[CLOSED] Multiple stores with separate databases

Hi , I searched to find a way to do what I am going to explain now and I did not find any .

Creating additional stores on the same server and with the same control panel as far as I know, they
must all be in the same database created for OpenCart.

Is there a way to separate each store with its own database and use one control panel ?
The purpose is that I want complete control over the databases of the other stores, each one individually.

Thanks in advance

We all have separate stores with separate databases and some of us have them all on the same server.
By control panel do you mean CPanel server ?
If yes, the it is your host you need to be asking.

If you are asking if it is possible to have single installation of Opencart that uses different databases with different stores - no and no idea what the point of this would be.

Ahmed-E-Shop wrote: ↑

Mon May 19, 2025 1:33 am

Is there a way to separate each store with its own database and use one control panel ?

You're going to have to explain what you're trying to do and more importantly, WHY?

Ahmed-E-Shop wrote: ↑

Mon May 19, 2025 1:33 am

Hi , I searched to find a way to do what I am going to explain now and I did not find any .

Creating additional stores on the same server and with the same control panel as far as I know, they
must all be in the same database created for OpenCart.

Is there a way to separate each store with its own database and use one control panel ?
The purpose is that I want complete control over the databases of the other stores, each one individually.

Thanks in advance

"they must all be in the same database created for OpenCart"
"Is there a way to separate each store with its own database and use one control panel ?"
These are contradictory.

>> by Mona Thanks for your valuable answers
nonnedelectari >> Thank you for your contribution to the conversation
>> paulfeakins ,

I have a store for one country, and I want to implement a store for another country and process data from a single control panel (OpenCart). I don't want to merge any shared data into the same database. This is a crucial point.

If I understood the above correctly, I should install another version of OpenCart and handle each from its own OpenCart control panel, right?

If so, then experience is the best proof for those who have created more than stores in one server ( Using Opencart )

Is it better :
Case 1 : To create a sub-directory for each country from the root directory ?

public_html/country1
public_html/country2

Or

Case 2 : As in my current case, create a sub-directory for the other country from the root directory

public_html{country1}
public_html{country1}/country2

Will case 1 affect my rankings or cause me to lose links or make many adjustments, thus impacting the SEO I've already achieved?
Please let me know, what do you think, experts?

Thanks in advance

Ahmed-E-Shop wrote: ↑

Mon May 19, 2025 9:24 pm

>> by Mona Thanks for your valuable answers
nonnedelectari >> Thank you for your contribution to the conversation
>> paulfeakins ,

I have a store for one country, and I want to implement a store for another country and process data from a single control panel (OpenCart). I don't want to merge any shared data into the same database. This is a crucial point.

Why crucial? Why do the databases have to be separate?

Ahmed-E-Shop wrote: ↑

Mon May 19, 2025 9:24 pm

If I understood the above correctly, I should install another version of OpenCart and handle each from its own OpenCart control panel, right?

The backend of a multi-store will allow you to manage each store from the one admin panel.
With some extensions that support multi-store you could have each store present differently on each domain.

Sorry I'm still confused on what you are trying to do.
Mike

Why crucial? Why do the databases have to be separate?

Some example :
-Payment processors
-Some modules don’t work on multi-stores ( I want to use for every store its extensions )
-SEO issues for duplicate content

The backend of a multi-store will allow you to manage each store from the one admin panel.

Yes, you're right ( Still in one database )

With some extensions that support multi-store you could have each store present differently on each domain.
Could you give me an example of this extensions to have a look ?

If there are answers to my questions, I would be grateful?
Thanks

You have two options
multi-store
single store repeated

You can not do both.

case2 bad
case 1 yes
case 3 subdomains i.e. country.shopurl.com

payment processors work by zone - a non-issue
re some modules do not work on multistore - ask for paid support from the developers or buy modules that do.
duplicate content - canonical urls are already part of Opencart - a non-issue

Multistore is going to be far better (for pretty much every conceivable situation you are suggesting is what you want) with one database and one admin, unless the products are different. The only issue might be with a couple of modules and you that becomes a matter of whether your time and effort is of more value than the cost of either getting them adapted or buying new.

Layouts supports multistore, so if your extensions use layouts those will be a non-issue also.

Thank you for these valuable clarifications. I will consider more deeply the importance of using multiple stores.

Does "single store repeated" mean duplicating my store and then making the necessary modifications, or something else ?

I understood from Case 3 that I will install a new copy of OpenCart in a subdomain with a new database. Is that correct ?

Thank you so much

How about this one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqbKutVxJBg

Ahmed-E-Shop wrote: ↑

Tue May 20, 2025 2:52 am

Does "single store repeated" mean duplicating my store and then making the necessary modifications, or something else ?

