Let’s be real — most of us have done it. You’re starting a new WordPress site or app and say to yourself, “I will do all of the building or developiing on my computer at first. It will be faster!” And usually it is! There is no sluggish internet, you don’t have to wait for the host to respond, and no crashing. But, once you start uploading to the web — that is when the minor problems start appearing.
Is this plan a time-saver or a pain-in-the-neck? Let’s explore both ways.
When you are building on your own machine, everything works at the speed of light. You can modify designs, change code, or install plugins without a second of delay. The best part is that no one has to see your mistakes while you are working under the hood.
2. You Do Not Need Internet
No wi-fi? No problem! You can still build, test, and save your work locally. This is fantastic in cases where your internet is slow or darn near useless.
3. You Will Not Break a Live Site
When working locally you never have to worry about your live site being broken. You can test updates or new features without worrying for one second about breaking something that is currently online.
4. Great for Testing Custom Apps
When you’re developing your own app, you can play around without worrying about server limitations or hosting issues with a local setup.
Ever have something that works great on your computer but then shuts down after upload? It’s because your local setup may not be exactly the same as your hosting server. Variables such as version of PHP, file pathing, or configuration settings all can differ.
2. Moving Your Project Gets Complicated
Once you’ve built your local project out, now it is time to move it online. Moving a local project online would mean things such as copying your files, updating your database link, then fixing all broken URLs. If you forget one step to that process, you could easily break your site completely.
3. Collaboration in a Local-Only Setup is Limited
If you are collaborating with other people in a local setup, you would still have to share files with them, and then manage version control, etc.
So go ahead and build locally, test thoroughly and upload carefully. And if it breaks later don't be worried. We have all done it!
Is this plan a time-saver or a pain-in-the-neck? Let’s explore both ways.
The Good Side: Why Building Locally Feels Amazing.
1. Super Fast and EasyWhen you are building on your own machine, everything works at the speed of light. You can modify designs, change code, or install plugins without a second of delay. The best part is that no one has to see your mistakes while you are working under the hood.
2. You Do Not Need Internet
No wi-fi? No problem! You can still build, test, and save your work locally. This is fantastic in cases where your internet is slow or darn near useless.
3. You Will Not Break a Live Site
When working locally you never have to worry about your live site being broken. You can test updates or new features without worrying for one second about breaking something that is currently online.
4. Great for Testing Custom Apps
When you’re developing your own app, you can play around without worrying about server limitations or hosting issues with a local setup.
The Downside: Why it Can Create a Problem
1. It Might Not Work After You Upload itEver have something that works great on your computer but then shuts down after upload? It’s because your local setup may not be exactly the same as your hosting server. Variables such as version of PHP, file pathing, or configuration settings all can differ.
2. Moving Your Project Gets Complicated
Once you’ve built your local project out, now it is time to move it online. Moving a local project online would mean things such as copying your files, updating your database link, then fixing all broken URLs. If you forget one step to that process, you could easily break your site completely.
3. Collaboration in a Local-Only Setup is Limited
If you are collaborating with other people in a local setup, you would still have to share files with them, and then manage version control, etc.
Final Thoughts
Building locally to start is like cooking in your own kitchen before serving guests. Safe and quick. Nevertheless, just keep in mind things may look or act differently online.So go ahead and build locally, test thoroughly and upload carefully. And if it breaks later don't be worried. We have all done it!
