Clone wordpress blog on localbox manually

you can use this tool http://interconnectit.com/products/search-and-replace-for-wordpress-databases/ to replaces the urls. The advantage over SQL replace is that the tool know how to handle serialized info in the DB. Being easy to sync is problematic requirement with the way you are trying to do things. If you need that, then you should simply change your localhosts … Read more

Static HTML to WordPress migration

I would agree with the commenter – develop your WordPress version locally using something like MAMP (if Mac) or WAMP (windows). In that way, there would be no disruption to your existing site until you are satisfied and ready to upload the WordPress version. When you are ready to upload, I would (personally) clear out … Read more

Migrating WordPress site from subdirectory to subdomain

There is a very specific process to moving a WordPress site. You need to move the files and folders and change the rewrite block in .htaccess. But you also need to change URLs in the database. See Moving WordPress « WordPress Codex and WordPress Serialized PHP Search Replace Tool.