A couple of questions for Wordpress/Prophoto experts

[GHP]

Hello all.
Sorry in advance for the long post!

I have recently bought my own domain name, both .com and .co.uk
I have also paid for hosting with easily.co.uk (the same people I got my e-mail addresses from).
This includes Linux hosting, 5Gb storage, 2 MySQL databases (Don't know why I need 2, but there you go!),includes one click wordpress install, amongst other stuff which I don't actually understand.
So now I want a website, basically to post some images up, have a blog etc etc.and with this in mind I have been searching on here, and have read a lot about Wordpress and Prophoto templates.
My main query is this: If I buy a wordpress template, I know it's customisable, and I have watched a couple of their video tutorials, but it doesn't say the workflow to build a site. (I am looking at one of the paid starter designs in addition to the starter package)
What I mean is can I design the site, galleries, blog etc on my PC first, and then upload it all in one go (via ftp or whatever) or do I have to do it "online"?
The reason for this is at the moment I don't have hundreds of great images to show, but I am trying to get more, and I want to start my website now, and keep adding to it as I go on.
I know from my searches that there are some extremely helpful and knowledgeable folks on here who will probably think me stupid for asking, but, I'm asking anyway.
Hope some-one can advise.
Thanks for your patience.
Cheers,
Gary.

 

[Deleted member 49549]

Hi Gary,

Regarding wordpress. It needs a sql database to run, so unless you intend to set up a sql database on your local machine, then the setup will need to be online. You'll only want to upload a couple of posts initially to play around with the look of it.

Try and read up on reviews on any template supplier, as you will be asking lots of questions when you first get up and running. I use a graphpaperpress template, and all except one of their team provide good responses, but sometimes have to wait a couple of days for an answer, which is a PITA.
If you don't want something as complicated as wordpress, maybe something like tumblr with a custom theme and domain?

ps my site is rapscallion.eu, but havent spent much time on it recently. ALso need to change all my post formats after i recently changed my theme.

 

[Phil V]

As Phil said, you'll probably find it easier to build the site 'live', but dont let that put you off. You can hold content within ProPhoto without publishing, likewise you can work on your templates without publishing. Its all very easy to log in and make changes and just like on forums, you feel like youre on your PC rather than working remotely. The only time youfeel the distance is during upload of images, but I think with PP4 thats much better now.

 

[depicted]

If you don't want your site to be visible while you set it up and play around then set the nameservers to ns1.makesomethingup.com and ns2.makesomethingup.com which means your domain will no longer point to your web hosting space.

But, edit your HOSTS file so your PC knows the correct location. When you are ready to launch just point your nameservers at your hosting.

This way the site appears to you as it should and you can edit it as much as you want without anyone else seeing it.

 

[Craikeybaby]

The other option is to use something like MAMP/WAMP to run a test server locally.

However before you do that my suggestion would be to sketch out what you want so that you have a plan before you start.

 

[GHP]

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to help, I appreciate it.

@Craikeybaby : I have read a little about using MAMP/WAMP, but it does sound a bit beyond me at this point.

@depicted : That sounds even more complicated, but thank you.

@Phil V : If I understand you correctly, so long as I publish a theme, and a couple of posts or something, I can then work on a different version, ie the final one, and only publish it when I am ready. This sounds like a plan for me!

@Rapscallion : Thanks for that, although I still don't understand why my provider gives me 2 SQL databases.

I think I have pretty much decided on the template I like, from Prophoto, just need to work out what my domain company call a "1 click Wordpress install" is, and how to start!

Thanks again for all the help, I'm sure I will be along soon with more requests to pick your brains.
Cheers,
Gary.