The simplest way is to install WordPress in a subdirectory – e.g. /wordpress. Once you’re ready for the site to go live, follow the instructions on this page under “Using a pre-existing subdirectory install”. (The essence of it is that you can have the site running from the root of the domain without having to move WordPress out of the subdirectory.)
As for keeping the WordPress site hidden from search engines, go to Settings > Reading and tick the box next to “Discourage search engines from indexing this site”. You can also, if you wish, install a maintenance mode plugin from the WordPress plugin repository to hide the site from any person or entity that is not logged in.
I agree with all of the above, except that I very much recommend maintenance mode/coming soon plugins, and not “discourage search engines…” I’ve found it’s not as simple as it sounds. (I had a client site show up in searches and just have a robots.txt message underneath)
Thanks Cyril, I will install in a separate directory as suggested. I just tried the method on my personal website (which had wordpress in a separate directory) and it is indeed quite simple.
And Peninah, I guess you’re right.. I’ll go with the maintenance mode plugins. Thanks!
Just in case other people have the same questions, here’s a similar thread that I found useful:
http://ww.wp.xz.cn/support/topic/installing-wordpress-in-root-with-existing-html-site?replies=12
