Many times a client has an existing website and would like to cut ties with their “webmaster” in order to take control of their website content. We generally will create or modify a template and install it to one of our test domains so the client can work on the site as if it were live. After the content has been added we need do a few things so the public can see the clients new site. The following is how we do it.

1. Create a sub-domain and install WordPress. We recycle several test domains.
2. Apply theme, customizations, activate plug-ins, etc.
3. Document files that we changed and/or added to meet the client’s requirements.
4. Train the client on WordPress and allow them to start adding content. We hold face-to-face training sessions on how to use their site and provide custom documentation as well as email support.

After the content has been added and the client is ready to swap out their old website with the new one, we perform the following steps:

1. Create a new domain and install WordPress.
2. Copy the theme, plug-ins, and any other files that we changed from wp-content to the new domain installation directory.
3. Copy any other files that were changed (these are usually very few).
4. Log in to the new WordPress installation and activate the theme.
   • At this point, the website should have the basic look and feel.
5. Back up the WordPress database that was used in the sub-domain.
   • You will end up with a .sql file containing scripts to recreate this database.
6. Using phpMyAdmin, connect to the new WordPress database, open a query window, and run the scripts from your backup file. This will import all of the content the client has entered as well as any user accounts.
7. Browse the wp-options table in the database and update the value for “site url”.
8. Log in to the new WordPress  site using the username/password that was used in the sub-domain.
9. In Settings, go to General and update the blog url address.
10. If you have any hard-coded links in the content, those will have to be manually updated. But, other perma-links should be updated automatically.
11. Update DNS. Of course this may take a few hours to a couple of days to change.

This might not be the most-efficient  way to accomplish moving a WordPress site but, it works for us. If you have a better way or have any questions feel free to tell us.

ACS recently completed the design and deployment of the Association of Bloomington Normal Brewers new website. Several solutions were delivered with the new site. Ease of use, built on Wordpress, the site offers client managed content with no additional software to purchase. Organizational communication, along with ease of use the new site includes an RSS feed so members may keep up with current news from the organization. Continuity, as with all database driven websites, all content is indexed and archived for future reference. Also included in this project was the use of an online calendar to keep the membership and public up to date.

Association of Bloomington Normal Brewers

A United Auto Workers Union Local Hall expressed interest in implementing a new website for their organization. The union then got involved in contract negotiations and they simultaneously started having problems with their existing website/email communication system. Some union members had to use the local newspaper to learn the status of the negotiation. So, replacing their website/email communication system became urgent.

Aspbury Consulting & Solutions worked with the union to develop a new website and integrate their email distribution list system into the new website. We designed new headers for a clean and professional appearance.  Using WordPress, we quickly implemented a content management solution allowing union leaders to easily issue news releases to its members. We provided on-site training to the users. The solution included more cost-effective hosting and domain name transfer.

After the negotiations were completed and contracts were approved, we worked with the union on broadening the scope of their new website to include other divisions and embedded a google calendar into their site for communicating meetings and other events.

http://uaw2488.org