How to customize wp theme offline or "not live"?

satrap · 10-25-2009, 06:11 PM

Thanks for taking time to read this. is there anyway to edit and customize a wordpress theme without having to do it live? i mean like a software or something that you can upload your theme and work on it without people being able to see it? i am farley new in this filed, so i don't want to do it live and risk messing up what i already have setup. i heard something about doing it on local server or something like that, now is that the only way? if yes how would you go bout it, and if no, what are some other options?
thank you so much in advance.

houdy · 10-25-2009, 06:33 PM

I suggest setting up a separate test blog somewhere in a different directory or even a subdomain on your domain. Then you can go crazy experimenting all you want. When you get the theme how you want just copy it over to the live one.

mywebwork · 10-25-2009, 06:43 PM

As Jeff said, a separate installation of WordPress is the easiest way to do this - it's also a good way to determine the optimum setting for plugins and other configuration settings.

You can simply install another instance of WordPress in a subdirectory off your main site. Another method is to use WAMP to install an Apache Server, MySQL and PHP on your Windows workstation. You can then install Word Press under WAMP and edit your themes and settings offline.

Once you have your "development site" working perfectly you can mimic the installation on your hosting account and use WordPress's Export function to transfer the content.

I have a separate Ubuntu LINUX server that I use for exactly this sort of thing, by creating virtual servers I test and adjust every aspect of my site before putting it on my hosting account. Not only does it let you "fine tune" everything offline, it also has another use - I keep my local copy synchronized with the production site with periodic backups, effectively giving me a disaster recovery mechanism.

Bill

satrap · 10-25-2009, 08:11 PM

thank you guys, i heard about the wamp thing and also XAMPP thing, but i never even thought about what houdy said about using a subdomain. that would be the best way for me since i am not very technical. ill give both a try. thank you so much for taking the time to explain it to me.

Leron Ford · 11-06-2009, 02:05 PM

I'm pretty sure there is a plugin that does something along the lines of what you're looking for. In a nutshell, you (as the admin) would be able to test drive the theme you are making changes to while visitors to your site would see the default theme.

Go to wordpress.org/extend/plugins and type in themes and see if any of those plugins might be of value to you.

Thanks,

Leron

Terry Loving · 11-06-2009, 02:12 PM

I install WP for clients and use a "test" domain to set it up so we can talk about the design features / colors and placement that they want. It allows one to view the changes quickly and then you can reproduce them on the domain installation.

Terry

fajar78 · 11-06-2009, 06:20 PM

if me, i create localhost in my PC, its more fast

Manda · 11-06-2009, 08:07 PM

I have a test domain on a .info address which I use as my playground.

I recently brought a WSO called Instant Wordpress which gives the features of WP on your local PC so you can work offline (and no technical skills required to install it). Have only just started using it but so far it is working well - I find it a great environment for teaching yourself how the code works.

fatai olanrewaju · 11-07-2009, 04:24 AM

what do you mean by wp theme and how is it use in wordpress

10-25-2009, 06:11 PM	#1
satrap Advanced Warrior Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Saint louis, Missouri Posts: 797 Thanks: 438 Thanked 208 Times in 86 Posts	How to customize wp theme offline or "not live"? Thanks for taking time to read this. is there anyway to edit and customize a wordpress theme without having to do it live? i mean like a software or something that you can upload your theme and work on it without people being able to see it? i am farley new in this filed, so i don't want to do it live and risk messing up what i already have setup. i heard something about doing it on local server or something like that, now is that the only way? if yes how would you go bout it, and if no, what are some other options? thank you so much in advance.
	25.gov &.edu + 150 other Dofollow List- Full Master Resell Rights $5 for 20 Online Money Making e-Books My blog on how to Make Money Online\|53 Ways to make money online\| Happy Quotes

