How do I re-design a site without affecting the live published version?

  • Resolved rshell1

    (@rshell1)


    5 months, 1 week ago

    Hi all,

    I am helping to re-design a live current site. The owners are wanting a completely different look, so this entails me essentially starting from scratch. They want to change their domain name, also. How do I undergo intense edits like these without messing up the current state of the live site? I don’t want to publish all of my edits until the new site is essentially complete.

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

Viewing 1 replies (of 1 total)
  • Plugin Support brandonco

    (@brandonco)

    Hi @rshell1,

    Thanks for reaching out. I do apologize you may have reached the wrong forum. weForms is a user-friendly form builder plugin for WordPress, designed to simplify the process of creating and managing forms on your website. Although it goes beyond the scope of our support I’ll try my best to explain how I would resolve your concern:

    How to Redesign a Live Site Without Disrupting the Current State

    When redesigning a live site, especially with significant changes like a new look and a new domain name, it’s essential to avoid disrupting the current site until the new design is ready. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve this seamlessly using BoldGrid tools and WordPress:

    1. Set Up a Staging Environment

    What is a Staging Site? A staging site is a clone of your live site where you can safely make changes, test new features, and design without affecting the live website.

    How to Set Up a Staging Site:

    • Most hosting providers offer one-click staging environments. Check with your host for this feature.

    2. Design and Develop on the Staging Site

    Steps to Follow:

    • Install Themes and Plugins: Install the new theme and necessary plugins on your staging site. You can experiment freely without worrying about the live site.
    • Build Your New Design: Use your chosen tools to build out the sites design and features.
    • Test Changes: Ensure that all functionalities are working correctly. Test different browsers and devices for compatibility.

    3. Backup the Current Live Site

    Why Backup? Before making any changes to your live site, it’s crucial to have a backup. This ensures you can restore the site in case something goes wrong during the transfer.

    How to Backup:

    • Use BoldGrid Total Upkeep to create a full backup of your site. This tool helps you manage and schedule backups easily. Learn more about backups here: Backup Your Website.

    4. Prepare for Domain Change

    Steps for Changing the Domain:

    • Register the New Domain: Ensure the new domain is registered and ready for use.
    • Update Settings in WordPress: Once you are ready to go live, you will need to update the domain in your WordPress settings and ensure all URLs point to the new domain.
    • Redirect the Old Domain: Set up 301 redirects from the old domain to the new domain to preserve SEO and redirect visitors.

    5. Deploy the New Design to the Live Site

    How to Deploy:

    • Use a Migration Tool: Use BoldGrid Total Upkeep to migrate your staging site to the live environment. This ensures all your changes are carried over without disrupting the live site.
    • Verify and Test: After the migration, verify that everything works correctly on the live site. Test all links, forms, and functionalities.

    6. Go Live with the New Design

    Final Steps:

    • Update DNS Settings: Point your new domain to your hosting provider’s servers.
    • Notify Users: Inform your users about the change in domain and the new design. This can be done through email or announcements on your site.

    This approach will keep your current live site intact while allowing you to redesign and develop the new site efficiently and securely. I hope this helps!

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