Changing website to WordPress

Hey guys!

I know there's a couple of WordPress threads on here, but I couldn't find what I needed so I'm going to ask you guys here.

Here's my current situation:
I have my domain name registered with GoDaddy.
I have web hosting with DreamHost.
I purchased a theme from ThemeForest.

So, I want to be able to set up my new website under a dummy domain until it's ready for me to change over to www.hiepbuiphotography​.com to replace the old website. In the meantime, I'd like my old website to continue running. I created it with Weebly.

I'm a little confused with what I need to do. It's much more complicated than I expected it to be. Can anyone help me with what I need to do to get up and running (ie wordpress mapping, DNS server stuff, 1-click install, etc.)? Thanks!

HiepBuiPhotography wrote in post #16186333
So, I want to be able to set up my new website under a dummy domain until it's ready for me to change over to www.hiepbuiphotography​.com

You should be able to create a subdomain like test.hiepbuiphotograph​y.com. Install wordpress to that subdomain and install the theme. Then you should be able to access it at http://test.hiepbuipho​tography.com

Yes. What I usually do is create a directory (e.g. 2013) and place all of my new site files there. Once you start getting things built you can go to: www.yourdomain/2013 and the site should load for testing.

Once that is complete and you are ready to go, you can create a re-direct to the 2013 directory. Doing so, leaves all of your existing site material intact... in case you want to temporarily revert for any reason.

Start with Dreamhost and set up Wordpress in a directory as others have stated. Dreamhost will likely have an install protocol that allows for this.

Do you know how to ftp files or use the file browser in Dreamhost's control panel to install the theme you purchased?

Redirection on Godaddy from your current directory to a new directory will also be a minor adjustment once you are ready.

Thanks guys! I'll keep you guys updated.

Brenda, I think I can figure it out.

PM me it you need help.

NewCreation wrote in post #16187678
PM me it you need help.

Will do! =D

Just to be on the safe side you can password protect the directory so that people/web crawlers can't access your test site until you are ready to go public.

Dan Marchant wrote in post #16198256
Just to be on the safe side you can password protect the directory so that people/web crawlers can't access your test site until you are ready to go public.

How do I do that? Can you show me?

Who is your hosting company?

Do you have access to a cPanel for administration?

EDIT: Never mind on the first question, I see that you stated that your hosting is from DreamHost in the OP.

HiepBuiPhotography wrote in post #16199718
How do I do that? Can you show me?

http://wiki.dreamhost.​com …rd-protecting_directories

Dreamhost's technical customer service should be able to walk you through all of this, including the setup and install. That is good point about password protecting the site so its not indexed until its finished.

I've been with Dreamhost for over a decade now. Recently, they started having problems with their server configuration and the latest version of ImageMagick. For the time being, you will want to install the Default to gd plugin (https://github.com/get​source/default-to-gd). It will save you headaches of uploading multiple images to a WordPress post/page and then it timing out after crunching a few photos.

jacuff wrote in post #16200862
I've been with Dreamhost for over a decade now. Recently, they started having problems with their server configuration and the latest version of ImageMagick. For the time being, you will want to install the Default to gd plugin (https://github.com/get​source/default-to-gd). It will save you headaches of uploading multiple images to a WordPress post/page and then it timing out after crunching a few photos.

Yea, it even froze up a bunch of times when I tried to add photos to my gallery. I will install this. Thanks!