working parallel on a new template

[everchanging]

Hi guys,

since it has been so long since the last time I did it I would like to ask a question.

I am running an online store and currently I have a theme installed.

I am intending to install a new theme.

The issue is that the store is online, aka public, so my question is the flowing:

Can I work on the new theme in the "background", doing all necessary changes - like photos, css etc. - and once the changes have been completed to switch it to the official public one?

If yes, how can I do it?

I thank you in advance for every insides and advice. 

[Basara]

Hello.
Clone your website to local machine https://bitnami.com/stack/abantecart/installer or to subdomain/subfolder in your hosting. Do not forget software work with files and database so db clone is required.

[everchanging]

Hi Basara,

wow this I did not know...

Let me go into it, read its documentation etc. and I will get back to you.

Just one question though; let us assume that I do clone everything, that I do perform all changes etc...

Afterwards, how do I move everything to the official public store?

Thank you Basar

[llegrand]

If you have Softaculous on your cPanel , and the your account allows more than one database, you can use it to great advantage.
They have cloning  http://www.softaculous.com/docs/Clonehttp://
and the latest feature is staging -  read more about it here

http://www.softaculous.com/blog/prevent-breaking-your-live-website-with-our-staging-feature/
https://www.softaculous.com/docs/Create_Staging

[everchanging]

HI llegrand and thank you for your reply.

Yes I do have Softaculous but never got into it in much depth.

Allow me some time to look into it all and I will come back with an update.

Thank you guys for your guidance 

[llegrand]

One note  -  If you did not use Softaculous to do your original installation of AbanteCart you will need to use the IMPORT tab within Softaculous to add the site to Softaculous.   It is easy  and the Import tab and the From this Server Tab is pretty self-explanatory.
This will NOT change your files, database or any settings -  it just adds it to the Softaculous application so you can use those features.
CheersLee

[everchanging]

Thanks Lee for  the tip