Yes you can build a site on concrete while your current site stays up.

Check here for one way to do it.http://www.concrete5.org/community/forums/usage/i-dont-want-my-c5-w...

To start you would connect your site to your database which can be done by going to your domain http://www.yoursite.com there you will be asked for database info, and the rest, and than click go.

There is a basic install guide here, and if you need a guide for a specific host than type "install concrete 5" into search bar, and than choose specific hosts from the results.

This partially answered my question, thanks. Our current site is being hosted by GoDaddy and uses Microsoft Expression to program it. Is your answer still the same?

The second part of the question actually was- how do I get started with C5? I can't seem to find where to start from scratch building the new site. I have looked at the demo website but it looks like it assumes you have already done the basics of starting the initial layout.

Thanks

Yes its still the same, if you need help with the specifics message me, and I will help you get it going.

OK, I need to know how to get started from the beginning. I know I saw a screen somewhere that made me think I knew where to go to get started. We do not have a server so our site would be hosted (as it is now through GoDaddy). We want a totally different screen format.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Dave

Try this:

http://andrewembler.com/posts/screencast-how-to-build-a-concrete5-t...


Please use ME with caution, it can add stuff (code) you do not need.

How can i build /set up a homepage via C5?

I have ftp access to my current site and am looking to use C5 for a new look, but what software do i need, what are the first 5 steps from selecting a theme to actually loading that theme onto my server?

Please help.

Rather than install on a separate domain name, you can install C5 into a sub folder, e.g.http://www.example.com/c5

Once you've got everything ticking along, just move the files from c5 into root, adjust your config/site.php and .htaccess as required and you're live.