$10K/mo. shop: how to update/install theme risk-free?

[michaelgrey]

Hi guys,

 

I started using Prestashop in the summer of 2013 and our website now generates a steady profit. It runs on  1.5.4.1

 

We are using the basic free theme, and are looking to install this: http://addons.prestashop.com/en/high-tech/5612-responsive-phoneshop.html

 

How do we install this theme safely and easily? Do we need to upgrade the Prestashop version in order to install this theme?

 

We already backed-up the database and made a back-up in Cpanel (the tar.gz file). But honestly speaking, we wouldn't know what to do with these files when the website goes down/update fails/...

 

Note: we use Namecheap for our domain name and hosting.

Edited May 11, 2014 by michaelgrey (see edit history)

[El Patron]

if it was me?  I'd hire a pro to do it...(bellini13 for example), but there are others.

 

otherwise I suggest creating a 'test' version of your shop, i.e. in a subdomain etc.

 

then you can test cutover to theme (and it's modules) without affecting the production shop.

[michaelgrey]

 

 

otherwise I suggest creating a 'test' version of your shop, i.e. in a subdomain etc.

 

then you can test cutover to theme (and it's modules) without affecting the production shop.

 

Thanks a lot already!

 

Test version = duplicate on which to experiment? Or would you suggest a fresh new install in the subdomain?

Also, is a subdomain just a new folder in Cpanel (or in public_html)?

 

Where do we start?

Copy the contents of public_html into a new folder in Cpanel?

Edited May 11, 2014 by michaelgrey (see edit history)

[El Patron]

Thanks a lot already!

 

Test version = duplicate on which to experiment? Or would you suggest a fresh new install in the subdomain?

Also, is a subdomain just a new folder in Cpanel (or in public_html)?

 

Where do we start?

Copy the contents of public_html into a new folder in Cpanel?

 

you would copy or ftp existing files to subdomain

via phpmyadmin export mysql db files and import into new db for subdomain

 

then you will need to update the config/defines.inc.php with new mysql db name/pwd

then using phpmyadmin edit _shop_url table with new domain name (may be possible to just change via back office seo& urls)

 

there are loads of topics on this subject, so using google 'preastashop move domain' as example get more info

 

once you have running test shop (make sure in maint mode so not indexed) back this up test restore test restore until you have comfort level to move to prod

[michaelgrey]

you would copy or ftp existing files to subdomain

via phpmyadmin export mysql db files and import into new db for subdomain

 

then you will need to update the config/defines.inc.php with new mysql db name/pwd

then using phpmyadmin edit _shop_url table with new domain name (may be possible to just change via back office seo& urls)

 

there are loads of topics on this subject, so using google 'preastashop move domain' as example get more info

 

once you have running test shop (make sure in maint mode so not indexed) back this up test restore test restore until you have comfort level to move to prod

 

Thank you for getting into detail, you are a helpful person.

 

One last question and that should get us going:

 

The theme we want to install is available from version 1.4.1.0 to 1.6.0.6

 

Can we just buy it and upload it to the right theme folder in Cpanel's File Manager, select it in the back office, then move back to our default free Prestashop theme in a flash? Will everything look the same? Will all the modules still be activated/deactivated the way they were before we selected the other theme? (i.e. can we activate the theme to see how it looks for a second?)

 

Is a Prestashop upgrade absolutely necessary? Am I correct when I assume quite a few other e-commerce websites are running on 1.5 or older and are doing just fine? For all it's worth, what we have now works great. Maybe you did scare us a bit there.

Edited May 11, 2014 by michaelgrey (see edit history)

[El Patron]

Thank you for getting into detail, you are a helpful person.

 

One last question and that should get us going:

 

The theme we want to install is available from version 1.4.1.0 to 1.6.0.6

 

Can we just buy it and upload it to the right theme folder in Cpanel's File Manager, select it in the back office, then move back to our default free Prestashop theme in a flash? Will everything look the same? Will all the modules still be activated/deactivated the way they were before we selected the other theme? (i.e. can we activate the theme to see how it looks for a second?)

 

Is a Prestashop upgrade absolutely necessary? Am I correct when I assume quite a few other e-commerce websites are running on 1.5 or older and are doing just fine? For all it's worth, what we have now works great. Maybe you did scare us a bit there.

 

re, not sure how to address exact upgrade, building your test shop is first step.  Then back that up so you can easily recreate.

 

Try different cutovers until you are comfortable, i.e.. knowing all the caveats.

 

Read the following: http://doc.prestashop.com/display/PS16/Updating+PrestaShop

 

Then open new topics for different questions you might have.

 

---regarding should you upgrade?

 

if you do not have a specific business need for upgrade and you are happy then no need to upgrade, maybe consider final 1.5 release that will come out in the future.

 

if there is something specifically you want in 1.5 then I'd search for it, maybe someone thought of it since you first when production.

 

happy day, el