Why a local WordPress installation is worth it

Tags: wordpress, webdev, localdev
Published: 2022-01-26 08:14:34

Do you know this: You are testing a function or have made a change to your WordPress website, but then all the work is in vain because the site crashed?

A remedy for this can be an installation and test environment for WordPress on the local computer. This allows you to develop and test your WordPress website offline without risk, as the online environment is simulated on your own computer.

##Modify your website in a secure programming environment

You will also need to make adjustments to your WordPress website from time to time (e.g. a new theme or installing plug-ins). You should test these changes first before using them live on your website. Fortunately, there is a simple solution for this.

There are two types of server environments: Local and Remote. A local server is hosted directly on your own computer, while a remote server is hosted at another location. Which server model is best for testing is up to you.

However, for development and testing, it is recommended to install a local version of your website on your own computer instead of doing development and testing on a remote server.

If your site is brand new and not publicly available, testing directly on the site is less risky. However, if you already have a running website, it is not recommended to test directly on the site (to avoid downtime and possible security vulnerabilities).

It's better to work with a local server that only you have access to, and declare your already published website a test-free zone.

##Test your WordPress website locally

Installing WordPress locally on your computer creates a perfect testing environment for making changes, experimenting, theme development, plug-in testing, and developing your website.

By having a local server on your computer, you can also develop and design your WordPress website in offline mode. This way, you can test your website and see how it would look online without being connected to the Internet. Working with a local server also speeds up development, as no internet connection is required and communication is direct with the server.


Most importantly, you can make changes to your site in a protected environment without compromising the data integrity of your web presence. Since a locally operated website is not on the Internet, hacker attacks and security breaches are almost impossible.

##Create a local testing platform with MAMP

All you need to set up a local testing environment is free open source server software like MAMP, WAMP or XAMPP. This gives you all the means to run WordPress locally on your computer for development and testing purposes.

Originally developed only for Mac OS, MAMP now also runs on Windows and Linux. While WAMP is only compatible with Windows, XAMPP works on many platforms (Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Solaris).
If you are a Mac user, MAMP is the easiest to use and the best way to run your website locally.

The term MAMP is an acronym for Mac OS (operating system), Apache (local web server), MySQL (database management system) and PHP, Perl or Python (programming language). The MAMP package contains all the software you need to run WordPress locally.

Setting up MAMP is very straightforward. To create a local server, you install a software package and a database on your computer.

To get started, you go to the MAMP website to get to the free MAMP download (the premium MAMP PRO costs a bit). The MAMP installer will guide you through the steps necessary to install the software. More step-by-step instructions can be found on the MAMP website.


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