I already have a domain

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  saramichelle1992 · Member · Dec 11, 2018 at 12:31 am

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  Hi there, I already own the domain name in which I hope to use for this site upon completion, but I want to build it first while leaving the current one active, so when I switch over there is no inactivity on the site. How can I do this?

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  yamphoenix · Staff · Dec 11, 2018 at 10:40 am

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  Hi there!

  Yes, you can build the site now, on a free site address and connect the domain later when your website is ready.

  Go to https://wordpress.com/start/free/ to start a free site.

  On the 3rd step( when you have to give your site an address), just add the name you want for your free site(eg. ‘freedomain’ not ‘freedomain.com’). Then the system will suggest an available free WordPress.com address. You can register this site without adding any plan.

  We have tutorials available to help you in setting up your website with WordPress.com –
  https://en.support.wordpress.com/video-tutorials/

  Homepage

  There are tips to gain more traffic which you are encouraged to use:

  Increase Your Site’s Traffic

  
  https://en.support.wordpress.com/grow-your-community/

  I would suggest you set your site as private until it’s ready for launch so that it is hidden from the outside world and search engines.
  https://en.support.wordpress.com/settings/privacy-settings/

  When your website is ready, you can connect your domain to the website either through domain mapping or transferring the domain to WordPress.com
  https://en.support.wordpress.com/domains/map-existing-domain/
  https://en.support.wordpress.com/incoming-domain-transfer/

  You’ll need to upgrade to a WordPress.com plan in order to map or transfer a domain.
  https://wordpress.com/pricing/

  The process is a little different in case if you want to install custom themes and plugins on your website which requires the WordPress.com Business Plan.
  In this case, a domain needs to be connected to your site.
  Staff can help you by connecting a subdomain on the domain you already own initially, until you’re ready to switch the main domain over.

  Hope this helps and let us know if you have any more questions.