This may offer some ideas
http://www.concrete5.org/documentation/how-tos/developers/organise-...

Softaculous is going to get a little funny when you do this. You don't want to point it at your main domain / live site because it will most likely overwrite at the very least the index.php file there, and you'll have 2 different site's files co-mingled together.

The other "odd" part about using Softaculous, is that if you install it to a subdomain (say something like c5.mylivesite.com) then when you do make your c5 site live you'll need to modify your softaculous configuration so it knows where to look at. All in all not overly difficult, just something else to remember to do.

Here's what I would do in your situation if you're dead set on using softaculous:
1. Create a subdomain to install your development site to.
2. Develop your website on your subdomain
3. When you're ready do make this your live site, move all of your existing live site files into a directory called "old" or something like that so that it doesn't clutter the existing c5 install.
4. Move all of your files from your subdomain into the root of your live site
5. Modify your softaculous configuration to update the url that softaculous is on.

This assumes that you're using your primary domain, most hosts don't let you change the directory your primary domain points at so you'll probably have a little bit of downtime. If it's not your primary domain tied to your hosting account, you can probably just change the parked domain to point at your newly created subdomain folder instead of the existing site.

Thanks Guys,

This is exactly the info I need. I understand what I have to do. However, I'm looking at the public_html folder right now and it looks a little intimidating. I can see many sub-domains, even though cpanel tells me there are only 3. Along with a bunch of other folders of which I have no clue what they are doing.

If I am to understand this more accurately I will tell you this:

sentinelpowersystems.com is the primary domain (as indicated through Cpanel).
sentinelpowersystems.com is being redirected to sentinelsolar.com
sentinelsolar.com is a subdomain where the wordpress site is located (currently live).

So what I need to do is this:

Create a new subdomain ie) 'sentinelsolarC5.com'
Install C5 to sentinelsolarC5 subdomain folder in public_html.
Build site using this new subdomain.
When ready - redirect sentinelpowersystems.com to sentinelsolarC5.com

Is this correct?

and, exchange - will I still need to modify the softaculous config? I don't know where I would alter the configuration or where such settings you are describing reside.

Thanks again!

Sounds like you have a handle on it. But I wouldn't "Redirect" to your new domain, I would simply change your add-on domain settings so that sentinelpowersystems.com to point at the folder you installed Concrete5 to when you're ready to go live. That way you won't have to mess with any softaculous configuration changes. You would only have to do that in the instance where your primary hosting domain (which is usually forced to stay in the site root) was not redirected to another directory higher up.

For reference see attached on how to edit softaculous configuration changes. Excuse my crude circles, windows snipping tool doesn't have a nice line tool :(

Just found out about Softaculous config.

Softaculous configuration is valid only once I have C5 installed and I am ready to edit the config...OR rather, edit the installed apps settings (C5 settings).

Of course.

Thanks again guys!

Once I have everything in place - we'll see how I do. It's likely I'll call upon you again...

One thing to note further. The subdomain sentinelsolar.com is actually an Addon domain. I'm sure it is no different though.

I will investigate the 'pointing' of the primary to the new subdomain, let you know how I make out.

Thanks!

I actually meant add-on domain, edited my response.