Moving new site from test folder to public_html

[mindmastery]

Hi guys, I am using Dreamweaver CC, and have created a brand new version of my website with totally different formatting, css etc, which I have currently placed within a test folder, on the existing site - and I am now ready to take down the old site and upload the new one (which will also co-incide with changing servers, as well).  However, I remember last time I moved css / html files, I ran into some problems - as all my css and formatting had disappeared, and I had to do a complete redo all over again (I think possibly I may have copied and pasted the files over from the test folder to the main folder?), so I am worried I may replicate my mistake.    So.. I am just double-checking the best procedure for moving files - from my test folder to the correct public_html folder, for upload - to ensure I do not lose my formatting please.   Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Regards,

Craig T

[BenPleysier]

If you have set the new site up as all inclusive, i.e. independent of files in the old site, and the links set to Document relative, then there should be no problem.

Have a look at the Site Setup

[osgood_]

mindmastery wrote:

Hi guys, I am using Dreamweaver CC, and have created a brand new version of my website with totally different formatting, css etc, which I have currently placed within a test folder, on the existing site - and I am now ready to take down the old site and upload the new one (which will also co-incide with changing servers, as well).

Sounds like you should be uploading the new files to the new server?

If you change servers the domain-name will be pointed to the new servers and that's were your new site files should be, unless I'm reading this wrong. Your existing server with the current files and test-folder then becomes redundant as the domain-name is pointing to the new servers unless you are poining the domain name to both servers for some reason?

Either way new or old server, as long as you upload the files to the remote server following the same file/folder stuture as your local development file/folders structure then you should have no problems.

[mindmastery]

Thanks very much Ben and Osgood - both enlightening replies thanks, and very true that when moving to a new server there should be no problem uploading new files.  However....probably what I should also have explained is - currently in dreamweaver I have all my existing (old) files in the local site area, as well as a folder with all my new files (including the new css etc that go with the new site in that folder) - and what I have done previously is move all those old files from the local site area into an 'old site' folder, before moving all my 'test site' folder's files into the main local site area (ie. where the old files were) - and then simply changing the FTP details to the new server, and uploading them. (is there a better way than this?)   But where I am unsure is if this was the approach that might have previously lost all my css and formatting - which I am a bit worried about doing again.  Does this make a difference if I do it this way guys?   I probably just need to copy and paste the files into the local site area, and go for it (and find out that way) - this sounds like the advice you are both giving me as well.   I just wish there was some way I could upload the files to the new server and check them out in advance, before I change the DNS to point to the updated site!

Thanks,

Craig T 

[osgood_]

mindmastery wrote:

Thanks very much Ben and Osgood - both enlightening replies thanks, and very true that when moving to a new server there should be no problem uploading new files. However....probably what I should also have explained is - currently in dreamweaver I have all my existing (old) files in the local site area, as well as a folder with all my new files (including the new css etc that go with the new site in that folder) - and what I have done previously is move all those old files from the local site area into an 'old site' folder, before moving all my 'test site' folder's files into the main local site area (ie. where the old files were) - and then simply changing the FTP details to the new server, and uploading them. (is there a better way than this?) But where I am unsure is if this was the approach that might have previously lost all my css and formatting - which I am a bit worried about doing again. Does this make a difference if I do it this way guys? I probably just need to copy and paste the files into the local site area, and go for it (and find out that way) - this sounds like the advice you are both giving me as well. I just wish there was some way I could upload the files to the new server and check them out in advance, before I change the DNS to point to the updated site!

Thanks,

Craig T

I dont use DW to manage my sites so its difficult for me to say. Usually if I re-design a website I will start with a completely seperate folder rather than it being in the old sites folder.

Last time I used DW IF you move anything anywhere within the site folder you should only do it via the site files panel. From what I recall DW will then prompt you to update any links which will be effected by moving the files from one location to another.

You could always do a test by duplicating the site folder and doing a 'dummy' run. If it goes belly up just delete the site folder and revert back - rename the duplicate folder to that of the original site folders name.

You could always seperate the two folders, old and new, and just redefine the new site folder in DW. Then upload the files/folders to your new server - seems a better way of approaching it to me as you won't be moving any files around.

[mindmastery]

Excellent thoughts thanks MVP, I will take all those into account - the site files panel makes great sense, as I should be able to just re-set up a whole new version of the site in dreamweaver reflecting the new files.   Many thanks! 

[Ben M]

Craig, to you one point about testing on the new server before updating the DNS, you should be able to access the new server via it's IP address directly.  Given that all of your links are relative and not absolute, the site should function as you expect and you should be able to test before the DNS points over.

[mindmastery]

Thanks Ben - would never have thought of that!    Will definitely check that out before I set it live.    Cheers. 

Craig T