Test Site
From i.STAR Help
Test or "sandbox" websites are available on an existing i.STAR server, running off the same Retail STAR database that powers the existing site.
This popular feature provides an environment for testing out new website design and modifications before taking them live on your actual website.
Key Information
Unique IP addresses are currently not available for test sites. This means your secure checkout pages will not be available on the test site. Thus the test site may not be used to test anything on those pages:
- Registration / Guest Checkout selection page
- 1 Page Checkout
- Receipt / Confirmation Page
Checkout functionality will be not be available on the test site, so actual or test orders may not be placed.
What you can use the test site for then, is testing any kind of deployments on other pages, such as home page, product browse, product detail, site header/footer (wrapper), or adding new content pages and navigation links to your site. This is a great idea for those new to i.STAR site modifications and needing an area to learn, or simply just to provide a space to review modifications in an offline environment before you take changes live.
The test site will use the same Retail STAR database as your live site.
The test site will share the same site admin as well. Changes made via the site admin will affect both sites.
Setup Options
If you are contemplating a complete "ground up" redesign of your existing site, the test site can be setup with "generic" design templates effectively giving your team a "blank slate" to work with.
Otherwise, the test site will be setup with your existing site design files, an exact copy of your current site design and layout. This is the most popular option to provide a learning space for site modifications and review area in an offline environment.
How to Get a Test Site
If you would like to setup an i.STAR Test Site, please contact us at (800) 949-1470, option 8 or http://tickets.istarhelp.com.
Cost and Training
The monthly cost is $19, with a one time set up fee of $149.
Upon setup, you will be provided with the FTP directories to access your test site files, and the link/URL to access it from any web browser.
Training on site modifications is available at the rate of $120/hour. Familiarity with basic web concepts including FTP, HTML, CSS is recommended.
