How to install wordpress using cpanel with domain name that pre exists

  • Hi,

    So i’m creating a wordpress version of a site that already exists and want to use the same domain name that is currently the address of that site. I’ve done the installation for wordpress on the cpanel (the same one that the current site is using) up until the point where you’re supposed to run the install script in step 5. Now, i’m having a problem where I don’t know where to go from here. I want to start creating the wordpress site but I also want to keep the current site up and running until I absolutely have to switch it over so that there is always an active site going. Is this possible? And if so, what is my next move?

    Thanks so much!!

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  • I have done that several times, and my preference is to install WordPress in a subdirectory, test it from them, then use the “trick” of making WordPress look like it is in the “root directory” when it really isn’t, as described here: https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Giving_WordPress_Its_Own_Directory#Using_a_pre-existing_subdirectory_install (“Using a Pre-existing Subdirectory Install”).

    The only step not mentioned is “going live” which will require you to rename your current home page, so that the index.php file of WordPress “becomes visible” in the sense that it is run whenever someone goes to your domain name. Most other web sites use index.html as their home page, and that usually takes precedence over an index.php in the same directory.

    Thread Starter kristinaceline

    (@kristinaceline)

    Thanks for the fast response!

    I haven’t completed the wordpress install (i’m up until step 5, the “run install script” step) and it looks like I need to have that done before I can use the pre-existing subdirectory install that you suggested. I don’t think I can complete the install since that step requires the current site to disappear (right?). So how should I proceed?

    Thanks again, I really appreciate the help!

    It all depends on where you install WordPress. If you install it in a subdirectory, it can co-exist with your current website.

    You would get to your current site from example.com and your new WordPress site at example.com/wp or whatever subdirectory you choose to use.

    Which takes you back to Step 4.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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