Do I need to have a separate WP install for each site?
Yes – unless you wish to See create a network.
What do I need to copy from an existing WP site to set up a test site on my server?Database?
See Moving_WordPress.
OK, I’ve read the instructions.
Just want to be sure I’ve got the concept down, since I want my client’s existing site to continue working while I redesign the site on a separate server:
1. I go to the existing WP site and download all the WP files and the database to a folder on my computer named Old.
2. Go back to the existing WP site, change the url to point everything to the new development server; then download the WP files and database to a folder on my computer named New.
3. Then upload the original WP files and database (from the Old folder) to the existing site to restore the site to its pre-existing condition.
4. Then create a database on my development server; upload the WP files and database from my New folder to my development server. And begin redesign.
Sound right?
The Old and New sites will not be linked, they’ll operate independently? The Old site should continue working as it did, until I replace it with the new one (assume I’ll have to reverse the url)?
That was right. Old and New sites operate independently and are not linked and the old site continues to work as it did.
