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Meta Tags For Your osC Shop


toyicebear

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Yes, you can reinvent the wheel if you want. I'm not sure why you would want to do that though.

 

No..its not about reinventing the wheel..its about making it easy for newbees..... There are countless posts from people who have tried to install, the header tags but not suceeded.....

 

Fill tags can be handled in a different way but to what purpose? One of the ideas of all of these contributions is to make life easier for us. Fill tags is one of the tools that does that. By adding seaprate code to do it, you take away some of that functionality. That is the way it worked three years ago. Why go backward?

 

Easy and fast install , no need to rember to go and fill in tags upon importing new products/categories....

 

I still fail to see what the size of the database has to do with anything.

 

If the size is big , well most if not will use the fill tags functions..and then what is the point of installing an elaborate system which you do not actually use?

 

What does surprise me is that you have not mentioned on of the key strenghts of the Header Tags contrib, the abilety to add category description which is visible on the category/sub category pages......

 

And also it might be worth mentioning that Header Tags seems to have forgotten about manefacturer metas.....

 

Last but not leased the metas is getting more and more redundant , while content is getting more and more important....the point being its more important to foccus on your pages actual content than spending time agonizing over metas.

 

Its very important to remeber that installing a meta tags contrib and/or seo url contrib is not going to make your site traffic soar by itself....they are only part of a larger startegy to gain search engine ranking and traffic.

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The most flexibel meta tags contribution for oscommerce is the Header Tags Controller contribution , but it is not for all.

 

- It requires some level of competence to install.

- It also requires competence in regards to meta tags optimization to make use of it fully.

- If you have a large inventory it will take you/your employes quite a lot of time to optimize all the products and categories fully.

 

But if you have/have access to all of the above it is a very good tool.

 

The best compromize meta tags contribution for oscommerce is the cdynamic meta tags.

 

It generates all the meta tags automatically, can be set to cache the result for less use of server resources, its also a very easy one to install.

 

If you want to have good and functional metas but do not want to spend time optimizing every single product and/or category this might be the one for you. (Also if you want good meta tags and do not know much about meta tags optimization , this one will create them automatically for you)

 

 

I did also whip up a small easy drop over met tags contribution, Basic Meta Tags

 

This one is mainly for those who have an unmodified oscommerce and do not want to do file edits themselves..... With Basic Meta Tags , you just upload and overwrite the existing files and you are finished.

 

This is the latest version:

 

Basic Meta Tags 1.1

 

This version differs from version 1.0 by extending the meta tags aswell as adding visible on page elements.

 

NEW:

 

- The product info page will also show the products manefacturer.

- The product meta keywords now include: product name, product model, manefacturer/brand

- The product meta description is now an extract of the products visible description.

- The category or manefacturer name will show instead of "What's new here" in the category/sub-category and manefacturer pages.

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No..its not about reinventing the wheel..its about making it easy for newbees..... There are countless posts from people who have tried to install, the header tags but not suceeded.....
I agree, but there is nothing to be done about this that I can see. There's always a cost to pay for extra features.
Easy and fast install , no need to rember to go and fill in tags upon importing new products/categories....

If the size is big , well most if not will use the fill tags functions..and then what is the point of installing an elaborate system which you do not actually use?

The next version, due out in a week or two, will automatically fill in the tags as the category or product is added.
What does surprise me is that you have not mentioned on of the key strenghts of the Header Tags contrib, the abilety to add category description which is visible on the category/sub category pages......
My intention wasn't to post a "mine is better than yours" reply. I was simply replying to a few points. cDynamic Meta Tags has its strengths and should be looked at when setting up a shop.
And also it might be worth mentioning that Header Tags seems to have forgotten about manefacturer metas.....
Already in the next version.
Last but not leased the metas is getting more and more redundant , while content is getting more and more important....the point being its more important to foccus on your pages actual content than spending time agonizing over metas.

 

Its very important to remeber that installing a meta tags contrib and/or seo url contrib is not going to make your site traffic soar by itself....they are only part of a larger startegy to gain search engine ranking and traffic.

I couldn't agree more and anyone reading my posts on the subject of SEO will find I mention that almost everytime. Header Tags, or cDynamic Tags, will make a big improvment as far as getting your products listed well. But that is only the first step.

