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New Site help please

  • New Site help please

    Posted 14 years 10 months ago
    • Hello all

      I have been asked to create a new site and will do using an RT template, I need to know the following please to help me along and avoid problems.

      The client already has a working site (I will be creating an updated site for him) his domain name already points to his old site which is live and needs to remain so until change over.

      So, When I am setting up the Joomla and building the site, do I enter all information to Joomla setup using the current live domain name, will I still be able to see the new site?

      My aim is to build the new site then have the domain pointed at the new DNS servers of the new host.

      I'm assuming I should be able to see the site while being built in Joomla backend, but just need to be clear.

      Hope this all makes sense

      Thanks
  • Re: New Site help please

    Posted 14 years 10 months ago
    • Hello,

      What I have done in the past, is I used a sub-folder on that domain and built the site there. Before I was ready to transfer, I backed up the current site, deleted the root files, and then when I was ready, I transferred the sub-folder Joomla install (new site) into the root and change the configuration.php paths.

      There was a little site downtime, but this was expected. But yes, if you place your Joomla files in a sub-folder (yoursite.com/newsite) then you can take all the time in the world to finish it. I had it password protected so nobody saw what I was doing..
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    Re: New Site help please

    Posted 14 years 10 months ago
    • Develop the site on your local host, a sub directory or sub domain of the live site, or on your development server.

      A) Local host, only you will be able to see and have access to the site. Difficult for your client to make requests for changes / updates unless you show them the site on your laptop or provide comprehensive screen shots.
      B) A sub directory or sub domain of the live site – Since it's their server, both you and your client will have access to this and be able to control passwords, etc.
      C) A development server – one which you have complete control over – your client will have access to this to view the site and ask for changes / updates. However, since it's your server, they won't have control / access to passwords and content.

      ‘C’ is probably the best option. Let your client have access to the site to see how things are going, but keep control of the contents / passwords until the project is finalized and you receive (the bulk of) the payment before you transfer the site to a live domain. If you search the forums, time and time again you will find horror stories about developers that worked on sites for weeks or months only to find themselves locked out of the site in the very end by unscrupulous clients that have decided that they didn’t want to pay for the site.

      In any of the cases above, no matter how or where you develop the site, you can use JoomlaPack to move the site from your localhost, a sub directory, a sub domain, or a development server quite easily.

      The client can keep their current site up until the very end, and when you and the client are sure the new site is all set, you can make the move.
    • Thanks,
      jim
  • Re: New Site help please

    Posted 14 years 10 months ago
    • I like JEM's post better. Go with it! :) :)
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    • John Hodgkinson
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    • Retired, but build and run websites for organisations of school leaders and others - e.g. http://www.icponline.org, http://www.aspa.asn.au, http://www.appa.asn.au

    Re: New Site help please

    Posted 14 years 10 months ago
    • Maybe this thread could be added to the Tips and Tricks area, even though it is not specifically about an RT issue.
  • Re: New Site help please

    Posted 14 years 10 months ago
    • Thanks for your help so far guys

      Jem, Not wanting to sound too dim here :-), So I could build the new site on a spare / unused server I have at the moment, with use of Joomlapack to back up the site and upload to the client server when ready.

      Would I have to change settings in (I think) HTML, in terms of name of live site etc

      Also, in this case, I have suggested the client create a new account with my host company (His current host isn't very good) So I will be making the transfer to this new host with the client changing his DNS settings at the final stage, does this sound right?

      This may sound vague, if so I'm sorry

      Thanks again
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    Re: New Site help please

    Posted 14 years 10 months ago
    • Julian Campbell wrote:
      Thanks for your help so far guys
      Jem, Not wanting to sound too dim here :-), So I could build the new site on a spare / unused server I have at the moment, with use of Joomlapack to back up the site and upload to the client server when ready.

      Yes, that's right.
      Julian Campbell wrote:
      Thanks for your help so far guys
      Would I have to change settings in (I think) HTML, in terms of name of live site etc

      JoomlaPack will do all of that automatically. All links you create in Joomla are relative to the root so it wont matter when you move from for example, www.my-dev-server.com to www.my-client-site.com
      Julian Campbell wrote:
      Also, in this case, I have suggested the client create a new account with my host company (His current host isn't very good) So I will be making the transfer to this new host with the client changing his DNS settings at the final stage, does this sound right?

      Again, JoomlaPack will do all of that automatically.

      There are tons of instructions for transferring your site manually from localhost to a server or from one server to the next, but basically, without any knowledge of which files need to be edited manually, JoomlaPack will back up your site, create an installer similar to a Rocket Launcher or stock install of Joomla and have you up and running in minutes.
    • Thanks,
      jim
  • Re: New Site help please

    Posted 14 years 10 months ago
    • Sounds a great way to work

      Im going to start the design process now

      Just one last question Jem. The client now has a clean server with my host (No Joomla install yet) Do I need to at least install Joomla 1.5 or is this done as part of the transfer also with Joomlapack

      Thanks again Jem, this has been a great help
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    Re: New Site help please

    Posted 14 years 10 months ago
    • After you work on your site, on the spare server or locally, back it up with JoomlaPack.

      Not need to install Joomla in the new server until you have developed it, backed it up and are ready to install it on your client's host.

      The back up will be your Joomla install.

      Install JoomlaPack on the sites(s) you want to move.
      Create a back-up of the site.
      When you fist start you will see a message:

      JoomlaPack may not work as expected
      JoomlaPack detected the following potential problems:
      • Default output directory in use
      • ZIP format selected

      For now, it’s safe to ignore.

      You'll be moving the back up as soon as it's finished and the zip format works fine.

      Run the backup

      (This will back up the site and the DB creating an installer packege exactly like a Joomla stock install or a Rocket Launcher package with your sites's contents)

      Navigate to the /administrator/components/com_joomlapack/backupadministrator/components

      Here you will find the zipped file you just created.

      Download it and after you do so, delete it or move it to another directory.

      Upload the zipped installer to your new domain.

      Extract it in the root (public_html) or a folder.

      Run the installer just like a rocket launcher, the first screen will look a little different.

      Of course, you’ll need to set up a DB prior to the install.

      You can name as you like it and use any password you like.

      During the install, the old DB name, password will be filled in by default, but you can change them if you have created a DB with a new name or password.
    • Thanks,
      jim
  • Re: New Site help please

    Posted 14 years 10 months ago
    • Thanks again Jem

      I will be reading this post often I can see

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