Testing new template online without users seeing it

[jtgobizz]

Hi there,

I tried searching on the forum, but couldn't find the right answer to my question.
Does anyone try to test new template online without users seeing it.

I think it's best to test the new template with the live site, but it's not a good for
the users to see the unfinished site. So can it be that I let the old template run
while testing the new one on the live site?

Cheers,

[venezs]

I think Offline is fine to check the new template
I use joomla to go to check my new template

[jtgobizz]

I think Offline is fine to check the new template
I use joomla to go to check my new template



http://www.jendela-alam.com
Save The Nature for The Future

That's not my question though

[abernyte]

You have answered your own question. You cannot have a live site and a development site in the same place and time.
You could create a private development area by installing Joomla into a subdomain for live server testing.
So...http:/www.yoursite.com/testarea/

[jtgobizz]

You have answered your own question. You cannot have a live site and a development site in the same place and time.
You could create a private development area by installing Joomla into a subdomain for live server testing.
So...http:/www.yoursite.com/testarea/

Yep, I think that's the only way too. Thank you so much

[ryanohall]

Not True... but it may be too late....

I put my Joomla on a Virtual Server. Then all I have to do is Shutdown the server and backup the VM Disks (read: copy to a different server) to another server where I hook them up again and change the IP address and BAM! I have a copy of my server I can sandbox with.

It only took me roughly 1 minute to take down, copy and bring back up the server. I'd say for what it allowed me to do it is acceptable.

Technically you could do the same with a backup/restore. You could backup your box then restore it to another machine, change the IP and do the same. It'll be more difficult than I did with VMs but still doable.

[sudobashnet]

Hi there,

I tried searching on the forum, but couldn't find the right answer to my question.
Does anyone try to test new template online without users seeing it.

I think it's best to test the new template with the live site, but it's not a good for
the users to see the unfinished site. So can it be that I let the old template run
while testing the new one on the live site?

Cheers,

Just modify the template the way you want it and then specify the template via a URL parameter such as:

Normal Site: http://www.sudobash.net

New Template: http://www.sudobash.net/?template=ja_purity

Then check it out from there. You don't need to change your template to the "live" one until you are sure its good. Then just change it via the "default" button in the Joomla Templates section like normal.

[ryanohall]

Hi there,

I tried searching on the forum, but couldn't find the right answer to my question.
Does anyone try to test new template online without users seeing it.

I think it's best to test the new template with the live site, but it's not a good for
the users to see the unfinished site. So can it be that I let the old template run
while testing the new one on the live site?

Cheers,

Just modify the template the way you want it and then specify the template via a URL parameter such as:

Normal Site: http://www.sudobash.net

New Template: http://www.sudobash.net/?template=ja_purity

Then check it out from there. You don't need to change your template to the "live" one until you are sure its good. Then just change it via the "default" button in the Joomla Templates section like normal.

Most Epic Answer to this issue.... +1 if there were an option.

[sudobashnet]

lol, thanks

[abernyte]

Oh that is too good! Doffs cap towards sudobashnet.

[jtgobizz]

Hi there,

I tried searching on the forum, but couldn't find the right answer to my question.
Does anyone try to test new template online without users seeing it.

I think it's best to test the new template with the live site, but it's not a good for
the users to see the unfinished site. So can it be that I let the old template run
while testing the new one on the live site?

Cheers,

Just modify the template the way you want it and then specify the template via a URL parameter such as:

Normal Site: http://www.sudobash.net

New Template: http://www.sudobash.net/?template=ja_purity

Then check it out from there. You don't need to change your template to the "live" one until you are sure its good. Then just change it via the "default" button in the Joomla Templates section like normal.

Wow, that's brilliant! Thanks...

[JumboMkd]

Hi all

The solution by sudobashnet is good, but I need something more.

I am not just changing the template, but also changing positions of many modules and other big changes and this is visible everywhere and ruins my current template.

Any solution for this? How can I make a copy to a subdomain test.mywebsite.com and experiment with the template there and when it is ready to move it to www.mywebsite.com?

[rgreeniwa]

This thread seems to have lost its "energy", but I also sure would like to know the answer to the last question. Switching templates usually involves changing module positions, which as stated, would really mess up the existing site.

[bobdobelina]

I need to do this now on a live site and as you say, the module positions will cause an issue. My plan is to duplicate the live site and test it on there first. It will be long winded but I'm going to see what happens, change any modules that are causing an issue and make notes of what I do. I may even only use the new template on the home page to start with.

Then there's two options:

1. Go to the live site, put into maintenance mode and replicate all changes from my notes.

2. Move the database from the live site to the dev site and make that the live site. This way is a bit messy depending on your server. I've done it before but the host had to help with the DNS settings.

I was hoping to find some simpler solution on the forum but I think these are the only options.

[Per Yngve Berg]

Making a new template for a Joomla version that went EOL 10 years ago, is not worth the effort.

I think you should rebuild the site using the current version of Joomla (3.8.10). You will need new templates as the old ones cannot be used anyway.