Must-Have Add-Ons?

[Berserker]

Hello,

Just wondering what are the must have Zen-Cart add ons apart from...

Image Handler 2
Tabbed Products Pro
Ceon URI/SSU or any SEO module
Fast and Easy Checkout
Cross Sell

All the best...

[schoolboy]

I would strike SEO mods off this list and put SitemapsXML by Andrew Berezin in there instead.

SEO modules are no longer necessary.

[gjh42]

There is no such thing as "the" must-have addons. Everyone's list will be a bit different as their specific needs differ. Someone with a small image list may not need IH2 and prefer the image filenames kept as they created them. The "tabbed" layout is likewise not appropriate for all sites.

[Berserker]

Why are SEO modules no longer necessary?
Ok, maybe not must have but what are the add ons that helps or makes it easier to run/manage the site...

[schoolboy]

Why are SEO modules no longer necessary?
Ok, maybe not must have but what are the add ons that helps or makes it easier to run/manage the site...

Search Engines (the important ones) now prefer that the dynamic URL is retained. There has been a lot of discussion about this over the last 4 years, but if the site software is well-built, then SE's will have no trouble following a dynamic URL and indexing it properly. Zencart is such software.

Some "SEO modules" may actually do more harm than good. If they are not extremely well constructed, and function perfectly, you can risk creating "duplicate" URL's, and therefore "spoof" a SE into thinking that you have duplicate content - for which there are penalties.

I have built over 100 zencart sites and NEVER ever used any of these so-called "SEO modules". And (through proper, detailed and focused SEO) some of my clients enjoy significant prominence on SERPS for critically important keywords.

As Glenn points out, no mods are "essential" - but I would argue that there is a lot to be gained from SitemapsXML - as this dovetails with the major SE's indexing preferences and allows fro efficient management of your relationship with the SE's...

This has to be infinitely more advantageous than any SEO module...

[stevesh]

My list:

Master Password
Save Sidebox Settings as Default
Fast and Easy Checkout
I'd agree with schoolboy about the XML Sitemaps
Image Handler, if you have enough images