Product Category URL

[Gwiazda]

Is it possible to (re)define the product category URL to be something more meaningful? I can probably do it using Cpanel redirects but that can sometimes cause problems of the "too many redirects" variety, so I was hoping it might be possible within Zencart. E.g, if I have top level www.mystore.com/shop and I want to easily direct my customers to a product category for face masks. If I'm online I can look it up, but if I'm speaking to someone in person I'm unlikely to remember the convoluted default URL off the top of my head and having something like www.mystore.com/shop/facemasks would be very useful.
Is this currently possible? If not, can it be added at category level?

[DannyVarley]

Currently, I believe with the out of the cart Zencart this is not possible and you will need to install a plugin to handle the URLs. I personally recommend CEON URI mappings:

https://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=2250 (Currently only supports 1.5.6 but looks like people have it working on 1.5.7)

This will allow you to specify the URLs exactly as you need. You can specify your own or let them auto-generate when you add new products.

Please note although I have been using Zencart for years now I am not a professional so please take a look into the module and decide if this is for you as it does get quite involved. Even though CEONs add ons have always been super easy for me. Also there are other URL generators so you are welcome to take a look to make an informed decision.

[dbltoe]

At the risk of causing a storm of controversy, my recommendation is to send them to your site and have them enter facemasks in the search. If you use Instant Search, they will get there quickly.

Presenting it to the customer as "We have so many masks. Just head over to OurStore.com and use the search feature. Entering face will get you there quickly" Something like that.

I've just heard fewer horror stories from this scenario than from trying to "pretty the pig." Template changes, upgrades, mod installations, etc can result in disaster.

I've yet to be convinced of an advantage, other than perhaps the store owner's feeling better.

[torvista]

I've yet to be convinced of an advantage, other than perhaps the store owner's feeling better.

To paraphrase this, having friendly urls makes the shopowner feel better, as the page address is human-readable instead of being some computer-babble like yoursite/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=115

It makes NO different to search results and adds a complex mod to your site with the potential for much head-scratching at some point when it doesn't work.
I kept Ceon URI Mapping on it's feet for quite some time when php issues arose and there was no support (there is now). I scratched all my hair off.

I still use it as the links look better when pasted in emails and I think that maybe customers feel its an expected thing on an ecommerce site. However, what I imagine about what customers feel is very shaky ground to add a complex mod.

So, as with all mods, don't install it unless someone apart from you agrees it's completely essential!

[DrByte]

Yes you *can* do it in cPanel.

But if you just want a simple friendly redirect for a single category, a redirect in .htaccess is easy.

What's complicated is that your store is in a subdirectory, so you will need to adapt the following due to your situation.

RewriteEngine On
Redirect 301 /facemasks https://mysite.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3_10

Change the 3_10 to whatever your actual category is.

Remember, Zen Cart does NOT have/need/provide a .htaccess file in your Zen Cart directory (you said your directory is /shop).
So, if you need one for this redirect purpose, you can create it for yourself. It's just a text file, and only needs to contain the above lines.
You might already have one in the directory above your /shop/ directory, in which case you could just edit that one and add these lines to it.
Your hosting company can help you with redirect rules as they pertain to your hosting account.