Can I install 1-click, but keep my existing site until the new one is ready?

When using our 1-click installer, you can choose to install in a subfolder (by typing in the folder name in the "Preferred address" field).

This way your existing site will stay visible when visiting the domain, while you can access your 1-click in the subfolder, e.g. ue-example.com/subfolder.

You can also <a href="https://en.simply.com/support/faq/46/294/">create a subdomain</a> and choose this as the install domain from the "Preferred address" dropdown, this way you do not have to type in a subfolder name.

When you are ready to take your new site online you can move it to the public_html folder. For most installations there are guides on how to move them from a subfolder properly. Check the documentation for the respective system.

For example, WordPress has this guide:
https://wordpress.org/support/article/moving-wordpress/