I would like to know how other people handle this problem please.
The common scenario for me:
I have a client with a currunt site hosted on one server, and I am developing a new site for them on another server. I am developing with WordPress. I want the client to see the new site, and be able to edit content, before it goes live. Problem is, Any sort of temporary solution used such as using the new hosts IP address and username as a way to view the site, and changing PHPMyAdmin records for wp-options for siteurl and home to that url - work mostly, but do not address how images added via the WP Admin are added using an absolute url, and as such, they do not show up. And in addition, any new images added would be added at the temporary url location so would not work when going live.
Anyone develop sites as new sites for clients with existing sites, on a new server, and have this issue. (I often host my client's new sites so this comes into play often.)