How to develop different WordPress sites for remote client testing?

  • phawkins

    (@phawkins)


    14 years ago

    I’m a web developer new to WordPress, but have several years developing in traditional HTML and ASP.NET in a multi-tiered development to model to production server environment. Recently, I have contracted several clients who want their new sites built in WordPress. Previously, I would develop the content pages either in Dreamweaver or Visual Studio 2008, test on my local server and then upload via FTP to my on-line development server hosted at GoDaddy for remote client testing. Once the client approved the entire site on my development server, I would copy the final files to their production server on their domain, test again and if all is well the site would be live and fully functional.
    Is this development model possible with WordPress? Can I create 2 or more different web sites for different clients on my local installation of WordPress, then create client folders on my on-line GoDaddy development server for client testing, then copy the files to their production server once approved?
    If not, is it possible to develop each client’s WordPress site on their hosted domain and make it hidden to the public so only the client can see the content while it is still in development testing stage, then, once everything is approved, somehow make the content live for all to see?

    Thanks.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • michael.mariart

    (@michaelmariart)

    14 years ago

    It is possible, and it’s how most people do it.

    Just be aware that there’s more steps to moving a wordpress site then a static HTML site. Most of thi shas ot do with the database and file permissions that are requird, but if you know your way around those you should have no problems.

    Thread Starter phawkins

    (@phawkins)

    14 years ago

    Thanks for the reply Michael. Could you please clarify which of the development scenarios I presented are possible?

    michael.mariart

    (@michaelmariart)

    14 years ago

    The first one (moving files from development server to production server) is the main one that I was talking about. There’s no real easy way of having a “hidden” site alongside the existing site. You can have it in it’s own folder or sub domain, but you would still need to move files around when you move to production anyway.

    Thread Starter phawkins

    (@phawkins)

    14 years ago

    If I understand you correctly, I can have the following… Let’s assume the domain to my on-line remote development server hosted with GoDaddy is named: http://www.mydevserver.com. There, I install a single copy of WordPress at the root level. Then I create a folder named “Client1” and another named “Client2” so that I have http://www.mydevserver.com/Client1 and http://www.mydevserver/Client2 respectively. Client1 wants theme “A” but Client 2 wants theme “B.” So, I copy theme “A” and theme “B” to the “wp-content/themes” folder at the root of mydevserver.com and use the WordPress Admin interface to apply the appropriate theme to each client?
    When I am ready for both clients to proof their sites on mydevserver.com, I send Client 1 to http://www.mydevserver.com/Client1/index.php and send Client 2 to http://www.mydevserver.com/Client2/index.php?
    Or do I need to have a copy of wordpress installed for each client in their respective folders?

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

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