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Compatibility: PHP5.2+
Like everything else in SEO meta tags have shrunk in importance (except the title which is still very important), however we all except that we still need them. There are many meta/header tag contributions available so why another one?
I have always used cDynamic meta tags which is now very old, the contributions out there are either too simplistic or far too complicated (The KISS part of the name is from the well known saying "Keep It Simple Stupid!") so I felt there is room for one which is extremely simple to install on a new or modded shop and which doesn't overcomplicate what is after all a relatively simple thing, but .. which will auto generate meaningful meta tags output.
Installation:
Like everything I produce I try to keep installation simple and where possible changes to core osCommerce files to a minimum, this is no exception. Other than changing: -
<title><?php echo TITLE; ?></title>
To ..
<?php include_once DIR_WS_MODULES . 'kiss_meta_tags/kiss_meta_tags.php'; ?>
in the catalog files; there are no changes to osCommerce AT ALL. Installation can therefore be measured in minutes or even seconds and no conflicts guaranteed. (other meta tag contributions may have already changed the <title></title> but this is the only possible conflict). There is also no database install.
Ease of use and dynamic ability:
Some people don't want or have the time to intricately set up each osCommerce page, KissMT does it dynamically. Every single catalog file where you swap out the <title></title> for the KissMT code will produce meta tags automatically with no input from you.
Different handling for certain pages:
Obviously some pages require more attention by KissMT than others .. the prime examples are index.php (which handles categories, category product listings, manufacturers listings, and product_info.php which handles the all important products.
For these types of pages KissMT has modules, simply put if there is a file in "modules" with the same name as the page being loaded then KissMT will use these files to generate the meta tags.
I'll give just two examples here from the stock osCommerce RC2a install:
1) category: www.mysite.com/index.php?cPath=3_10
Title:
Action - DVD Movies
Description:
Action, DVD Movies. The Replacement Killers,The Matrix,Under Siege,Under Siege 2 - Dark Territory,Fire Down Below,Die Hard With A Vengeance,Lethal Weapon,Speed,Speed 2 Cruise Control.
Keywords: action,dvd,movies,replacement,killers,matrix,siege,dark,territory,fire,die,hard,vengeance,lethal,weapon,speed,cruise,control
2) Product: www.mysite.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_10&products_id=4
Title:
The Replacement Killers - DVD-RPMK - Action - DVD Movies - by Microsoft
Description:
The Replacement Killers, DVD-RPMK, Action, DVD Movies, by Microsoft. Regional Code 2 Japan, Europe, Middle East, South Africa . Languages English, Deutsch. Subtitles English, Deutsch, Spanish. Audio Dolby Surround 5.1. Picture Format 16 9 Wide-Screen. Length approx 80 minutes. Other Interactive Menus, Chapter Selection, Subtitles more languages ..
Keywords:
replacement,killers,dvd-rpmk,action,dvd,movies,microsoft,regional,code,japan,europe,middle,east,south,africa,languages,english,deutsch,subtitles,spanish,audio,dolby,surround,picture,format,wide-screen,minutes,interactive,menus,chapter,selection
Pages that have modules:
index.php, product_info.php, specials.php, new_products.php. Modules can be added e.g. for information pages, articles, newsletters, faq desk etc.
Other pages that will just use HEADING_TITLE or the filename:
conditions.php, privacy.php, advanced_search.php, advanced_search_result.php etc. etc.
Multi language:
Multi language capable as standard. The "stop words" (words to remove from the keywords .. like "a" "of" "the" etc.) are language specific so there would be e.g. stopwords for English and perhaps German and Spanish and so on to ensure the keywords are unpolluted by irrelevant stop words.
Queries - efficiency and shop size:
I have chosen for KissMT to run a query instead of using the values already loaded by osCommerce, the reasoning behind this is simply that to do this any other way would have meant multiple changes to osCommerce files which I was keen to avoid. When a page loads for the first time KissMT will run the relevant query to gain its values, but after this the values are cached. Therefore once all pages have been loaded KissMT uses no queries whatsoever it just has to load a 1kb/2kb file .. very fast .. very efficient. Even the largest of shops won't notice it is there.
Future development:
I intend the contribution to be in two distinct parts:
1) As above, a ridiculously easy to install dynamic system which can be installed standalone, without any of the below.
2) Optional additons which will require file changes, these will be likely to include: -
- The ability to specifically set the meta info for pages via admin.
- Additions of category text/manufacturers text which could/would override the dynamic tags.
- Admin settings
What I will not be adding:
I will not be adding any seo tools like keyword density etc. It is my opinion that if you are serious about your seo then you should be using the plethora of specifically designed seo analysis tools that are available on the web. Most of these are far more capable and complex than anything that could be incorporated into a meta tag contribution. You should know if the words in your title tag appear on your page and whether your key words are in <h1> <h2> tags on the page and not just in divs or tds. The 2) options would allow users to specifically set tags if required.
Fancy helping by testing?
The dynamic system is in the beta test phase, if anyone would like/is willing to beta test this then please post here and I will send you the initial package when it is ready (next few days).
When people beta test it helps me greatly in producing a more solid initial offering .. one tester i.e. me is just not good enough.
I would also appreciate any comments here about the concept and what you feel should or shouldn't be included.
Edited by FWR Media, 13 December 2009, 12:36.
