Domain

Many designers and developers prefer using a staging environment. This ensures consistent design review without disrupting the live domain.

Why It Matters for Website Design

Accessing by IP can help identify backend or server-level problems, but it’s not ideal for final design checks. Since WordPress themes, custom layouts, and media often rely on absolute URLs, testing by domain ensures all visual elements are loaded correctly.

For professional WordPress design work, ensuring that staging and testing environments mirror the live domain as closely as possible is key to preventing last-minute visual or functional surprises.

Final Thoughts

Opening a WordPress site by IP instead of a domain name is a useful troubleshooting tool, but not a substitute for proper domain-based testing. By combining technical adjustments with a design-conscious approach, you can keep both functionality and aesthetics intact from development to launch.

For businesses seeking a polished, conversion-focused WordPress design, AIRSANG DESIGN can provide the expertise to build and optimize your website from the ground up.