One zencart one two domains

Hello,

for example I have two domains:
a.com
b.com

Zencart is installed on a.com.
b.com is an add on domain. Can I run same zencart on it with different UI template so it looks like two different sites?

Thanks,
TheGuest

If they are the same server or you have the ability if its on a different server to access the sql server from a remote location should be able to be done.

All you need to do is call the same database from the second shop. A change to one will effect the other.

The only problem you may run into is the store name is stored in the database so it might want to change the store name and have them be the same.

I have actually never done this but i understand it can be done, I may have to try it just for the fun of it.

The way I see this as it has to be two separate installations that access one DB, right?

Let's say I install second zencart and point it to existing DB. During installation process does it change content of the DB?

Thanks,
TheGuest

Yes, the installation will re-create the database.

So, you either need to :

Start both at the same time so that doesn't matter.
Back up the database, install the second installation, and then restore the back up.
Install on a second database and then edit the configuration to point to the new database.

Haven't done any of these.....

You can run 2 Zen Carts off the same database BUT both will have to carry the exact same products and use the same template.

As hhstudio said "A change to one will effect the other."

Well, contents of the database need to be the same.(evidently as it is the same database!) That means the template id that is used in both shops needs to be the same but it doesn't actually mean that the template needs to be the same.

If you want to have a slightly different product range in the two shops, for instance a category displayed in one but not the other, then that could be achieved with a bit of custom code.

Does anyone have a procedure for this, like... zen cart for dummies, kind of thing?

I run my shop in one domain, but have purchased another and plan to move it there. But I'm afraid to lose organic google traffic, so in an ideal word I'd still keep that while building the new shop - which will be the exact same shop, no modifications whatsoever.

How do I go about it?

TheGuest:

Hello,

for example I have two domains:
a.com
b.com

Zencart is installed on a.com.
b.com is an add on domain. Can I run same zencart on it with different UI template so it looks like two different sites?

Thanks,
TheGuest

Another way to achieve 2 stores running of the the same DB on 2 different domains is to use the MultiSite module. Bit fiddly but you can assign certain products to site a.com and another set to b.com. Another advantage of this approach is that you can have different templates for different shops.

Just look into the Free Software Add Ons part and the official MultiSite thread.

Frank

@Unicorn

Your question is slightly different to the topic of this thread. If you search the forums for moving hosting you will find a lot of information.

In general, though, you can do exactly as you say:

1. leave the original site running
2. copy the site to it's new domain so that you have both running
3. when you are ABSOLUTELY sure that the new site is good then apply a 301 divert from the old site to the new site. This will divert all the traffic from the old site to the new site.

niccol:

@Unicorn

Your question is slightly different to the topic of this thread. If you search the forums for moving hosting you will find a lot of information.

In general, though, you can do exactly as you say:

2. leave the original site running

3. copy the site to it's new domain so that you have both running

4. when you are ABSOLUTELY sure that the new site is good then apply a 301 divert from the old site to the new site. This will divert all the traffic from the old site to the new site.

Thanks! :)

I have absolutely no idea how to set up a 301, but will try and find out.

You set that up in cPanel - look at cPanel help / forums

Frank