 

Jack

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For Hire: Contact me for anything you need help with for your shop: upgrading, hosting, repairs, code written, etc.

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I did this for myself, if it helps

 

Adds dynamic page titles and meta info to osCommerce based on the existing breadcrumb so no extra queries.

 

Replace <title></title> with ..

 

<?php include(DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'meta_info.php'); ?>

 

 

create a file called meta_info.php and place in catalog>includes.

 

File contains the following: -

 

<?php
/*
 $Id: meta_info.php,v 1.280 2003/07/12 09:38:07 hpdl Exp $

 osCommerce, Open Source E-Commerce Solutions
 http://www.oscommerce.com

 Copyright (c) 2003 osCommerce

 Released under the GNU General Public License
*/
/**********************************************
Modifications by ...
Robert Fisher aka Thunderace
**********************************************/

// This file uses the breadcrumb class to create SEO friendly page titles
$title = '';
$meta_description = '';
$meta_keywords = '';
$count = count($breadcrumb->_trail);
for ($i=0; $i<($count); $i++)
{
 if ($breadcrumb->_trail[$i]['title'] != HEADER_TITLE_TOP && $breadcrumb->_trail[$i]['title'] != HEADER_TITLE_CATALOG)
 {
 $title .= $breadcrumb->_trail[$i]['title'] . ' | ';
 $meta_description .= $breadcrumb->_trail[$i]['title'] . ' | ';
 $meta_keywords .= $breadcrumb->_trail[$i]['title'] . ', ';
 if ($i == ($count-1))
 {
 //$shop_name is hardcoded if you wish to add your shop name to the end of <title> and meta info
 $shop_name = 'My Shop';
 $title .= $shop_name;
 $meta_description .= $shop_name;
 $meta_keywords .= $shop_name;
 }
 }
 }
 if ($title == '') {
//below are hardcoded to show meta info when no breadcrumb exists
$title = 'My standard shop title';
$meta_description = 'My standard shop description';
$meta_keywords = 'My standard shop keywords';
 }
 //Display <title> and meta info
 echo '<title>' . $title . '</title>' . "\n";
 echo '<meta name="description" content="' . $meta_description . '" />' . "\n";
 echo '<meta name="keywords" content="' . $meta_keywords . '" />' . "\n";
 ?>

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I did this for myself, if it helps

 

Adds dynamic page titles and meta info to osCommerce based on the existing breadcrumb so no extra queries.

 

Replace <title></title> with ..

 

<?php include(DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'meta_info.php'); ?>

create a file called meta_info.php and place in catalog>includes.

 

File contains the following: -

 

<?php
/*
 $Id: meta_info.php,v 1.280 2003/07/12 09:38:07 hpdl Exp $

 osCommerce, Open Source E-Commerce Solutions
 http://www.oscommerce.com

 Copyright (c) 2003 osCommerce

 Released under the GNU General Public License
*/
/**********************************************
Modifications by ...
Robert Fisher aka Thunderace
**********************************************/

// This file uses the breadcrumb class to create SEO friendly page titles
$title = '';
$meta_description = '';
$meta_keywords = '';
$count = count($breadcrumb->_trail);
for ($i=0; $i<($count); $i++)
{
 if ($breadcrumb->_trail[$i]['title'] != HEADER_TITLE_TOP && $breadcrumb->_trail[$i]['title'] != HEADER_TITLE_CATALOG)
 {
 $title .= $breadcrumb->_trail[$i]['title'] . ' | ';
 $meta_description .= $breadcrumb->_trail[$i]['title'] . ' | ';
 $meta_keywords .= $breadcrumb->_trail[$i]['title'] . ', ';
 if ($i == ($count-1))
 {
 //$shop_name is hardcoded if you wish to add your shop name to the end of <title> and meta info
 $shop_name = 'My Shop';
 $title .= $shop_name;
 $meta_description .= $shop_name;
 $meta_keywords .= $shop_name;
 }
 }
 }
 if ($title == '') {
//below are hardcoded to show meta info when no breadcrumb exists
$title = 'My standard shop title';
$meta_description = 'My standard shop description';
$meta_keywords = 'My standard shop keywords';
 }
 //Display <title> and meta info
 echo '<title>' . $title . '</title>' . "\n";
 echo '<meta name="description" content="' . $meta_description . '" />' . "\n";
 echo '<meta name="keywords" content="' . $meta_keywords . '" />' . "\n";
 ?>

 

A greate TIP...and it works on all osc pages, bothe the dynamic and the static ones.

