Welcome Students! Here's where we really get started developing WordPress websites. There are three different types of environments that we use, so that you can get familiar with different working methods.
The word "local" in this context means that the entire website, server and database exists on a single, private computer. Since websites need to be "served" using the same technologies that hosting companies use, you'll have to install a program to run a server on your own computer. This system allows you to develop and view websites without being connected to the internet, and without paying for a hosting account. I use my Local Development Environment to practice and play with WordPress and the various Themes and Plugins.
While I originally used MAMP, as I teach in the current course videos, I now use Local by Flywheel instead, and I recommend that you do the same. Like MAMP, Local is also free to use, and you don't need a Flywheel hosting account to use it. There are some fundamental differences, and advantages to using Local by Flywheel instead of MAMP. The most obvious is that Local is designed for use with WordPress, and has an auto-installer so you can get new websites up and running very quickly. My websites in Local also seem to work and load faster than sites on MAMP. Another advantage of Local is the included email server, so you can test email sent from your websites.
Use the following notes to guide you as you use Local by Flywheel in place of MAMP.
https://www.udemy.com/the-complete-wordpress-website-business-course/learn/v4/questions/2255172
There are two free trial accounts available to you, so that you can try out and test live server environments that you might use with your websites. I recommend these two hosting companies and I use them both in my business.
SiteGround has a wide variety of hosting plans, and your free trial is for 3 months, and it's the equivalent of their least expensive plan - the StartUp plan. If you don't see the free trial when you try to sign up, please just allow me to set up your account for you. Certain locations in the world are prohibited from getting the free trials, but SiteGround allows me to sign up students manually in this case. Send me a Private Message through Udemy with your email address.
Flywheel is another, more robust type of hosting, called Managed WordPress Hosting. The 60 day trial allows you to get a feel for how the interface works, and see the differences between Standard Hosting and Managed WordPress hosting.
Both are not required, but I offer them so you can try them out yourself. If you choose only one, use the SiteGround Hosting account, as it's more likely to be the best starting place for your business, and it's the least expensive to continue using.
The Student Sandbox is where you'll be able to use the premium plugins and themes I use in my business, to make custom client websites. The Sandbox is a WordPress Network installation that allows for students to get their own sites within the network. The framework is called WordPress Multisite, and doesn't allow for students to download and keep the plugins and themes, but it allows you to follow along as I show how I create more advanced and specific website functions for clients.
Your sites expire after 4 months if you don't use them, and you can create and play with as many sites in the Sandbox as you like. You can't, however, keep and use the premium themes and plugins yourself.
I hope that helps you to understand the different working environments we use in the course!
Gregg