Test folder on Server

[FukienMan]

This is my first post and first attempt at Zen Cart. I presently use Coffee Cups Shopping Cart Creator Pro. I know
It basically works very well and simple to create but the shipping is a nightmare and the reason for my change to ZC.

My question is this;
I use 1and1 for my host server. My current store is directly under the root directory: /

I want to be able to design a new store that will not be able to be accessed by search engines while I work on it. I fear that if I simply create a new folder (/demo,/test, etc.) under the root directory, google will find it and start showing it to people in their searches for my products. This happened when I was trying to make my blog with Worpress.

The people at 1and1 had me set up a test folder to put my new store in under a special subdomain that is automatically created by 1and1 from day one of signing up. The address of this subdomain is NOT my website address. It is preceded by a bunch of numbers:
##########.onlinehome.US/test

Weird, I know. Will this work for a demo/test store while I create it with ZC? Or am I asking for a world of trouble converting it to take place of my original store under the root directory??

I hope this makes since, I know I'm confussed

[gjh42]

That may work. Other approaches would be to set your Zen Cart after installation to "down for maintenance", with your IP the only one allowed to access it; or you could put an .htaccess file in the ZC root that would keep other IPs from accessing it, and I am sure there are other methods.

[schoolboy]

Just an observation... 1&1 are awful hosts for eCommerce... A bit like GoDaddy and Fasthosts.

Is your site intended to be a serious business, or just a hobby?

If you tend towards the former, then you should consider using a decent host.

[FukienMan]

Thanks gjh42, I will check into that.

As for 1and1 not being good, I beg to differ with you. It came highly recommended by several people with eCommerce and I have had my website with them for the 2nd year now and I have had no problems whatsoever. In fact, so far setting up my Zen Cart with them has been flawless. Their customer support is excellent. I always get an answer and never have to wait more than 5-10 minutes on hold. Like most (if not all!) companies they have a few tech people with foreign accents, but you can understand them. What is your beef with them ?