10-25-2009, 06:33 PM	#2
houdy Advanced Warrior Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Midwest Posts: 971 Thanks: 1 Thanked 63 Times in 52 Posts	Re: How to customize wp theme offline or "not live"? I suggest setting up a separate test blog somewhere in a different directory or even a subdomain on your domain. Then you can go crazy experimenting all you want. When you get the theme how you want just copy it over to the live one.
	Jeff Houdyschell WordPress Guides \| WordPress Installation Work At Home Business Blog \| Proven Income Opportunities \| Best Work At Home Jobs

10-25-2009, 06:43 PM	#3
mywebwork Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA & Montreal Canada Posts: 2,218 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 759 Thanked 724 Times in 505 Posts	Re: How to customize wp theme offline or "not live"? As Jeff said, a separate installation of WordPress is the easiest way to do this - it's also a good way to determine the optimum setting for plugins and other configuration settings. You can simply install another instance of WordPress in a subdirectory off your main site. Another method is to use WAMP to install an Apache Server, MySQL and PHP on your Windows workstation. You can then install Word Press under WAMP and edit your themes and settings offline. Once you have your "development site" working perfectly you can mimic the installation on your hosting account and use WordPress's Export function to transfer the content. I have a separate Ubuntu LINUX server that I use for exactly this sort of thing, by creating virtual servers I test and adjust every aspect of my site before putting it on my hosting account. Not only does it let you "fine tune" everything offline, it also has another use - I keep my local copy synchronized with the production site with periodic backups, effectively giving me a disaster recovery mechanism. Bill

10-25-2009, 08:11 PM	#4
satrap Advanced Warrior Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Saint louis, Missouri Posts: 797 Thanks: 438 Thanked 208 Times in 86 Posts	Re: How to customize wp theme offline or "not live"? thank you guys, i heard about the wamp thing and also XAMPP thing, but i never even thought about what houdy said about using a subdomain. that would be the best way for me since i am not very technical. ill give both a try. thank you so much for taking the time to explain it to me.
	25.gov &.edu + 150 other Dofollow List- Full Master Resell Rights $5 for 20 Online Money Making e-Books My blog on how to Make Money Online\|53 Ways to make money online\| Happy Quotes

11-06-2009, 02:05 PM	#5
Leron Ford Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 92 Thanks: 103 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts Social Networking	Re: How to customize wp theme offline or "not live"? I'm pretty sure there is a plugin that does something along the lines of what you're looking for. In a nutshell, you (as the admin) would be able to test drive the theme you are making changes to while visitors to your site would see the default theme. Go to wordpress.org/extend/plugins and type in themes and see if any of those plugins might be of value to you. Thanks, Leron

11-06-2009, 02:12 PM	#6
Terry Loving Active Warrior Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 39 Thanks: 11 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How to customize wp theme offline or "not live"? I install WP for clients and use a "test" domain to set it up so we can talk about the design features / colors and placement that they want. It allows one to view the changes quickly and then you can reproduce them on the domain installation. Terry
	Free ebook at LovingVisions.com Taking the Local out of Small Business - Creating online Businesses not just pretty websites - TerryLoving.com Small Business Web Solutions & Internet Marketing Follow me on Twitter

11-06-2009, 06:20 PM	#7
fajar78 Warrior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 19 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How to customize wp theme offline or "not live"? if me, i create localhost in my PC, its more fast

11-06-2009, 08:07 PM	#8
Manda Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Thailand Posts: 78 Thanks: 43 Thanked 19 Times in 14 Posts Contact Info	Re: How to customize wp theme offline or "not live"? I have a test domain on a .info address which I use as my playground. I recently brought a WSO called Instant Wordpress which gives the features of WP on your local PC so you can work offline (and no technical skills required to install it). Have only just started using it but so far it is working well - I find it a great environment for teaching yourself how the code works.

11-07-2009, 04:24 AM	#9
fatai olanrewaju Warrior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How to customize wp theme offline or "not live"? what do you mean by wp theme and how is it use in wordpress