website duplicates

[Marlake]

Hi there:
I have a linux server, godaddy hosting zen-cart latest version.
I have completed my creation of a website. But I am going to create 5 more using the most part of the same information (not the products)since all of them belong to the same company. I will be using the same linux serving, the same hosting.

If I want to save time, how can I create a duplicate of my original website but with other name. I will change the products later.
I am not cancelling the original, I want to create duplicates, all of them running at the same time, all very similar in display but with different products.

What steps should I follow?
In other words, what files I must modify?
THanks,
Marlake

[fairestcape]

Will you be hosting under DIFFERENT DOMAIN NAMES? (This is important, because if you want, for example, 5 dedicated SSL certificates, then you will need 5 dedicated IP addresses.)

How do you intend to set up the 5 different sites?

[Website Rob]

I would suggest you install Zen Cart without the Sample database. This allows for creation of a database that is empty of Products but will save certain Admin settings. Setup the way you want, no Banners for example or with only certain Sideboxes enabled, then save/backup that database. It will now be your 'blank' or 'starting' database for the other sites.

You should backup the Zen Cart files you originally uploaded and/or made changes to. With those files and the backup database you now have a complete 'blank site' you can upload; for starting the other sites, testing purposes or whatever.

For new sites you would only need to create a new database from within your Hosting account Control Panel, upload the 'backup database' you saved and change the two 'configure.php' files, to match paths and any other changed information from the original.

Some trial & error in doing the above will help to smooth things out and answer some questions you might have thought of.

[fairestcape]

For new sites you would only need to create a new database from within your Hosting account Control Panel, upload the 'backup database' you saved and change the two 'configure.php' files, to match paths and any other changed information from the original.

...not forgetting to run "fix_cache_key.php" for each new site.

Rob, you said exactly what I would advise - great! (I've used the technique before), but if Marlake is going to be using the same hosting account (with sub-domains, perhaps) then the "cloning" process can be very quick - just a few minutes for each site - done through C-Panel and phpMyAdmin...

... that's why I asked the first set of questions...

[Marlake]

Hi:
I am going to use 5 new domain names. Each one will have a different domain name and all of them in the same hosting.

So, if i understand correctly:

1) make a backup of my database

2) just copy all of the files of my original store but changing the two configure.php

3) If I create new databases, how do I use my saved database backup of my original website?

4) How do I use fix_cache_key.php?

Thanks to all of you!!

Marlake

[charmedbytina2]

Marlake,

FYI: You cannot get separate SSL certificates for each subdomain on a hosting plan - only the primary domain can have a SSL.

Tina

[fairestcape]

Good advice, Tina... !

To me, there's no point in running an e-commerce site unless you have dedicated SSL, and that requires dedicated IP's - and that requires separated domains on the server.

... Again, I come back to my original question... HOW does Marlake intend to set this all up on his hosting account?

The safest and best way is to have 5 separate domain accounts, each with a dedicated IP, and each controlled via its own C-Panel admin interfaces. I don;t know what Go-Daddy is offering Marlake, or how his account there is set up...

...Marlake - do you have your own server there - or are you just using one of their shared server facilities?

[Marlake]

Hi there:
I apologize if I am not clear enough. Even when I have finished creating one website everything is new to me.
What I can say is : I have my own hosting, my hosting allows me to create up to 25 websites. I do not have a dedicated server. I am not planning on creating5 subdomains but 5 independent domains. I will have to ask Godaddy if I need to have 5 separate accounts to get 5 independent domains with a dedicated IP.
I will contact godaddy and then I will continue contacting you guys.
Thanks,
Marlake

[charmedbytina2]

Hi there:
I apologize if I am not clear enough. Even when I have finished creating one website everything is new to me.
What I can say is : I have my own hosting, my hosting allows me to create up to 25 websites. I do not have a dedicated server. I am not planning on creating5 subdomains but 5 independent domains. I will have to ask Godaddy if I need to have 5 separate accounts to get 5 independent domains with a dedicated IP.
I will contact godaddy and then I will continue contacting you guys.
Thanks,
Marlake

Marlake,
I can save you a phone call. I was hosted with goDaddy for years before I made a switch to a hosting company that is capable of handling zen cart.

You CAN set up separate domains on the same hosting plan. Your hosting plan CAN be moved to a dedicated server for SSL purposes, but only the PRIMARY domain is eligible for a SSL - all other domains on that hosting plan will be without SSL.

Tina