Keep website private while developing

[rej1587]

Hey guys,

I'd like to go ahead and get my hosting and start developing my website online. What's the best way to keep it private and hidden from users/google while I do this?

Thanks

[ScallioXTX]

I always password protect them using a .htaccess file.
For a tutorial on that: http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/htaccess/3

This assumes you're running Apache. For IIS it won't work AFAIK.

[wwb_99]

You don't need hosting to develop the website--that is just as, if not more, easily done locally.

[Mittineague]

I agree 100%. Having a localhost server is way easier than uploading - testing - editing - uploading - testing .......

Even if you can't get your localhost server configured exactly like what you'll end up with for a live server, you should be able to get things close enough for initial developing.

[rej1587]

Thanks, I spent some today setting up a local server so I'll just use that for now.