Title: Q's before installing WordPress
Last modified: August 19, 2016

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# Q's before installing WordPress

 *  [sailingandsuch](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sailingandsuch/)
 * (@sailingandsuch)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/qs-before-installing-wordpress/)
 * I currently have not used WordPress.
 * I do not currently have a webhost or a domain.
 * I would like to try doing a little web design in WordPress before I purchase 
   my domain and hosting service. I have downloaded WP 3.0.4 and I don’t think it
   will let me develope a off-net website just to “try it out” and see what it will
   look like.
 * Basically, I used to have a fairly popular website (200 unique views daily) about
   two years ago then my webhost was hacked/crashed and I lost everything. Now I
   am wanting to redesign my website and I am considering WP for the design software
   but I would like to give it a trial run before I purchase my domain back or anything
   like that.
 * Is there any way I can do this. I want to design more of a website, not a blog.
   I do however have a *********.wordpress.com blog. Can I use that for my trial
   to make more of a website rather than a blog?
 * Thank you all for your time.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

 *  Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/)
 * (@macmanx)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/qs-before-installing-wordpress/#post-1842023)
 * You won’t get the level of customization that you’re looking for on WordPress.
   com.
 * Instead, I recommend setting up a local server environment so you can run WordPress
   on your computer.
 * See this for more info: [http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress#Installing_WordPress_on_your_own_Computer](http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress#Installing_WordPress_on_your_own_Computer)
 *  Thread Starter [sailingandsuch](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sailingandsuch/)
 * (@sailingandsuch)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/qs-before-installing-wordpress/#post-1842202)
 * James,
    Thank you for the reply. I checked out the link you provided and I downloaded“
   turnkey-wordpress-11.0-lucid-x86”, Turnkey WordPress Appliance. I have it downloaded
   but can’t get it to do anything.
 * I have messed with it on WinZip trying to extract the files. Once I do and I 
   open with internet explorer it just keeps asking me if I want to download or 
   save the file over and over again.
 * ……aggrivating, but what do I do?
 *  Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/)
 * (@macmanx)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/qs-before-installing-wordpress/#post-1842231)
 * I think it would be best to ask for support with that from Turnkey.
 *  [learnvisually](https://wordpress.org/support/users/learnwordpressvisually/)
 * (@learnwordpressvisually)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/qs-before-installing-wordpress/#post-1842249)
 * Why not just get a host and domain name now and then play with WordPress/design
   in a folder that is not the root so nobody else can see?
 *  [Gabe Young](https://wordpress.org/support/users/gabeyoung/)
 * (@gabeyoung)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/qs-before-installing-wordpress/#post-1842256)
 * I wouldn’t even bother with “hiding” it. Just get that domain and host and go
   at it!
 * Besides, you seem to have a high level of confidence that WP will suffice. Even
   if it doesn’t suit your needs, you’ll still need the domain and host regardless
   of what platform you end up with.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

The topic ‘Q's before installing WordPress’ is closed to new replies.

 * In: [Everything else WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/miscellaneous/)
 * 5 replies
 * 4 participants
 * Last reply from: [Gabe Young](https://wordpress.org/support/users/gabeyoung/)
 * Last activity: [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/qs-before-installing-wordpress/#post-1842256)
 * Status: not resolved

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