How do I upload a different template?

I recently downloaded a free template for zencart. How do I upload this template to my cpanel and then use it?

CPanel has a File Manager application that allows you to upload files to your server but that can be very slow. It's better to use FTP to upload your files to the relevant directories on your server.

Btw, I'm assuming you are familiar with Zen Cart's template override system and know which directories with which to place your template files. If not, you can read the following Tutorials/FAQ entry to have an idea. More articles on templates and overrides are available there as well.

Most of the free templates come with a "read me" explaining the process.

As canopy pointed out, an FTP client works best for this. Filezilla is a good free one.

I'm using hostgator. Do I use that cpanel? I can only access the zencart admin page. Where is the FTP located?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is best implemented by using a FTP PROGRAM which you install on your hard drive. A good free FTP program is Filezilla.

Download this from the web (not sure where it's found, but google it) and install it on your computer.

Once up an running, you will be able to transfer material from your hard drive to your server much more efficiently than through c-panel.

(Your host will have told you the FTP address and login details for your site - probably in their Welcome Email. If you don't have this info, just contact your host and ask for the FTP address and login for your server/domain.)

My host (hostgator) says that I can't change my zencart template using hostgator's cpanel. And I can't figure it out using my zencart admin page either.

You don't use your host's cpanel nor do you use the Zen Cart admin.

As stated in the above posts, you need to download an FTP client (Filezilla is free and available here) in order to upload files to your server.

The installation process is quite simple. To start off, you should extract the Zen Cart ZIP file. Once extracted, you will have a directory containing the Zen Cart scripts. The contents of this directory needs to be moved to your web server, either by copying the directory or by using an FTP program. You will then need to run the install script. To do this you need to open the browser and type in the URL. If you are running it on your own computer, this will be "http://localhost/{zen-cart-directory}/zc_install" or if on a live server: "http://{www.mydomain.com}/zc_install"

This is as far as I've gotten. When I type in zc_install, I get a hostgator page that says 404 error.

That's because your Zencart installation is already done, and the zc-install folder has been deleted.

One more time - download and install Filezilla, point it to your domain using your CPanel user name and password, and upload the new template files that way.

thanks. Sorry for the trouble.:oops:

/zen-cart-v1.3.8a-full-fileset-12112007/includes/templates/red_passion
Ive already uploaded the template to the website under file path ^^^ the template is not selectable though the zencart admin page though.
In the template folder i have 3 folders, "Classic", "Red Passion", and "template_default".
In the red passion folder i have "common", "css", and "images".

Now from all the tutorials i have read it should be correct, but still no result through zencart admin....so any suggestions troubleshooting would be appreciated.