One of the ways in which you can make what I call a "brutal upgrade", is to create a DUPLICATE of your site - either in a SUB-FOLDER on the current domain, or on a completely different server.

Usually, a SUB-FOLDER duplication is sufficient.

So... you COPY (not move) your entire folder and file structure of your zencart installation, into a new subfolder (eg, called duplicate).

You then create a DUPLICATE database, with a different name.

You then edit the configure.php files ( in the duplicated site) to point this duplicated store to the new file locations, and VERY IMPORTANTLY, to the new, copied database.

You must also alter the CACHE path in the database (Use the FIX CACHE KEY tool in the free add-ons).

When you've done the above, you will have two "identical" webshops:

1. www.mywebsite.com
2. www.mywebsite.com/duplicate


I do two other changes before I start messing around in the duplicated site...

a) I change the HEADER LOGOs in both the webshop AND admin to a bright RED banner saying (DUPLICATE OF MAIN WEBSITE). You'd be surprised how easy it is to get confused! You don't want to be making radical experiments on the LIVE site, so a big, red warning banner reminds you where you are!

b) to restrict all access except my own, I put a htaccess password on this directory called "duplicate". (set up in CPanel - Password-protect directories).

My NORMAL STORE goes on happily without any problems, while I can do whatever I like to the "clone"... learning along the way, and making changes I would not dare attempt on the live site.

I keep copious written notes, and sometimes use a dictaphone (remember them?) to record my speech of what I'm doing!