Moving a Store's Products and Pages

These instructions are written for the merchant, and assume that the new store has already been created on the new server.

Note:

The terms "old server" and "new server" are used in these instructions to refer to the server that is currently hosting the store and the server that the store is moving to, respectively. Likewise for "old store" and "new store."

Note:

If you will be using the same domain name for the new store that you had for the old store (for example, www.mystore.com), you may have run into problems when you are ready to test the new store while the old store is still running. Read about creating a hosts file on your computer for help with this issue.

To move a store to a new server by moving it's products and pages:

In the old store, go to Utilities > Database > Upload/Download.

Select the Products database, then click Download to download it to a file on your local computer.

Select the Pages database, then click Download to download it to a file on your local computer.

Log into the new store. Since this is the first time you've logged in, you will see the ShopSite Setup Wizard. Click the ShopSite tab in the upper left corner to bypass the Wizard.

In the new store, go to Utilities > Database > Upload/Download.

Select the Products database, then click Upload to upload the file that you downloaded in step 2. Click the Help icon on each screen if you need more information on how to upload product information.

Select the Pages database, then click Upload to upload the file that you downloaded in step 3.

Upload images to the new store, including any product and page graphics, and any custom buttons.

In the new store, go to Commerce Setup and configure payment methods, tax, and shipping.

Enable these other options in the new store if you had them enabled in the old store:

Customize the order system. Located in Commerce Setup > Order System.
Enable the use of SSL in ShopSite and the Shopping Cart. Located in Preferences > Hosting Service.
Customize any store preferences, such as the page layout and color theme or the page header and footer. Located in Store Preferences.
For ShopSite Pro stores, enable a discount schedule for volume purchases. Located in Merchandising > Discount Schedule.
For ShopSite Pro stores, add any associates. Located in Merchandising > Associates.
For ShopSite Pro stores, upload any custom pages. Located in Merchandising > Custom Pages.
For ShopSite Pro stores, enter the path to a custom CGI. Located in Merchandising > Order API. (You must first copy the custom CGI to the new server.)
For ShopSite Pro stores, set the Pubish (regenerate) options. Located in Utilities > Publish.

Publish your new ShopSite store and place a test order.

Once you have tested your new store, direct all traffic to your new store.

Give the DNS servers and your customers about one week to find your new store. Once all traffic has ceased at the old store, retrieve all order information, then close (remove) the store.