Are you talking about developing just the theme or the whole site? I’d suggest only using a local server for theme development and developing the actual site online. WordPress can be a bit of a pig when it comes to moving it from one place to another. See Moving_WordPress.
I develop and maintain structure, functionality and themes locally, but develop and maintain the content on the server. To put it another way, my local and server versions of a site contain the same files (except for uploads) but have different databases.
Thanks esmi and Rod for your replies. Correct me if I am wrong, but from what I understand from you both is that it is the best idea to develop the site structure (theme, etc.) locally, and then add the content directly online. Therefore, as Rod states, there is a need for two different databases – one for the local development server and one for the web server. I assume that it is easy enough to upload everything except the local database when updates to the theme or structure are carried out?
it is the best idea to develop the site structure (theme, etc.) locally, and then add the content directly online.
Yes.
I assume that it is easy enough to upload everything except the local database when updates to the theme or structure are carried out?
All you need to upload is your new theme.
Thank you esmi, for your valuable input. You have set my mind at rest.
