Jack_mcs

A common question on the oscommerce forums is "What SEO contributions should I install." What I've noticed is that most of the replies to such posts are from people that don't understand SEO. They are just parroting what they've seen elsewhere. One person actually stated something like, "Everyone I know does it this way..." which, I suspose, is meant to imply that is the correct way. Unfortunately, many times the advice used is that which is offered by the one shouting the loudest, regardless of if that advice is sound or not. So I thought I would put this list together to provide the best SEO recommendations for an oscommerce shop. I do SEO for a living and have had excellent results using these contributions.

Here is a list of all SEO contributions that I recommend.

Header Tags SEO - This is the standard that all other meta tags contributions are judged against. The main, and only, advantage the other meta tags contributions have over this one is that they are easier to install. Persoanlly, I can't beleieve someone that recommends such an important change would recommend it based upon how easy it is to install. The bottom line is that if you want the best results for your shop, this is the only choice. But if you are looking for easy and quick, then choose any of the other meta tags contributions since they are all basically the same.

Ultimate SEO V2.2d - The original and still the best rewriter available for oscommerce. It is not only 100% compatible with all other contributions, it provides the best rewritten urls with regards to SEO. One contribution actually inserts the category name as a directory, which is a very bad SEO practice.

Google XML Sitemap SEO - Provides site maps that the search engines use.

Sitemap SEO - Provides a site map for your customers as well as the search engines.

All Products SEO - Provides a products site map for both customers and the search engines.

Google Feeder - The only way to get your products listed on googles shopping section.

Links Manager - Contrary to what many others on the forums state, link exchanges are still a valid way to improve a sites Page Rank. The exchanges have to be handled correctly, of course, and this is the only contribution that does that.

Click on the Add On tab for links to the above contributions.