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Build a WordPress Site Before Your Domain Points to Hostvento

This guide explains how to work on a WordPress site using a temporary address from your hosting account, before your real domain name is ready.

WordPress2 min read20 steps

What is a temporary server address?

A domain name is your website's name, like yourdomain.com. It works through DNS, which is like a phone book for the internet. DNS turns a website name into the number of the server that holds your site. When you move a domain, DNS can take hours to update.

While you wait, you can still build your site. Many hosting accounts give you a temporary address to reach your files. It may be a server name, an IP number, or a special preview link. Check your welcome email for it, or ask Hostvento support what is available on your plan.

Warning: A site built on a temporary address stores that address inside its settings. You must change it when the real domain goes live. Take a backup before you do.

Step 1: Find your temporary address

  1. Open your welcome email from Hostvento.
  2. Look for a temporary URL, a server name or an IP address.
  3. If you cannot find one, log in to the client area at https://secure.hostvento.com/clientarea.php.
  4. Click Services, then open your hosting service to see its details.
  5. Still not sure? Open a ticket at https://secure.hostvento.com/submitticket.php.

Step 2: Install WordPress

  1. Log in to your hosting control panel.
  2. Open the app installer, for example Softaculous, if your plan has it.
  3. Choose WordPress and click Install.
  4. When asked for the address, use the temporary one the panel offers.
  5. Set an admin user name and a strong password. Write them down.
  6. Click Install.

Step 3: Build your site

  1. Open the temporary address in your browser.
  2. Add /wp-admin at the end to open the login page.
  3. Log in and pick a theme, add pages and install plugins.

A theme is the design of your site. A plugin is a small add-on program.

Step 4: Switch to the real domain

  1. Make sure the domain points to Hostvento and is added to your account.
  2. In WordPress, click Settings, then General.
  3. Change WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) to your real domain.
  4. Click Save Changes. You will be logged out.
  5. Log in again at yourdomain.com/wp-admin.
  6. Install a search-and-replace plugin to fix old links inside your pages. Look for one with "search replace" in the name.
Tip: If you change the address and get locked out, ask support to help you reset the site address.

Quick recap

  • You can build a site before DNS is ready if you have a temporary address.
  • Find the address in your welcome email or ask support.
  • Install WordPress, then build the site.
  • Change the site address to your real domain when it is live.
  • Fix old links and take a backup first.