How do I fit a new site in with an old admin area?

[keitosan]

Hi,

A few years ago, someone built me a site using zen cart. I am still able to access the admin.

However I've got a lot better at designing and coding since then so I wanted to code it myself, but I don't know how I can tie this in to the existing admin area.

Is it best I start over from scratch?

I know nothing about PHP but I do know CSS

I have bought the zen cart manual but I can't how to do this.

Kind regards

Kate

[afo]

Give us a better idea of what you're trying to accomplish and we can give you advice about it.

[keitosan]

I have a domain name: www.cutecreations.co.uk

However this does not tie in with the Zencart CMS that I have from my previous site which was built by someone else.

I am going to be creating a new design so that I can sell products but I need to tie this in somehow with the CMS.

Is it best to delete the CMS I have and start over again? I don't have the template that the guy used to design my site.

[Vger]

You change the design of a Zen Cart site by building a new template for it and adding it to the includes/templates folder (the quick and simplified version of what you need to do).

The template needs to be a Zen Cart template, with the Zen Cart structure intact. To get an idea take a look at some of the free templates which you can download from this site.

Vger

[gjh42]

You want to redo your existing site? You can create a new template folder/structure and do your work in that, leaving the existing template as is for now.

What you really need to do if your existing site is live is to copy its entire file structure to a subfolder (/test/ or something) and its database to a new blank database; that way you can work without disturbing the live site. See tutorials on moving a site, and making a testing/development copy.

Using a new domain simplifies this in one way, that there will be no interference with the existing one. If your site is established, it is probably not a good idea to change domains unless you really want the new name instead of the existing one. You will lose recognition, and search engine rankings (that can be helped with a 301 redirect to the new site when it is ready).

[gjh42]

I don't have the template that the guy used to design my site.

Actually, you do have it - the template is the files in the /custom/ template folder, whatever that is named in your case.

/includes/templates/your_template/

There should also be in the /templates/ folder two other template structures:

/includes/templates/template_default/
/includes/templates/classic/

[keitosan]

Just found these :) However I tried opening the css in the Dreamweaver and it won't let me view the design, just the code.

[keitosan]

Will I have to delete all the files on the ftp server relating to my current site? I can't get the old site to show up.

[Vger]

Dreamweaver is useless for what you need to do. Zen Cart is a dynamic PHP + MySQL based website, and it needs a web server for it to work on.

You can turn your PC into an offline web server (Intranet) which you can install a local copy of Zen Cart on. I recommend you install XAMPP (http://www.apachefriends.org/en) - it's a 1-click install which will install all elements you need (an Apache web server, PHP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin etc.)

You then modify files using a plain text editor, like PS Pad or Crimson Editor. You don't use Dreamweaver or Word or Word Pad etc.

You modify the code and can then refresh your website on your local web server and see the results.

Vger

[keitosan]

Dreamweaver is useless for what you need to do. Zen Cart is a dynamic PHP + MySQL based website, and it needs a web server for it to work on.

You can turn your PC into an offline web server (Intranet) which you can install a local copy of Zen Cart on. I recommend you install XAMPP (http://www.apachefriends.org/en) - it's a 1-click install which will install all elements you need (an Apache web server, PHP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin etc.)

You then modify files using a plain text editor, like PS Pad or Crimson Editor. You don't use Dreamweaver or Word or Word Pad etc.

You modify the code and can then refresh your website on your local web server and see the results.

Vger

Thanks Vger, I'll see if I can get this working :)