Development

Conducting site backups on a regular basis, whether local or in the cloud, can be a time-consuming task. So much so, that many site owners will forego it altogether, which can lead to significant data loss and even lost revenue. And then, all that concern over time lost performing backups seems like small potatoes compared to the time and money lost when your data vanishes into thin air.  Luckily, making use of a straightforward backup tool can save you time and effort, and ensure the safety of your data with minimal fuss.  The Cloud Backups add-on for Local (aka Local […]

Although you may use WordPress for absolutely everything, there may be occasions where you break away from the CMS for one reason or another. And if Local is your tool of choice for offline development, you might think you have to switch to a different one because you can’t use it without WordPress. Thankfully, that’s not the case.  Today, we’ll show you how to set up and use Local to without WordPress. We’ll discuss what other types of sites you can build with Local, how to access the files and database you need to do it, how to save this […]

One of the great features of Local is its ability to import and export websites. This is, of course, useful to move a local site to a live server and vice versa or to move a local installation to another computer. If you do this with any other server (local or live), it usually involves copying the entire WordPress file system, exporting and importing the database, and changing the MySQL credentials inside wp-config.php so WordPress can connect to the database. You also have to replace the mentions of the old site URL inside the database. Working with Local makes this […]

Local WordPress environments are perfect for developing new projects, testing updates, and debugging sites. Depending on which type of local environment you use, you might even get access to debugging tools that your web host doesn’t provide. However, you may not know how to use them effectively if you’re just getting started. Free options like Local offer useful resources that can enable you to troubleshoot your WordPress website. It gives you access to tools for testing outbound email functionality, live reloading, and even a link checker. In this article, we’ll explain why you may want to use a local environment […]

Creating a unique WordPress-based website can be a time-consuming process. If you are a web developer with dozens of clients, you’ll repeatedly be undertaking the same tasks. As a freelancer, this precious time could be better used elsewhere. One solution to this problem is Local, formerly known as Local by Flywheel. This is a tool that streamlines your offline WordPress development workflows. While plenty of other solutions do this, Local is particularly easy to use, and offers many time-saving features. Best of all, it’s completely free. In this post, we’ll explain what Local is and discuss its advantages for freelance […]

This is the concluding article in a series I’ve been writing on accessible web experiences. In the first article, “Why Do We Develop Accessible Web Experiences?” I discussed the “why” of accessible digital design. In “Building a Better Blueprint,” I covered creating personas, user journeys, sitemaps, and wireframes consistent with universal design principles. In “ARIA: 5 Best Practices for Screen Readers and Other Assistive Devices,” I shared techniques for making web experiences accessible for screen readers and other assistive devices. In “How to Talk to Your Clients About Why Website Accessibility Matters,” I offered some advice on how to discuss […]

According to a recent survey, 28 percent of small businesses don’t have a website. Additionally, many companies take months, even years, to get their sites up and running. As a business owner, you know that time is money. Therefore, when it comes to creating your website, you don’t want to waste any time setting it up. Thanks to Local, you can create and publish a WordPress website with ease. In just a few clicks, you can have a beautiful and responsive website that showcases your products and services to the world.  In this post, we’ll take a closer look at […]

Local (formerly known as Local by Flywheel) is a powerful tool with loads of useful features for local WordPress development. It has all necessary the functionality to create a local server and run WordPress sites on it. We also have a detailed tutorial for how to use it. As a more casual user, there might be a number of Local features that you might not be aware of. In order to make up for that, in this post we will look at some of those less obvious capabilities of the program that can make your life a lot easier. Knowing […]

In most cases, you want as many people as possible to visit your website. However, you can also create a “local” site that only you and other users within your network can access. Local WordPress sites are amazing tools for development and testing, and best of all, they’re free to use. A local WordPress website works just like any regular installation. You can install plugins and themes, access the site’s core files, and edit its code. However, since you’re using a local environment, the website should instantly load. In this article, we’ll discuss when it makes sense to use a […]

If you’re a WordPress developer, you’re probably looking to set up a local development environment where you can test your changes before pushing them to your live site. However, you might not know the best way to go about it. There are a few different ways to move a live WordPress site to a local environment. The best option will likely depend on your experience level, and the migration process might only take a few minutes. In this post, we’ll discuss why you may want to move a live website to a staging environment. Then, we’ll share two different ways […]