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I agree, but there is nothing to be done about this that I can see. There's always a cost to pay for extra features.The next version, due out in a week or two, will automatically fill in the tags as the category or product is added.My intention wasn't to post a "mine is better than yours" reply. I was simply replying to a few points. cDynamic Meta Tags has its strengths and should be looked at when setting up a shop.Already in the next version. I couldn't agree more and anyone reading my posts on the subject of SEO will find I mention that almost everytime. Header Tags, or cDynamic Tags, will make a big improvment as far as getting your products listed well. But that is only the first step.

 

Jack

 

Give me a nudge when the next version is out and i will give it a test run... B)

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Hi,

 

I have made a big mistake...

 

i first began with installing it true the database_setup, and i made a mistake (Install_Catalog) by uploading the header.sql in phpmyadmin in importing file in database. now i am getting this error on this page:

 

http://coolpersia.com/coolshop/catalog/database_setup.php

 

Looks like Header Tags is already installed. Aborting...

 

how can i remove it and start all over again? i want to install it with database_setup.php

 

i really hope someone can help me out,

 

thanks in advance,

 

saman

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Well the DB code that header tags needs is already installed in your DB.

 

Either use it and just upload the files or have a look at the install.sql and remove the tables it adds and start again.

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Thank you very much for the fast reply,

 

I am really not so familiar with this, i can't find anything where it says how to remove it or start again (sorry if i am being blind).

 

can't find install.sql either.

 

Would you please explain to me step by step what to do? (i am really not good at this)

 

I do appreciate your help, thanks

 

saman

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install.sql was a generic comment, the mods that you install will often have a file called "something".sql or an sql command in the instructions which needs to be installed to your database.

 

Recheck the mods you have installed and apply any DB mods that they require (I'm assuming that you will check your DB first to see if they are there).

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I have searched evertything but i couldn't find a file which is called header.sql, but it's weird i am getting this : Looks like Header Tags is already installed. Aborting...

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In the Header Tag Control package there is a folder called Database_Files the SQL files are in there.

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Thanks for the reply again.

 

i know that there is an folder called Database_Files the SQL .

 

i have done the next (don't know if i have done the right thing):

 

1. i went to phpmyadmin

2. after i logged in, i clicked on import (MySQL)

3. i browsed the file (header.sql) and uploaded it.

 

but before that i have uploaded database_setup.php to the right directory and everything went well. my mistake was that after that i also uploaded header.sql

 

after that when i went to http://coolpersia.com/coolshop/catalog/database_setup.php

 

and i saw this: Looks like Header Tags is already installed. Aborting...

 

and after that it all began...

i have searched but couldn't find the file to delete it and start all over.

 

now, is there any chance to continue like this (and follow the steps in the Install_Catalog) or should i begin over again?

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Installing the database changes only needs to be done once. You are trying to do it twice. Move on to the next instruction ans you should be OK.

 

Jack

Support Links:

For Hire: Contact me for anything you need help with for your shop: upgrading, hosting, repairs, code written, etc.

Get the latest versions of my addons

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  • 6 months later...

I have dynamic header tags controller installed. if I installed the manual header tags contribution http://www.oscommerce.com/community/contributions,207

 

would I have to disable dynamic header tags controller...in general which one is better? Ofcourse dynamic is easy to work with.

 

Also, does "seo metatags" mod offer any additional benefits?

 

Thank you

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You can only use one of the contributions at a time. Some people prefer cDynamic and others Header Tags. Of those two, Header Tags is the most optimized for the search engines (last time I looked) and that really is the whole point. I haven't looked at the others in a while but the last time I did, they were just cut down versions of Header Tags. There is a reson Header Tags is so large and that it gives such strong results. It is really the only choice, in my opinion, of course.

 

Jack

Support Links:

For Hire: Contact me for anything you need help with for your shop: upgrading, hosting, repairs, code written, etc.

Get the latest versions of my addons

Recommended SEO Addons

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You can only use one of the contributions at a time. Some people prefer cDynamic and others Header Tags. Of those two, Header Tags is the most optimized for the search engines (last time I looked) and that really is the whole point. I haven't looked at the others in a while but the last time I did, they were just cut down versions of Header Tags. There is a reson Header Tags is so large and that it gives such strong results. It is really the only choice, in my opinion, of course.

