Server move & upgrade - sanity check please

I've got to move a zen cart site onto a new server.

The current build is v1.3.9h. The new server has an clean install of 1.5 on it.

My client also wants to use one of the free templates available from Picaflor Azul on the new server.

Is the correct order of events thus:

1. Backup existing files and DB
2. Upgrade existing site from v1.3.9h to 1.5
3. Export DB
4. Import DB into new 1.5 install on new server (and do the rebuild DB etc.)
5. Install the template and tweak styles and categories etc as required

I'm not sure where I do the template bit as the current site doesn't use one - it's a slightly altered (colourways) standard looking site.

Any help appreciated - thanks.

My suggestion would be to work on the new server, creating a 'test' dir. and doing all that you want there; which is password protected so no one can access it but you. Once you have everything to your liking, copy all files to main dir. for the 'Live' site, create new database then Import the database used in the 'test' dir.

The above gives a secure area to test things before using on the 'Live' site. With two databases not connected to each other, if things go bad in the 'test' dir. you can always restore from backups without causing any problems to the 'Live' site.

Further, I suggest you consider the official guidance posted here: https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=100

Move the site to the new server FIRST. Then upgrade after it's working correctly on the new server. Follow the article.

Okay - thanks for the advice guys.

:)