Basic WP installation question

by 12 replies
14
When creating a new WP site on a domain that already has a non wp site how would you do it when you want to keep the current website up if possible?

If WP is installed in the root where it normally would go wouldn't that override the current site? Or would the index.htm file still show when someone goes to the domain and the old site would funtion until the index.htm is deleted when the wp site is finished.

Thanks, Ron
#website design #basic #installation #question
  • If you are going to keep the current site in the root, you need to install WordPress into a subfolder/directory such as /blog or /wordpress, whatever you want to name it.
    Your WordPress url would then become h##p://mysite.com/blog (or whatever your directory name is).

    If you later decide to make it show as the main site, it can easily be done with the blog address in admin, then copying the .htaccess and index to the root, then making a minor edit to the index.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Most web server will look for index.html first so it's fine to install your WP on the same folder.
    • [2] replies
    • No, that's a dumb advice. Don't do it!
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • I was going to to do that but when you test the wp site it causes problems. I might not leave the current site up just use an under construction plugin instead

      • [1] reply
  • If your looking to build your WP site in the subdirectory and have the current html site stay as is, you can certainly do that.
    When your finished with the WP site, you just to make a few changes and your WP site will appear to be in the root even though the files may reside in a directory.
    In the WordPress codex you'll find "Giving WordPress it's own Directory", which is what your doing.

    This trips a lot of people up and they end up with 404's.

    It's fairly simple, but must be done in the correct order....

    Finish your site.

    Login to WP admin and go to "Settings" --> General.

    Meanwhile.... be logged into your server with FTP so you can shift around some files.

    Back to WP Admin "Settings" --> General.
    In "WordPress Address", enter the location of WordPress (http://mysite.com/blog)
    In the "Site Address" enter the desired location (http://mysite.com)

    Save

    Back to FTP.....
    Go into the /blog directory (or your WP location) and download the index.php and .htaccess to your computer.
    Open the index.php you downloaded and change the url in the bottom to reflect the correct directory/url.
    Code:
    require('./blog/wp-blog-header.php');
    (use plain text editor only, never WORD, ever...ever)

    Save, close.

    Back to FTP....
    Upload the index.php and .htacess to the root.
    Rename your current index.html to "index.html.old" for now. (don't delete yet).

    Test your site and admin.... it should work fine.
    Now you can delete the old files.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • I think David has given the best answer.. thats how we also install wordpress websites.
    • [1] reply
    • Yes, David always gives good advice - and I am the one who will delete replies like yours, which don't add anything valuable to the thread!
      (just a warning for the future...)
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • create a subdirectory into your domain and install there the wp so that it would not affect your present site.
    Coz you can actually have many subdirectory with wp in your site if you want to and not affect your main site.

    I hope this helps.
    • [1] reply
    • Some very competent advice here. When I had this problem all I did was create a new folder in my website space (usually htdocs or public_html). Install your new website into that new folder, then go to your website control panel and point your domain name to that folder (assuming your domain name is with the same web host).

      I hope this helps!
      Mark.
  • If you install Wordpress in the root folder it will overwrite your old site. If you want to keep your old site you should install Wordpress in a seperate sub-folder.
    • [1] reply
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    Basic WP installation question

    When creating a new WP site on a domain that already has a non wp site how would you do it when you want to keep the current website up if possible? If WP is installed in the root where it normally would go wouldn't that override the current site? Or would the index.htm file still show when someone goes to the domain and the old site would funtion until the index.htm is deleted when the wp site is finished.