> I was wondering if it is possible to keep our current site live while working on a new site with Wordpress (we'd be using the same domain) until we are ready to make the new site live.
Yes, it is.
> And if that IS possible, how would we be able to preview the site we are working on without losing our current site and then how would we make the new one live with a smooth transition?
If your current host supports sub domains, you could setup a new sub domain like dev.yourdomain.com. Then you could install WordPress at that sub domain and get it all setup i.e. add themes, content, plugins, etc. Alternatively, if you currently have a static site, you could install WordPress in a sub directory like yourdomain.com/wordpress. The benefit of doing it this way is that anything you do is pretty much already live. There is no transition in terms of migrating the files and database from anywhere, as it already lives where it's going to ultimately be and you know it works.
You could setup a simply directory protection, also a feature that hosts usually offer via their user interface, so that only people with a password can visit the site while in development. You could also make the sub domain/sub directory something more obscure so that it wouldn't be easily guessed, then you don't even need a password.
There is more info on how the actual transition would then work from pointing yourdomain.com to the WordPress installation so that it looks as if it was installed at the root, but you may need a little help with that from someone who has done it before. Here are the steps for that: https://codex.wordpress.org/Giving_WordPress_Its_Own_Directory#Using_a_pre-existing_subdirectory_install
> Could we use our own server to host the Wordpress site temporarily?
Sure, you could do that as well. Just keep two things in mind with that:
1. You will eventually have to migrate the files and database, which isn't hard for someone who has done it, but can be a little intimidating without help.
2. Sometimes the server specifications different between where WordPress was first install to where it will ultimately go, so things may break. Most of the time it's just fine, because WordPress most everything it needs with the installation, but it is a possibility.
~Sovereign
Hi, I am new to this forum and fairly new to web design (I have basic Dreamweaver skills). My business currently has a website that was designed and is controlled by a local web design company. We would like full editing capabilities, so we are looking into redoing the site with Wordpress. I was wondering if it is possible to keep our current site live while working on a new site with Wordpress (we'd be using the same domain) until we are ready to make the new site live. And if that IS possible, how would we be able to preview the site we are working on without losing our current site and then how would we make the new one live with a smooth transition? Could we use our own server to host the Wordpress site temporarily? I'm not sure I am explaining this correctly with my limited knowledge, but I would appreciate any tips!

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