Complete newbie in need of some advice please

Hi guy’s,

Right here goes nothing,

I currently have my own web shop I created my web shop using FrontPage and I’m very happy with the way it looks and works but I’m considering swapping over to Zen cart,

I sell lots of download items and I’m currently using e-junkies which is costing me an arm and a leg,

There are still a lot of things that I don’t know about web design and I am quite worried that it may be above my station, although I’m a very fast learner,

My web host is fast host, can I upload Zen cart to this the same way as I have with my current site I made using front page, obviously I know that I need ftp software, what I mean is do I need to upgrade my package from a developer package which has 4gb, to there dedicated server package which costs a minimum of £50, my front page only takes up 8mb of space but I haven’t uploaded any of my download item that I sell to this as until now have been unsure if I can do it,

Let me explain what I’m try to say a little bit better,

I email fast host asking them about selling downloads on my web site and they suggested that I buy there dedicated server package and to be honest its confused me because I’m now thinking can I add my downloads to the package I already have or not are they just trying to get more money out of me,

At present my downloads are about 2 GB, so I don’t really need the extra space that the dedicated server will offer,

Also if I do decide to go ahead with Zen cart how do I go about running my current site until the new one is ready, do I upload them both to the same server?,

sam

Zen Cart itself requires about 20MB of disk space and a mysql database...

20 MB is not much and your downloads are far above that - are they in compressed form?

I would not think that you require a dedicated at this point and only the future will tell if your additions and/or traffic necessitates that you move to a dedicated

Zen Cart can be installed in a directory while you set it up and moved or left in the dir later

I’ve just checked my web host and they do have a mysql database, so that’s one hurdle sorted,
How easy is Zen cart to work with, I’m not stupid but I’m also no web designer, I designed my current web site using front page and if it’s similar to that I’ll be fine,
Sam

I designed my current web site using front page and if it’s similar to that I’ll be fine,
Unfortunately, it is not at all like FP which is a WYSIWYG type of editor.

Being a php application the actual full pages do not exist but are assembled from pieces and information from the database.

This community is here to help

I’ve just upgraded my server to a mysql database, what next?, I’ll pop of the forums and have a read but any extra info will be much appreciated,
Sam

Let's assume that you successfully get an online store built and you are happy with it. Regardless if you use Zen Cart or another (lesser) brand you will need an SSL certificate. This will be for transfer of personal data like name/ password - general account details plus card details if you collect them. For this you will need a dedicated server.

The ssl is under control,
But what I need at the moment is advice on getting started, I’ve just changed my server to a mysql database, what next?, I’ve been reading in the forums but now I’m just confused,
Do I upload to the mysql to the database or do I Installing MySQL on my Windows PC, I still want my current website to run,

This tutorial is a good place to start:

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=107

Lots of great info in the tutorials/FAQ link at the top of this page.

You can install Zencart to a subdirectory on your current site (/shop, for example) then move it when you're ready. I don't recommend an installation on your local computer.

ok, thank for that