It means set up EACH Opencart installation as a separate store with a separate database for each in a subdomain
Multiple admin, multiple databases

Ahmed-E-Shop wrote: ↑

Tue May 20, 2025 2:52 am

I understood from Case 3 that I will install a new copy of OpenCart in a subdomain with a new database. Is that correct ?

As opposed to set up a SINGLE Opencart installation with joint database and set up a multistore in each subdomain
https://docs.opencart.com/en-gb/adminis ... lti-store/
Single admin, single database



There is no single admin, multiple database option (or in your case a single installation with a single database for some things and a multiple database for others). That would be possible in theory but not a good idea in reality, you would need a pretty decent budget to do it, all for the sake of a few modules.

Ahmed-E-Shop wrote: ↑

Mon May 19, 2025 9:24 pm

I have a store for one country, and I want to implement a store for another country and process data from a single control panel (OpenCart). I don't want to merge any shared data into the same database. This is a crucial point.

You could use multi-stores, have a read of this: https://www.antropy.co.uk/blog/how-do-o ... ores-work/

There are pros and cons.

The biggest pro is that stock levels and products will be synced automatically.

The biggest con is that the stores will be tied together quite tightly and if you want a different feature for one of the countries it will be more difficult.

paulfeakins wrote: ↑

Tue May 20, 2025 6:34 pm

The biggest con is that the stores will be tied together quite tightly and if you want a different feature for one of the countries it will be more difficult.

Unless the feature uses layouts or supports multistore - which is usually the majority.
You can also use the layout feature within the product tab.
The con would be a small investment into the odd feature that does not fall into this group, or maybe header and footer which is an easy addition.

I thank everyone who contributed to this post and I have benefited a lot from the dialogue and counter-dialogue.
I always say that the OpenCart Community is rich with his people.

Ahmed-E-Shop wrote: ↑

Tue May 20, 2025 7:45 pm

I thank everyone who contributed to this post and I have benefited a lot from the dialogue and counter-dialogue.
I always say that the OpenCart Community is rich with his people.

Updated :

I reopened this topic again, hoping it would be useful to everyone, and to myself as well, to understand the topic in a practical way.
I wanted to test it practically before implementing it on my main store.
I installed a copy on a subdomain, and the store is working fine on the default template.

I followed the steps shown in the videos and created another store, but I think there's something wrong with the settings or I make some mistakes and I couldn't figure it out.

When I open the store 2 , only the index of / cgi-bin appears

The tree of file manager:

/home/(abcde)
+public_html/
+de.mydomain.com/ (here is the opencart installation file) (Is working well )
+te.de.mydomain.com/ (the cgi-bin folder is only visible when I open the store 2 in browser )

Meaning:
I create another subdomain te.de.mydomain.com, and it should be the second store. ( Pic attahed )

What was the problem, or what settings are needed for the second store to appear ?

Thanks for help

All new topics should be opened as a new topic. This is a new question asking how to set up subdomains and multi store. This may relate to your original question but for the purpose of this forum it is a completely different question.

Nevertheless ..
Setting up multi stores in Opencart has been asked and answered many times - maybe this one will help -
viewtopic.php?t=136120

You can also search google.
I personally have never seen or tried to set up a subdomain of a subdomain of a main domain. And I personally would not advise it. For a start it looks wrong and suspicious - not great if you are hoping to have someone trust you with a credit card.

You set up subdomains with your host not by just adding files and folders.

If you are having problems with setting up a multi store after checking - please open a new thread.
However I advise you check you have done it correctly with your host and checked google / the forum first.

by mona wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 6:53 am

All new topics should be opened as a new topic. This is a new question asking how to set up subdomains and multi store. This may relate to your original question but for the purpose of this forum it is a completely different question.

I will take this into consideration later ISA

Nevertheless ..
Setting up multi stores in Opencart has been asked and answered many times - maybe this one will help -
viewtopic.php?t=136120
You can also search google.

In my opinion, after searching, I did not find latest topics that cover my points from all its aspects and are organized so that everyone can benefit from it , although your mentioned link contains good information

I personally have never seen or tried to set up a subdomain of a subdomain of a main domain. And I personally would not advise it. For a start it looks wrong and suspicious - not great if you are hoping to have someone trust you with a credit card.

I mentioned that I am experimenting and its risky because the one available to me currently is another online server with a website is currently working in the home directory , less important than my store. so, i tested in a subdomain and I do not want to waste time experimenting offline

You set up subdomains with your host not by just adding files and folders.

Of course, what I mentioned is not adding folders but really subdomains

If you are having problems with setting up a multi store after checking - please open a new thread.
However I advise you check you have done it correctly with your host and checked google / the forum first.

Thank you, your discussions are always very fruitful and useful to others, and I benefit greatly from you. The problem has been solved, and OpenCart works well with subdomains as i steps described previously. The experience has been fruitful. I may share a complete, organized, and detailed experience with multiple stores when I have time and also when I learn all the hidden points.