The best way to customize and test your site!

[james739]

I was using the wamp5 server to customize and test my site. Here is the link in case you are interested:
(http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=586)

Although it works great for catalogue pages; I find that you can not create a test account or make a test purchase. This is very important for it gives you an idea of what your customer will be seeing when they receive an email or make a purchase. It also makes it possible to customize your checkout pages. Maybe I misconfigured the wamp5 server, if so, and somebody knows how to properly configure it, let me know.

Anyways, I no longer use the above method to test my site. There are 2 other more efficient ways to test your site.

1. If you use Fantastico through your cpanel to install zen-cart, you can specify a directory to install the software. I have attached an image of an installation through Fantastico. After you install on the directory, your test site address should look something like this: WWW.YOUR-DOMAIN.COM/TEST. This is the easiest way of doing it.






2.WHat I do is I create a subdomain through my cpanel. Now, everybody should have the ability to create a sub-domain through their server. AN example can be WWW.TEST.YOUR-DOMAIN.COM. Once you create the sub-domain, you can install your test copy of zen-cart using Fantastico. In the "install on domain" section, select your sub-domain. You will then be able to do everything; from creating accounts to sending emails to installing contributions. After you are satisfied with your test site, you can transfer or FTP your files to your LIVE zen-cart folder.




mY server uses the cpanel module and Fantastico. For those of you with this module, I have attached a few images on how to access and add a sub-domain. You can contact Server provider for details on how to do this.

If you don't have access to cpanel module or Fantastico, ask your service provider how to create a sub-domain. Your sub-domain is located in your Public_HTML folder. You can download the zen-cart software on your computer then upload it into that sub-domain.

I am not 100% on this part for I do all my installations through Fantastico. To do a manual install, try WWW.TEST/INSTALL.YOUR-DOMAIN.COM. Like I said, I am not 100% sure, I have not try that domain for a manual install. Please let me know if it works or not!


Best of luck!