Shorter version of the URL

[CaroleAs]

This might be a long shot, but I am giving it a try.

I am in the process of writing a book and would like to refer to some of my products in the store. Since the book is meant to be printed (yes, on paper), links are really kind of... complicated to include. Is there a way to provide a shorter link to some of the products in my Zencart store without having to use other services like Bitly or such?

I am assuming not, but I am taking a chance.

[simon1066]

Not sure if this is what you want but for print media I include something like this in my .htaccess file

Redirect 301 /tshirt1 https://mywebsite.com/clothes/tshirts/tshirt1

This redirects https://mywebsite.com/clothes/tshirts/tshirt1 to https://mywebsite.com/tshirt1

This shortens it somewhat although I'm not looking to shorten the domain name. I use a URI rewriter but I suspect it will work with ZC native URL's.

[CaroleAs]

Oh that is interesting. It might be enough for me. I don't plan on shortening my domain either. I have an associated blog where I can use PrettyLinks, but i would be stuck having to include /blog/ in the URL, which is kind of misleading. But this might be just what i need.
Thanks.

[CaroleAs]

Now that I am at that point in the book writing, I have a simplistic question: where is the .htaccess file? Or is it possible there isn't any yet?

[mc12345678]

Now that I am at that point in the book writing, I have a simplistic question: where is the .htaccess file? Or is it possible there isn't any yet?

The .htaccess needed to support this typically would need to be added to the root of the store/domain as ZC does not need one it does not exist as part of the installation.

It will need to be added.

[CaroleAs]

Thank you!

[mc12345678]

If you use an htaccess file at the root of your store, you could provide a link as short as the domain name of your store, a slash, and a single character. Then in your htaccess you would have to forward that to your preferred product/location.

Otherwise, if you still find the dynamic uris "too long" for a location: 'index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=x' then you may want to consider a uri rewriter. There are two recommended ones: Ceon URI Mappings and Ultimate SEO URIs. With Ceon you could use whatever you want in print and still have a normal preferred address. With USU the address can be shortened down to the product and/or category id's for the most part: '/-c-x/-p-y' and not include any text about the item/product.