Say somebody wanted me to recreate their website, and I wanted to redesign their site and put it on Wordpress. What information would they have to give me? Just FTP host name, username, and password? Is that what I would ask for? Can everything be done from there?
Well it'd be easiest to work from their original HTM files yes, but they can simply zip that and the graphic assets up and email / dropbox it to you. As for you recreating the site in WP, at a basic level you just need /wp-admin/ access to the site for content re-creation etc, you can upload all the graphics into the Media Library and even do basic structural code changes through the appearance/editor. All that said the only reason I could see you'd need ftp access would be if your making major structural changes and/or offline developing the site and want to sync / commit changes back to the live site.
But aren't their HTM files all found in the FTP? If I wanted to install wordpress on their site which doesn't currently have wordpress, I would need to install it in a directory. So everything can be done through the FTP, right?
My guess is that if you have to ask what information you need to create somebody a website, you're probably not the ideal person to be creating that website in the first place...
We all had to start with our first site somewhere Matt but yes it sounds like it's going to be a steep learning curve
I asked what info I need to install wordpress. First you said "the only reason I could see you'd need ftp access would be if your making major structural changes and/or offline developing the site and want to sync / commit changes back to the live site" Then I said but I would need access to their FTP to install wordpress, right? And you said correct. So you probably misunderstood my original question. The only two ways to my knowledge to install wordpress and work on their site is 1) By uploading the Wordpress folder to their root domain in the FTP or 2) by installing Wordpress through whatever control area their web host provides. But to get to their control area, you would need their user name and password which may also give you access to the billing. So logic follows that an average person would NOT want to give you that info, and would be more likely/comfortable in giving you the FTP info. Is that correct? And hey matt, I've made a few websites for a couple family members and my close friend who were all comfortable enough to give me their web host user name and password, (whole point of this thread is I don't think other people would want to give me that) and I've made almost 5 grand in the last couple of months. You mad bro?
Your right I didn't get that you would be installing WP from your original comments. Yes if they were the only two options then option 1 would be the more secure for the client. That said they should create a new temp ftp account just for u and that task which could then be deleted after install. Option three of course is they, through say Scriptilicious install WP thus negating the need for you to install WP or use the hosting providers support staff to do the install ... this all assumes it's not 'family and friends' and there is a need to keep tight control over access issues ...
You will also need access to their cPanel, or whatever they have, to set-up their Databases to even install the software.
I would ask for this information here: cPanel Login (Or whatever they use, that will allow you to edit/add databases) FTP Information (You can also use cPanel's 'File Manager'.)
Damn I forgot about the database. I've worked with a few different hosts so far (GoDaddy, HostMonster, and Pear) and when you log into the CPanel on all 3 of them, you would also have access to the billing. I gotta figure out a way around this =\
Well, you can always have them create it, or even use 'teamviewer' to create it. This will allow them to control your computer, while you watch what they do.