How do I hide my website from search engines and the general public?

[allisterv80066289]

I am currently in the process of re-designing my company website and I now have a functional website ready for upload to the internet. However, the website I have created requires prior approval from senior personnel before I can upload it and replace the current website. I am looking to 'secretly' publish the website online - so that the directors and senior personnel can access the entire website from any computer (using specific URLs that I provide) - but so that the general public cannot access the website, or view it in any search engines.

Can anyone recommend the best way to do this? I was thinking of simply 'hiding' the website from search engines (so that the public cannot search for it and access it), but I can't find a way to do so!

Many thanks in advance for any help!

[Jon Fritz · Accepted solution]

I upload my works in progress to a password protected folder on my own site first. The client gets the log in, approves and the site is then uploaded to their domain.

The link ends up along the lines of www.mysite.com/client_name

They can log on from anywhere in the world, but need a password and username from me to get any further into the site.

Due to the password protection on the folder, search engine crawlers can't do anything with it and there's no risk of accidentally leaving noindex nofollow robots meta tags in the live site.

[allisterv80066289]

Good idea Jon, thank you. With the password protection, does the user have to input the password for each individual webpage they access, or is it just the once to gain access to the website as a whole?

[Jon Fritz]

I just protect the folder itself through the hosting company's admin area (usually cpanel).

They only need to enter the password once per visit.

[ftgben]

How do you make a password protected folder for a log in?

I want to be able to redesign a website and have it live while being reviewed. At the same time being sure it is not being indexed until ready.

Is this done in muse?

Ben

[Nancy OShea]

Muse is incapable of producing server-side programming which is required to password protect folders/pages.

The simplest way to password protect a folder on your server is through your web hosting plan's C-Panel or Plesk panel.  If unsure, contact your hosting provider and ask them.  In some cases, they can do it for you.

Nancy