To manage zencart within dreamweaver, you need to know BOTH systems inside-out.

So don't even try to use DW to manage your templates (until you're an expert as mentioned above).

There are two issues here:

1. You want to get a webshop up and running to earn an income (either for yourself or someone else).

2. You want a nice-looking webshop that shows you to be professional and competent.

I always tell my clients to focus on 1. above... Get the thing going, start making money. Sure... it needs to look right, but you can get a pretty competent look - even by cloning the "classic" template.

While the active webshop is earning you a living, do a second install (you could even do this in a sub-folder on your existing installation. Use directory passwords to stop general access to it). On this second install you do all your learning and testing. If you mess up it doesn't matter... you can dump the entire install and start again.

In the coming weeks and months you will learn all the tricks, and will be in a position to ratchet up your site's cosmetics with more confidence and understanding. And your live site will have been making money in the meantime without you putting it at risk through novice tinkering