How can I hide my site from view whilst under construction?

I do this all the time. I build my site on my own private server (any folder or sub-domain will do) then clone it into it's final resting place (usually after I've been paid my final payment) using Magic Cloner (no longer available) which moves a site then adjusts all the internal links to work on the new location. It really is Magic and a real shame it's not sold anymore. Other "cloning" methods require dozens of steps and really not much quicker than doing what I suggest next.

Failing that, you can easily move your wordpress site manually by moving all the files and database *using export - import) then and going into your database and adjusting the home and site URLS (in the options table - usually on the first and second pages). There will be other links inside your site that will need changing to the new site URL (such as links to pics in posts) that can be repaired using the "Search & Replace" plugin to look for the old site URL and replace it with the new URL. It should all work perfectly after this. I've just done this over 40 times so I know it works. Thanks to Suzanne (cigar chomping leather head) for this lesson.

If you get stuck or just want me to move it for you in 4 clicks and 10 minutes build the site then PM me and I'll do it for you.

Or, you could switch off the "Discourage search engines from indexing this site" from Settings --> Reading but that's an honorary system that search engines can ignore. There's really no way to hide your website without locking the directory. I've never done that so not sure what effect it would have on public access (it may continuously ask for login details).

HTH

You might want to check out WordPress › WP Maintenance Mode « WordPress Plugins, although I have never used it, or required to put my site directly into maintenance mode, it may be worth a shot!

Although like Mr Bill said, developing your website offline or on another server and then moving everything to the one you intend to use when you have done, is a good easy method.

The best way to do this is to create a "Under Construction" or "Coming Soon" page. Either on the same domain or different.

Then create a .htaccess file in your main domains site and place the following code
Change the 123.45.67.89 to YOUR IP address so it allows you to still access the site, everyone else will be redirected to the page specified in the next line.

The 302 is a "Temporary" Redirect, this way it won't hurt existing sites SEO and come up as broken or missing links.

I use this all the time, it works great.. Don't know your IP? visit IP Chicken - Whats my IP address? ip address lookup to get it.

Elegant Themes also has a maintenance mode plugin. It isn't free, but it is pretty slick and it also allows you to collect emails while in maintenance mode.

I am using this plugin, it basically has only one setting either on or off. Which hides your wordpress from not logged in users:

WordPress › underConstruction « WordPress Plugins

There are lot of maintenance plugins on WordPress.ORG ... you may choose one as per your requirements.