Best way to create a WP site offline while the current site is already up?

[patent10021]

I have a WP already up at one host but I am redesigning it using a completely different theme and new host. I know how to deal with the hosting but how do you design it offline from your desktop assets and test it? Then how do you upload it all? I have Sublime/Code etc but I don't think I need all that since I'm not coding. Does this offline capability depend on the brand of FTP app? What's everyone using?

 

[Flood123]

I have a WP already up at one host but I am redesigning it using a completely different theme and new host. I know how to deal with the hosting but how do you design it offline from your desktop assets and test it? Then how do you upload it all? I have Sublime/Code etc but I don't think I need all that since I'm not coding. Does this offline capability depend on the brand of FTP app? What's everyone using?

you COULD set up a staging server on your hosting account. That would be one way of going about it.

OR

for local development you will not need an FTP. You will just need that when you plan to push live.

You will need to set up a local server. The one i use is called Mamp.
Don't install Mamp pro. When you get to the "installation type" portion of the installer click customize. Next deselect Mamp pro. and continue
https://www.mamp.info/en/

You will need to download wordpress from:
https://wordpress.org

This is is a YouTube video on how to install wordpress for local development in Mamp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP4E3KT12Zg

After you are done developing the site you will need to create a backup of the database. Then you will need to make sure that you change the URL's i the database to point at the proper domain. Depending on your hosting company they might be willing to help you with this portion if you are unsure.

Usually this is my jumping off point when developing a customer wordpress theme. It is a completely blank them ready for you to design and mark up as needed.
http://html5blank.com

Good luck to you with your project.

 

[960design]

Flood123 has it spot on.

1) I setup a local MAMP server for initial development ( alpha ).
2) Staging server on client's current host ( beta ) to work out any weird url / authority / server issues that may pop up.
3) Live

 

[patent10021]

Thanks for the info

I downloaded the free version but they do have a Pro version. Isn't it better?

I might as well buy it if I'm going to be using it all of the time.

https://www.mamp.info/en/

 

[960design]

Thanks for the info

I downloaded the free version but they do have a Pro version. Isn't it better?

I might as well buy it if I'm going to be using it all of the time.

https://www.mamp.info/en/

Better? More, definitely, but better for local development, not so much. By all means purchase the Pro, I'm hoping MAMP stays around for a very long time. At this stage it may be better to develop with the standard MAMP. Then you will at least know what features you are missing that the PRO version includes.

All IMHO of course.

 

[Flood123]

Thanks for the info

I downloaded the free version but they do have a Pro version. Isn't it better?

I might as well buy it if I'm going to be using it all of the time.

https://www.mamp.info/en/

I have been using the free version exclusively for years when developing wordpress themes. I personally have no use for the pro version. Both pro and standard versions are in the same installer. You get to a certain point in the install process and there is a button that says customize install or something close. There you can uncheck pro. At that point it will just install the standard free version.

 

[ocabj]

If you do any sort of development, you should really use vagrant.

https://www.vagrantup.com/

It's truly a jailed environment since you will use it in combination with VirtualBox.

 

[andrew40]

Vagrant

I use WP Engine as my host and they have an application that uses Vagrant to replicate their hosting environment on your laptop. It uses VirtualBox but the clever thing is the files are shared with your laptop/PC in a local environment. You can also access the Virtual URLs locally!


You can read all about it here http://wpengine.com/mercury/

You can read about Vagrant here https://www.vagrantup.com

and you can download VirtualBox here https://www.virtualbox.org

The beauty of this method is that its kept away from your system running in a Virtual environment but you have access to the files without having to use SSH or similar.

I switched to it from MAMP 6 months ago and my system is quicker and runs like a charm. It also has GIT built in.

 

[doug in albq]

This seems to be the simplest way...

https://serverpress.com/

I have used it, this software makes it very easy.

 

[Helpfixit]

I have a WP already up at one host but I am redesigning it using a completely different theme and new host. I know how to deal with the hosting but how do you design it offline from your desktop assets and test it? Then how do you upload it all? I have Sublime/Code etc but I don't think I need all that since I'm not coding. Does this offline capability depend on the brand of FTP app? What's everyone using?

I use a cheap Synology DS214se NAS box setup as a local host / test web server. The synology disc station manager ( DSM) software makes setting up a web server very simple, you can also easily and quickly install Wordpress with an app within DSM. The synology can also be configured as iTunes or file server,plus it's very good for storage and backups. As it runs from the nas box you then free up resources on your desktop or laptop machine.

You can upload files using FileZilla ( free ) or CyberDuck. My preference is CyberDuck over FileZilla.

 

[Steveorevo]

Full disclosure: I'm the author; so kinda biased. ServerPress.com's DesktopServer is actually the reason I switched to Macintosh.

So many users are on Mac that I decided to port to it (ended up re-writing it) and create a fast, native, WordPress development environment for Macintosh. I ended up leaving +20 years of Windows development (though I still support the Windows version).

I wouldn't knock VMs entirely like VVV, you can create an environment and tweak anything in a VM. Especially if you like system admin'ing to no end. But if there is one thing I learned when making the switch: virtualization is still emulation-y. I tried to stick with my Windoz apps (Quicken in particular) when I switched to Mac 5 years ago (tried Parallels, VMWare, VirtualBox) and ended up throwing down for native Office, Adobe CC, etc. Native code executes so much faster!

You can create and copy a basic WordPress site in about 3 seconds on a new Macbook Air, and use your native applications to access the file system, create WordPress "Blueprints" (our unique feature) to accelerate all your development, etc.

In the Premium addition, I created sharing so you can instantly test your WordPress sites on mobile devices in your own LAN (WordPress' FQURLs are remapped in realtime). The old feature list is here (I'll update it soon):

https://serverpress.com/get-desktopserver/

If you have any Q's, hit me up anytime

 

[Pyrotechnic]

Ive been looking for something that would allow me to work on my Wordpress site locally for a good while now, so just downloaded today. Pleased to say the set up was pretty easy considering I am no expert and I now have a site running locally.

Better save the pennies for the Premium version.

 

[Pyrotechnic]

https://serverpress.com/get-desktopserver/

If you have any Q's, hit me up anytime

I seem to be one of these unfortunate people who always buys software right at the end of its life and usually fine that the week after a new release has been issued. I notice your new version has only just been released. However, my fear is as soon as I buy it, your V4.0 will be released. Is there a timescale on the 4 ?