 

Jack

 

Jack,

Thanks for quick response.Do I need to uninstall dynamic header tags mode before I install manual header tags contribution.

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I installed the header tag controller and it seems to be working fine. I manually updated the files since I had made changes, most were your basics for design posts, and a few others from contributions.

 

After header tag contoller install, when I try to open "catalog" within the admin section I get this error:

 

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_CASE in /data/6/0/146/133/472948/user/481882/htdocs/misfit/admin/categories.php on line 1000

 

 

line 1000 case 'edit_category':

line 1001 $heading[] = array('text' => '<b>' . TEXT_INFO_HEADING_EDIT_CATEGORY . '</b>');

 

 

Everything else seems to be working fine. I looked around and not sure what the problem is. Could not locate any info in forum on this.

 

By the way your Basics for design posts are wonderful, Great job, Great results, thank you!

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The error means there is a mistake in the admin/categories.php file. You can compare the included one to find the error. You can look in the Header Tags support thread for how to do that.

 

Jack

Support Links:

For Hire: Contact me for anything you need help with for your shop: upgrading, hosting, repairs, code written, etc.

Get the latest versions of my addons

Recommended SEO Addons

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have had Header Tags installed for a few months now ... was the 3rd contrib I installed. Yes, it was a long one ... being still very novice at the time, it took me over 2 hours, but I believe I had no errors after the install.

 

I already had over 300 products loaded, so it was a tad daunting going back through each of those products and filling in the header page title, description, and keywords as I desired. But it was worth it.

 

I'm not sure if there is a correlation or not, but after doing this, the bots came to my site for indexing faster and more often.

 

The Header Tags should be standard to the core Osc cart ... just my opinion.

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  • 3 weeks later...

If you install Header Tags, you will have to remove cDynamic Meta Tags (and vice versa) since they both change the same code and only one can be active. As for which is better, if you read through this thread, you will see arguments for both. I personally think Header Tags provides more SEO benefits than the others but there are others who disagree. By the way, if you are looking for "easy," then try one of the other meta tags contributions. They install very easy but are just scaled down versions of Header Tags, which should tell you something in itself.

 

Jack

Support Links:

For Hire: Contact me for anything you need help with for your shop: upgrading, hosting, repairs, code written, etc.

Get the latest versions of my addons

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I started another topic (ended up answering my own questions) about the breadcrumb trail and meta tags. here

 

This works very well for me and I had over 400 pages index with the new meta tags in just a couple days. My sales and hits on this site have increased tremendously!

 

I also used this info: here to put a 301 header in to signal the search engines to remove the old entry in the index and replace it with the new one.

 

I've added the Google xml sitemap feed and setup google sitemaps for my site and it is doing its job well.

 

I've also updated my robots.txt file to exclude the popup image pages and some other osc pages which I didnt want shown in the search index.

 

Seems to be working very well for my vintage media site and all it took were some code changes.

 

I just thought anyone searching for all of these soultions could use a place to find them all in one post. :blush:

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I started another topic (ended up answering my own questions) about the breadcrumb trail and meta tags. here

 

This works very well for me and I had over 400 pages index with the new meta tags in just a couple days. My sales and hits on this site have increased tremendously!

 

I also used this info: here to put a 301 header in to signal the search engines to remove the old entry in the index and replace it with the new one.

 

I've added the Google xml sitemap feed and setup google sitemaps for my site and it is doing its job well.

 

I've also updated my robots.txt file to exclude the popup image pages and some other osc pages which I didnt want shown in the search index.

 

Seems to be working very well for my vintage media site and all it took were some code changes.

 

I just thought anyone searching for all of these soultions could use a place to find them all in one post. :blush:

 

Glad someone appreciates and is using it ;)

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I have tried the Basic Meta Tags contribution as I thought this should be perfect for me. Worked fine on the product_info page but when I tried the modifications on the index page everything went wrong. The problem I think is that I have already modified the index page and the header is not more the usual "Lets see what we have here".

I have tried to figure out how to modify the contribution to my site but not succeeded. I have also tried both variants of the contribution but the result was the same.

So my question is really, is there an even more simple solution to get header tags on the index pages? Something that take advantage of the already modified header maybe.

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