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Creating a wordpress site before it goes live

by colomedia1
10 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
Afternoon All,

I have a new client who's website we are redesigning. I need to figure out a way to design the site before it goes live so he can have his current site alive until the new site is completely done. WF is a pretty handy place, do you guys have any ideas? Maybe I can create the site in a different domain and transfer / copy when it is complete?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all!
#creating #live #site #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author rhinocl
    Two ways. One install Xampp on a computer then build the site in WordPress locally. Lots of tutorials on web.

    Two install wordPress on a subdomain, block access to that folder with robots .txt file or by simply denying search engines in your WordPress settings

    or using the hta access file if you understand these
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Z
    The way that I do it is with the subdomain method. I create a subdomain like new.thewebsite.com and install wordpress on the new subdomain and then transfer it over when it is finished.

    I find it's the best way because the clients can see the progress too and that usually keeps them happy.
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    Jason Zimmerman is an offline marketing and consulting professional. He has been developing web sites and digital marketing plans for local businesses since 2000.
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    • Profile picture of the author markob83
      Originally Posted by Jason Z View Post

      The way that I do it is with the subdomain method. I create a subdomain like new.thewebsite.com and install wordpress on the new subdomain and then transfer it over when it is finished.

      I find it's the best way because the clients can see the progress too and that usually keeps them happy.

      I tried doing this for my site a month ago and none of the content carried over when I transferred it. Any advice for when I do it again? Thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author Jason Z
        Originally Posted by markob83 View Post

        I tried doing this for my site a month ago and none of the content carried over when I transferred it. Any advice for when I do it again? Thanks
        What I typically do, is first move the wp-content folder either via ftp or cPanel from your test site to your live site.

        Then in your test site in the WordPress backend under 'Tools' select 'Export'

        Export all content.

        Then on your new site in the WordPress backend under 'Tools' click 'Import' and then select WordPress

        You'll still have to set up widget areas which can be a bit annoying.

        Or, there was a WSO I picked up called Backup Creator that backups one site and clones it so you can just restore it on your new WordPress installation.

        That works amazing. It's $37 but if you are going to be setting up websites for clients using WordPress on a regular basis it is well worth it.
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        Co-Founder of the Local Profit Model Training Program for Offline Consultants

        Jason Zimmerman is an offline marketing and consulting professional. He has been developing web sites and digital marketing plans for local businesses since 2000.
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Searching before starting a new thread doesn't hurt:
    http://www.warriorforum.com/website-...ve-online.html

    The advice given there might be helpful!
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    • Profile picture of the author colomedia1
      Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

      Searching before starting a new thread doesn't hurt:
      http://www.warriorforum.com/website-...ve-online.html

      The advice given there might be helpful!
      Thanks for this, but not exactly what I was looking for (I saw that actually) I need the website on the internet so the client can track the progress.
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      • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
        Originally Posted by colomedia1 View Post

        Thanks for this, but not exactly what I was looking for (I saw that actually) I need the website on the internet so the client can track the progress.
        You mean not spoon fed?

        Maybe I can create the site in a different domain and transfer / copy when it is complete?
        Moving it requires exactly the same steps as outlined in that other thread I linked to...
        Just need to replace the local (xampp) location with your "development" location. Everything else is the same: moving from one location to another.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian Alaway
    If you're working with many offline clients then it's worth investing in something like WP Twin. This makes moving WP from one domain to another, one server to another or one host to another fast and easy.
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  • Profile picture of the author trishacupra911
    I set it up on a subdomain on one of my own domains, then use BackupBuddy to export all the files and database over to the real site for launch.

    I use this method, because with other methods it's easy to overlook/miss things like all the little settings for plugins and widgets (in the database, which don't get exported with the built-in import/export tools) and the uploaded images and downloadable files, etc.

    The BackupBuddy plugin is developed by iThemes who have been in the WordPress theme and plugin industry for many years, and have a good reputation. The plugin is supported and updated regularly. It's not the cheapest, but it's the best value.

    Remember to block the robots on the test/development site (under Privacy) and turn it back on after the launch of the real site.

    There's also a great free plugin called Absolute Privacy (http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/absolute-privacy/) that lets you make your client log in to see the test site (with a subscriber level user role). That way the client can feel comfortable that the test site is 'private' and nobody can just stumble across it.
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