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Designing New WordPress Site Offline?

by andymisiu
9 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
My company already has a website running currently online with an existing domain name.

I want to design a new site under the same domain name while the existing site stays online.

So, looks like wamp server is the process I'm going to use to design the site offline on my computer. Then, I just go to hostgator and upload all the files to that domain name and presto?

Am I on the right track? anything I need to know?
#designing #offline #site #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author RobinInTexas
    Originally Posted by andymisiu View Post

    My company already has a website running currently online with an existing domain name.

    I want to design a new site under the same domain name while the existing site stays online.

    So, looks like wamp server is the process I'm going to use to design the site offline on my computer. Then, I just go to hostgator and upload all the files to that domain name and presto?

    Am I on the right track? anything I need to know?
    You will need to create the database at hostgator. and export/import the SQL file.

    It would be best to upload the files to a different directory structure from the live site (preferably adjacent to it call it public_htmlnew) and when you have everything in place, rename the webroot directory where the live site is to something different like public_htmlbak and then rename the public_htmlnew public_html

    If everything works you are good, if it doesn't you can restore the old and troubleshoot.
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    Robin



    ...Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just set there.
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  • Profile picture of the author dancaron
    Just setup a subdomain and edit the site in private. Then migrate the site using a wordpress mover plugin.
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  • Profile picture of the author petersk57
    I was in the same situation a little while ago and searched and searched for answers. I looked at the WAMP server as an option, but did not go that route. I ended up using my Host Gator temporary URL to complete the new website, while the current one stayed live. All went well for me, so it is an option. Plus, host gator support was awesome anytime I got stuck!

    There are a lot of things to take into consideration with redesigning your website, so you need to weigh all those to make the best decision. I know SEO is at the top of the list, be careful when transferring, as it could hurt your search rankings. Im not a "Pro," (yet) - so just advice for you from my recent experience!
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    • Profile picture of the author andymisiu
      Originally Posted by petersk57 View Post

      I ended up using my Host Gator temporary URL to complete the new website, while the current one stayed live. All went well for me, so it is an option. Plus, host gator support was awesome anytime I got stuck!
      Temporary URL? like creating a sub-domain? I contacted hostgator and they suggested that I create a sub-domain and than password protect it using a wordpress plugin. Then, they would convert it to the main domain when finished for a small fee.

      I'm thinking of going this route. Can you explain a little more about your temporary URL and how you went about it? duplicate content is a concern for me.
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      • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
        Originally Posted by andymisiu View Post

        Temporary URL? like creating a sub-domain? I contacted hostgator and they suggested that I create a sub-domain and than password protect it using a wordpress plugin. Then, they would convert it to the main domain when finished for a small fee.

        I'm thinking of going this route. Can you explain a little more about your temporary URL and how you went about it? duplicate content is a concern for me.
        Don't ever listen to people who don't take the time to read YOUR initial post and post idiotic answers. The case described by that individual refers to a completely different scenario with 2 [two] domains while you clearly stated you have only one [1] domain.

        The subdomain or local install is the right answer to your question.

        If you go with the subdomain route, when done you will just need to edit 2 lines in the database AND move the WP files from the subdomain to the root.

        If developing locally, you will then do an export of the local database and import it to the new database created online (as it was said above) AND upload the WP files and folders.

        Reminder to everybody: when you have WP powered site, there is no content in the files... only the "engine" and the themes and plugins.
        All your content (posts, Pages, comments, tags, categories etc.) are stored in the MySQL database.

        From the two last sentences above should be clear that moving a WP site means moving the files AND the database.
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  • Profile picture of the author andymisiu
    at, petersk57... you bring up a good point in SEO. I think the big thing to be sure of is how many links are coming into a certain URL. If their are a lot of people linking to that URL, then you don't want to change it. Other than that, I think it's making sure your pages are set up correctly for SEO.

    I'm going to check into hostgator to see what they suggest.
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  • Profile picture of the author andymisiu
    Ok, so I create a sub-domain and then I would password protect it with a plugin like this WordPress › Password Protected « WordPress Plugins so that only I could view it and not anyone on the internet.

    Then, when finished have hostgator switch it from subdomain to route domain. Sounds easy enough.

    I'm guessing there would be no duplicate content issues since it's password protected and part of my actual domain?
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  • Profile picture of the author kevintb7
    You can do it with a subdomain. But you can also do it without. You can design it on your local machine using wamp as you said.

    Are you moving it to a new server? You kind of sounded like you were switching hosting? If so you can setup a hosting without a domain and do the design on the server using the server ip to access. And then you just change the DNS to point to that server when ready, this would allow for no downtime. If you arent switching hosting companies, you could probably call your hosting company and they would give you a new temp space to do it this way too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stevewoody82
    Some great answers, my 2 cents

    Using wamp is fine if you need to work offline, I sometimes do this for ease of creating CSS files.

    I also work on a fresh install within a subdirectory on the server for sites that I can then point to the main domain.

    If its a clients site then build it in wamp, make sure you open port forwarding to allow client access. Then they can test before you transfer, if its for your own server then build in a subdirectory as long as you have Internet all the time
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    Your website is the window to your business . Don't fill it with cheap crap !

    What I don't know about Wordpress either isn't worth knowing or hasn't been invented ;)

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