Dumb newbie question, perhaps: How to view offline site development with Mia

[Roger Podacter]

I don't know why I have had so many problems getting Merchant 5 working and I consider myself computer savvy... but nonetheless, it's been frustrating.

Anyway, I finally got it running and am just trying out the features to get used to the interface... setting up product categories, products... uploading jpegs, etc. I setup a template design. Now I want to view my progress. So, my question is, How? Currently, I am running Mia and developing this site offline because my host does not have Empresa installed on their servers yet. I really don't have any other option at this point because I can't take down the current static site. My hope is to be able to design the whole site - eCommerce and front-end design offline before publishing it to the WWW.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

Mia is extremely limited and was designed for offline testing of MIVA Script applications. It was never intended nor does it have the appropriate tools for developing Merchant stores offline.

The fact that you cannot easily port your changes to your live store make it less than a stellar option.

First thing I would be concerned about, is your host not having Empresa installed - which leads me to believe they are not a MIVA Hosting Partner to start - and more concerned they are not MIVA savvy.

Many of the top tier MIVA Hosts (the ones that specialize in hosting MIVA) will gladly help you out by permitting you a second domain and a promotional license to do your development on.

We do this all the time for our clients.

The only real way to develop and test your store is to view it online.

I don't know why I have had so many problems getting Merchant 5 working and I consider myself computer savvy... but nonetheless, it's been frustrating.

Anyway, I finally got it running and am just trying out the features to get used to the interface... setting up product categories, products... uploading jpegs, etc. I setup a template design. Now I want to view my progress. So, my question is, How? Currently, I am running Mia and developing this site offline because my host does not have Empresa installed on their servers yet. I really don't have any other option at this point because I can't take down the current static site. My hope is to be able to design the whole site - eCommerce and front-end design offline before publishing it to the WWW.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[kkielty]

When you are in edit mode on one of the category or product pages you should see a button called "link" in the upper right corner of the page. Click on it then check your browser window...it opens collapsed so check you open browser window, that will list the link preview.

[Roger Podacter]

The link button works pretty well, thanks!

I am a little surprised that Mia was not intended for offline development since I was informed by the sales team that this was its purpose... it was an important aspect of my purchase. As for hosting, we did not want to move our static sites quite yet since we have a long standing relationship with our current host. So, there is a bit of negotiation left before any decisions can be made.

Hopefully the link button will be all I need for now.

Appreciate the help!

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

It was intended for offline development - of MIVA Script applications. Not the store itself.

Do not let a long standing relationship with a host keep you from making a wise business descision. Moving to a MIVA Hosting Specialist will ensure the best enviornment for the future of your e-commece goals. If you have out grown your current host's capabilities and area of expertise, you should move where you will be able to grow and feel confident.

The link button works pretty well, thanks!

I am a little surprised that Mia was not intended for offline development since I was informed by the sales team that this was its purpose... it was an important aspect of my purchase. As for hosting, we did not want to move our static sites quite yet since we have a long standing relationship with our current host. So, there is a bit of negotiation left before any decisions can be made.

Hopefully the link button will be all I need for now.

Appreciate the help!