Change Wordpress theme
 

Hi guys, I want to change the theme of my Wordpress site.
The purpose is to keep the site working on the old theme, while on the side, I work (offline, and on my rythm) with the new theme.
I want to deliver the site with the new theme only when it is ready, and keep the site on the old theme while waiting.
Is it possible ? If so, how to do it ?
Thank you
PS : I?m a noob with Wordpress

2 options:
1. Install XAMPP for Apache and PHP. Download Wordpress and install it locally
(get it from wordpress . org ). Configure wordpress, add your theme, set your content and upload your files later to your hosting.
2. Install a new instance of wordpress on a subdomain. Make all the changes to the theme while running the maintenance plugin. Replace files, abandon the subdomain...

do it on a subdomain till its not perfect and once its good just move it to main domain

xamp
 

I use xamp a virtual unit where I work with the new theme and when it is perfect then I upload it

Get wordpress setup on a seperate hosting, depending where you are this is free.
easier/quicker than doing it locally
on the current site install plugin: all in one wordpress migration
run an export, and import it on the other wordpress site. (also install the plugin there ofc)


when doing the export make sure you use the change/replace function.
so lets say: current site: https://www.site1.com
temp hosting: https://www.blablabla.com

then in the replace you want to replace 5 things
https://www.site1.com -> https://www.blablabla.com
https://site1.com -> https://www.blablabla.com
http://www.site1.com -> https://www.blablabla.com
http://site1.com -> https://www.blablabla.com
site1.com -> blablabla.com

once you are done on blablabla, you run a export there, and do the replace function again (but ofc the otherway around)



goodluck

edit: set the site to noindex on the temp hosting, don't forget to remove it after you are done)