How to Set Up Test Bed

[Mickmo68]

Hi everyone,
You couldn't be newer to this than i am. I have set up a zen site and added a template that I plan to work with for now. I would like to set up a testbed and not work with a live site, how do I go about this. Please remember, I know almost nothing, so please go easy on the technical talk. Also, how do I park the url for now or "under Construction".
Thanks in advance

[afo]

Is your current installation live? If not, you can go into the admin and set the site to "down for maintenance" with your IP address in the space provided so that you can see what the site looks like.

If you want to set up a separate test installation, you can install Zen Cart in it's own folder and play with it there. You'll need to have a separate database for it. Pretty much you have to follow the same steps you did to install Zen Cart in the first place except that instead of putting it in the root, you put it in its own folder. I have that kind of setup on the Fan Odyssey site in my sig.

[Mickmo68]

Thank you. Where and how do I view the test site? Do I open it in my hosts site or on my pc?
One more question. When I view my website live, I can right click some of the banners etc and I am able to view the "source" notpad. How do I protect this?
thanks

[kobra]

Where and how do I view the test site?

Where ever you install it to like mysite.com/test

Do I open it in my hosts site or on my pc?

If installed on your server(host) then there

One more question. When I view my website live, I can right click some of the banners etc and I am able to view the "source" notpad. How do I protect this?

This is the www and your efforts at "Protecting" this will be futile -
What is it that you do not want viewed?

[Mickmo68]

Where ever you install it to like mysite.com/test
OK thank you, I get it.

If installed on your server(host) then there

This is the www and your efforts at "Protecting" this will be futile -
What is it that you do not want viewed?

Thank you Kobra. I jumped the gun on the source. I thought anyone could change my code.
I have to learn not to panic.
Thank you again for helping.

[sara73]

Hi

I am also new to setting up my own store, have had a pre set site before so no having to build and configure stuff..

i was thinking about doing the same thing ie. setting up a test site to play around with the different sections and to see how my store would look and work..

it was mentioned in another thread about setting up a sub domain to the url already hosted.. is this what you are talkng about here and if so would the public be able to see this etc..

am just worried about setting a sub domain up and it being viewed..

if not would it be safe to do this ie.. my stores domain is www.mystore.co.uk and if i created a test subdomain i could do http://test.mystore.co.uk create its own database .. create a folder and then upload zencart to that .. or have i got it all totally wrong..

I am currently in the process of reading the ebook and it mentions setting up on a local/pc server, all a bit confusing.. am just not sure which would be easier and safer to be honest.. any advice would be helpful..

Sara

[kobra]

sara73,

I would not make the choice you are thinking about

I would place a shop located on the www precisely where it will be when you are ready to actually open and start RIGHT now submitting it to the search engines.
NOT in some obsure subdomain.

As this process can take some time you will be ahead of the game when you actually open. Re-submit weekly or when your content has changed like adding additional products etc.

You can also setup a local install with wamp or easyphp - or mamp if your are on a MAC. Use this like on a laptop or?? and you can develop or make changes while not connected.

That is what I would suggest

[sara73]

Hi Kobra

Thanks for your advice.. am still working out all the essentials at the moment,, phpmyadmin, mysql... am getting there slowly... am the kind of person who reads up on things more than just to go ahead and do it.. so this will all take time i guess

i shall take your advice and maybe install on a local server first ..

altough i am not sure my site is actually "live" as when i type my domain in i still get the hosting company welcome sign, still havent worked out how to publish it to the public yet !!! well when i have configured it all anyway ..

Sara

[kobra]

If you are on a windoze box I prefer easyphp to wamp

http://sourceforge.net/projects/quickeasyphp/

Just a personal preference