install without a domain or changing domain later?

[fixgear]

hi all.

 

i have a bit of an issue i need help with.

 

i rent a virtual server and am moving my various websites from other hosts to the virtual server to save money.

 

i am at the point where i want to move one of my business sites and at the same time, redesign the site in prestashop (it is currently in normal html).

 

the site in question is www.spainsim.com .

 

i do not want any downtime so i need to know how i could design the site in prestashop on my virtual hosted server but without the domain.

 

is it possible to set up a prestashop store at say http://www.simspain.com/ (on my new virtual hosted server) but then change the domain used for it to http://www.spainsim.com after it is all set up and working?

 

you see, the current site is at www.spainsim.com and i also own www.simspain.com which is URL forwarded to www.spainsim.com so i can move www.simspain.com to be hosted on my virtual server and set up the presta store there but i would really like the shop to be at www.spainsim.com .

 

hope i have not confused you all.

 

thanks in advance.

jer...

Edited May 28, 2013 by fixgear (see edit history)

[benjamin utterback]

Well if all goes well, your local host preview should translate directly to your live store. That is not always the case due to servers each having slight differences that could change the way your site functions.

 

Why don't you just use a subdomain to make your store? Something only you would know. Maybe like www.spainsim,com/dev_site987 . That way you can make your whole store on the server that is currently hosting your live store. When everything is ready, you can call your host and have them make the switch.

[fixgear]

hey benjamin.

 

thanks for the reply.

 

awesome idea, i had not thought of that!

 

so, you mean i can set it all up on my current server at say www.spainsim.com/shop and then transfer it all?

i mean if i ftp a copy of the working store to my hard drive and then ftp it up to the new server all will (should) work fine? nothing will "break" and it should be a smooth transition?

 

also, when i set it up can i set the database up on the new server (the one it will all be transfered to when it is all working) from the start? you see, on the current server i do not have MYSQL with my account so i don't want to pay more for one just to set it up and if i move it all later won't it break since the database would be on the old server? sorry if this is confusing you but i am not sure of all of this.

 

don't worry, i know there are no guarantees and i won't hold you to anything you promise

 

thanks,

jer...

[fixgear]

and one more question.

 

if i do set it up at www.spainsim.com/shop , will that be the permanent URL of the store?

i mean what would i put up as index page in the root directory of www.spainsim.com when i transfer it all to the new server?

i would have to put up a welcome page and the customer would havve to enter the shop itself or i'd have to put up a redirect html code to auto redirect to www.spainsim.com/shop . right?

 

or could the shop be at www.spainsim.com when everything is transferred?

 

thanks,

jer...

[fixgear]

so basically, how do i install on a server with no MYSQL or data base at all on the current webspace?

can i install it there but use a database on the new server (the one everything will be transfered to later along with the spainsim.com domain?

 

tnx,

jer...

[fixgear]

ok, been brainstorming and figured out a solution.

using the advice from benjamin but in a slightly different way, i have decided to copy my current site from spainsim.com to my hd and then transfer the domain to the new server and publish the current site there, hence no or very little downtime.

since i do have MYSQL on the new server, i will install the prestashop on the sub-domain www.spainsim.com/x and get it all working 100%.

 

so, my only remaining question is if i do set it up at www.spainsim.com/X , will that be the permanent URL of the store?

i mean what would i put up as index page in the root directory of www.spainsim.com when i transfer it all to the new server?

i would have to put up a welcome page and the customer would havve to enter the shop itself or i'd have to put up a redirect html code to auto redirect to www.spainsim.com/shop . right?

 

or could the shop be at www.spainsim.com when everything is working well.

 

i would prefer to have it in the root directory at www.spainsim.com rather than at www.spainsim.com/X.

 

thanks,

jer...