How to Duplicate Store

[Buddy]

Hello everyone,

I've searched this honestly for weeks on and off, mostly off, hoping I would find this out for myself but have had no luck. So I am presenting a two-part question.

I am planning on creating a new Miva Merchant store in addition to the mm5 store I currently have running. In this new store I will have everything the same in terms of products, except different prices and a different URL. (I know I can make price groups but that's not what I'm looking for).

So first, is there a fast way to create a duplicate store? If I do bulk export will that have all of the information regarding the product images I need or will I need to relocate and upload my images again?

Second, I have tried to use bulk export but can't find the flat file I create (ex: products.dat). I am using dreamweaver and looking at my remote files but no such folder exists where it says the files are being placed.

"355 products exported to 'Merchant5/s02/export/products.dat' "

However I have NO clue where this file path exists.... I've searched my computer for this file, I've searched the remote server... is it that Dreamweaver is hiding .dat files????

If anyone can help me you would seriously save me!

Thanks

[ILoveHostasaurus]

Just have your host duplicate it and update the licenses?

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

The files are on your web hosts server. They do not reside on your local PC unless you've downloaded them.

When a .dat file is created, it is created on the server and you must download it to your PC with an FTP program.

Like David said, the easiest way to accomplish what you want to do, is have your host duplicate the store and change the license key.

If they dont know how to do this, perhaps you need a host that is more famliar with hosting MIVA Merchant.

[Buddy]

Sweet guys thank you so much :)

The only thing is my second website is hosted with another company... so do you think I could have them duplicate and send me the file/files which I could then send to my other host to create?? Or better yet send it directly from host "A" to host "B"?

[d_host]

If "host B" is any good, they could copy your site from "host A" and update the store license on their end once the transfer is done.

One thing noone here mentioned but is also important - if your store on "host A" has any 3rd party modules, you will also have to purchase license keys for the new store on "host B" servers, since most module developers license their modules to be used in only one store. You can copy the data and all settings, but to comply with licensing and to ensure that these modules do not simply stop working in both your stores, make sure you have all new license keys for the new store. Replacing them is easy and your host should be able to help you with that as well.

[Buddy]

If "host B" is any good, they could copy your site from "host A" and update the store license on their end once the transfer is done.

One thing noone here mentioned but is also important - if your store on "host A" has any 3rd party modules, you will also have to purchase license keys for the new store on "host B" servers, since most module developers license their modules to be used in only one store. You can copy the data and all settings, but to comply with licensing and to ensure that these modules do not simply stop working in both your stores, make sure you have all new license keys for the new store. Replacing them is easy and your host should be able to help you with that as well.

Wow those are some really great points! I will check with host B tomorrow. Thanks!!!