FULLY Testing changes/updatest/modifications before going LIVE?

[zcnb]

My questions this time relates to a scenario in which I already have a "live" (commercially operational) Zen-Cart based web site, then I need to apply some changes/improvements to it.

So far, I managed to test most of Zen Cart's functionality locally (on an XAMPP based windows server).

But there is at least one feature that cannot be tested locally: PayPal payments.

Also, operations in which the real SSL certificate is involved cannot be tested either, as they require the real URL (vs. example.com).

As Zen Cart is a critical business tool, I am sure that I am not the first one dealing with this problem: I would like to be able to "flip the switch" from an existing (operational) web site to the new one (with either minor or major changes that I applied).

What is the proper way to do that?

Thanks,
Daniel

P.S. I don't have a commercially operational web site yet. I am just trying to plan ahead.

[stevesh]

I have several Zencart test sites on my reseller account with my host, which allows me to test mods, etc. before I add them to a 'live' site. I have them password protected, and could take any one of them live at any time, by copying the files to the new domain, and editing the cionfigure.php files.

You can't test SSL that way, unless you spring for a 'wildcard' certificate, but the SSL function in Zencart is stable, so as long as the cert is installed properly, you'll be OK.

[zcnb]

Thanks, Steve. So, if I understand correctly, the best strategy here is to maintain at least one additional "real" site, then copy over the files once that site is tested.

Still, even if all files are tested perfect, there is a possibility that something will go wrong in the copy process itself (you know, we are humans... ) - which may result in downtime that could hurt business image.

So, it just occurred to me that if I am already going to pay for a mirror site (another domain/SSL etc.) - why not simply use Redirect 301 to switch instantaneously from the existing operational store the new one.

Minimal down time. Minimal risk in the switchover process.

Does that sound right? or am I missing something ("too good to be true")?

Thanks,
Daniel

[DrByte]

The only accurate test of any interface used on your site to talk to external services ... is a real live transaction. It doesn't matter how much you've tested anything in an offline setup, you *still* need to test everything on the live site. Make sure that's part of your go-live plan.

[stevesh]

So, it just occurred to me that if I am already going to pay for a mirror site (another domain/SSL etc.) - why not simply use Redirect 301 to switch instantaneously from the existing operational store the new one.

A lot of folks here use 301's. Personally, I don't like to add another layer of complexity unless it's really necessary, so I like everything that's live in its own root.

As far as paying for a mirror site, putting your test site in a subdirectory of your main site works just as well, with no added expense.

I use my test domain ( stevesh.com) for a lot of stuff other than Zencart, so it's worth the expense for me.

[zcnb]

A lot of folks here use 301's. Personally, I don't like to add another layer of complexity unless it's really necessary, so I like everything that's live in its own root.

As far as paying for a mirror site, putting your test site in a subdirectory of your main site works just as well, with no added expense.

Steve, I also like to keep things as simple as possible but, as you just said, sometime some extra complexity is needed to address various needs. The example you gave me for maintaining multiple ZenCart stores as subdirectories of the same web host account is wonderful.

This 301 discussion reminds me of Butler W. Lampson's aphorism:

"All problems in computer science can be solved by another level of indirection."