MultiSite Module Support Thread

[shags38]

Hello all - I am keen to use MultiSite however I would like to get some clarification on the following please ; (I have read a number of pages in the thread however not the entire 155 pages

So some help with the following would be very much appreciated.

1. what are the SEO implications with Google as far as "Duplicate Content" is concerned? I would not like to see the original main site be penalized because of duplicating the site under other URL's. Does anyone have any experience with this or comment/advice?

2. does this work with Snap Affiliate add-on module? any known issues or code modifications required?

3. does this work with Hidden Wholesale and Dual Pricing - Wholesale Pricing add-on modules? any known issues or code modifications required?

4. is it possible to allocate a SEPARATE PayPal account to each duplicated site ?? (establishing separate PayPal accounts allows for individual site name in the shopping cart, on invoices, receipts etc.) - I see this as desirable to differentiate sites as far as customers are concerned.

5. can templates be different for each site (colors, boxes layout etc) ???

6. can Specials, Featured Products etc be made different on each site?

Cheers,
Mike

[yapliren]

1. what are the SEO implications with Google as far as "Duplicate Content" is concerned? I would not like to see the original main site be penalized because of duplicating the site under other URL's. Does anyone have any experience with this or comment/advice?

If under same domain as sub directory, no problem. If different domains, yes, same content will hurt your original site. It would be best to modify your content if you are on different domains.


2. does this work with Snap Affiliate add-on module? any known issues or code modifications required?
Yes, work up to 1.3.9


3. does this work with Hidden Wholesale and Dual Pricing - Wholesale Pricing add-on modules? any known issues or code modifications required?
Work, no problem


4. is it possible to allocate a SEPARATE PayPal account to each duplicated site ?? (establishing separate PayPal accounts allows for individual site name in the shopping cart, on invoices, receipts etc.) - I see this as desirable to differentiate sites as far as customers are concerned.
Not likely, maybe you can work on different paypal Page Style, no idea does it work

5. can templates be different for each site (colors, boxes layout etc) ???
Confirm, yes you can have different template, different CSS on each site. that's the beautiful of multisite

6. can Specials, Featured Products etc be made different on each site?
Yes, base on your selection to display of categories.


I hope that some one could tweak and make a fully working one for 1.5.0
Thank you and just my 2 cents

[bcannon007]

Hello,
I am running Zencart 1.5
Would anyone be interested in installing this module for me and walking me through the process of adding additional sites since I will be adding sites on a continual bases. Here are some more details on what I need to accomplish:

I know this can be done I just don't have the time or patients to deal with it right now.

Here is what I am looking for...

THE MUST HAVES:

1) One Parent Store and several Child or Affiliate Stores.
When a new affiliate store is setup, all Categories, Subcategories, Products, Attributes, and Images will be populated from the Parent Store.

2) Whenever a product is added, subtracted, or changed in any way in the Parent Store, ALL Affiliate Stores are automatically updated as well.

3) Orders placed through an Affiliate Store will come directly to the Parent Store with an indication of which Affiliate Store they came from.

4) One SSL Certificate to be used for all stores.

5) One Merchant Account to be used for all stores.

6) Affiliate stores can be customized to desired look and feel.

7) Affiliate Stores will be setup on the Parent Stores domain. Not sure what the best approach is for this yet... As a file folder: (www.ParentStore.com/Affiliate1) or as a sub-domain: (Afilliate1.www.MyStore.com) or (any better suggestion) ? Could use a little input on this one.

8) I am also thinking about using "Store Manager for Zen Cart" but have not tried the demo version yet. Do you have any experience or knowledge of this program.

9) Gift Certificates are important and must be used only in the store they are purchased from.

WISH LIST:

10) A record of all affiliate transactions - customers and orders, is kept in a secure place for the affiliate to login and see. This is a view only file with no admin privileges other than report printing.

11) Featured Products, Specials, and New Products for ALL Affiliate Stores are controlled through the Parent Stores Admin Interface. One thought would be that if changes are made in the Parent Store, we can have a check box "update affiliate1, affiliate2, affiliate3 or all affiliates"?

12) Parent Store and Affiliate Stores can have different pricing?

13) It would be very useful if we could send out a single marketing campaign to all affiliate stores customers with individual store branding. i.e. from email & address information.

NOTE: Affiliate Stores will be added on a continual bases, thus we need a simple user interface for adding new Affiliate Stores and populating categories and products.

Please let me know if this is something you could setup for me and at what cost?

Peace.

[bcannon007]

Can someone tell me how to do step 2 of the Multi Site Module.

Step 2. Execute SQL

In order to know which site orders originate from, it is necessary to add the column ‘order_site’ to
the ‘Orders’ Table.

To achieve this run the following SQL command:
ALTER TABLE orders ADD order_site varchar(30) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'no';

This is the only change that has to be made to the database structure.

IS THIS DONE IN CPANEL?

Thanks for the support,
Bill

[yapliren]

bcannon007,

Multisite is not the right module for you to setup affiliate stores. You should look for Snap affiliate in the plugin section.

Step 2 of the module mean you put in the code in Admin --> Tools --> Install SQL patches.

Can someone tell me how to do step 2 of the Multi Site Module.

Step 2. Execute SQL

In order to know which site orders originate from, it is necessary to add the column ‘order_site’ to
the ‘Orders’ Table.

To achieve this run the following SQL command:
ALTER TABLE orders ADD order_site varchar(30) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'no';

This is the only change that has to be made to the database structure.

IS THIS DONE IN CPANEL?

Thanks for the support,
Bill

[idc1]

The multisite plugin sounds great but I'm not certain it will be the right application for my needs. Any feedback you all can provide me to consider will be much appreciated. I am running ZC1.3.9h I have my main site set up with a few mods (column/grid, dual pricing).

I want to create multiple sites/copies of site 1. I want site 1, 2 , 3, etc to be the same with a few exceptions. The other site owners need to be able to handle their own customer accounts and payment processing. Ideally the other sites will pull most data from site 1's sql d-base. I would like for the other site owners to have control over pricing thus they would need to have access to a separate table or column within my d-base or maybe even another d-base. A major concern is truly preventing them from having full access to the main SQL d-base. I just need to be able to maintain the product content, flow, additions, deletions of product with one effort instead of multiple efforts.

Any relevant thoughts out there? I just saw the post about affiliate and snap affiliate plugins. I will seek these out as well.

[bcannon007]

bcannon007,

Multisite is not the right module for you to setup affiliate stores. You should look for Snap affiliate in the plugin section.

Step 2 of the module mean you put in the code in Admin --> Tools --> Install SQL patches.

Thank you yapliren - now that I have struggled trying to understand these directions for 3 days I will take a look at "Snap Affiliate".

Thanks again, Peace.

[bcannon007]

Hey Mr. Yapliren,

I looked at the Snap Affiliate Mod. It does most everything I need it to do except for two things...

1) I need the ability to log into an affiliate/satellite store using a sub-domain i.e. affiliate.mysite.com and I don't think that SNAP Affiliate is able to do this.

The reason for this is that if an affiliate/satellite store does not have a website or domain name, I could create one for them using the sub-domain.

2) I need the look and feel of the affiliate/satellite store to be independent of the Main Store.

Do you know if it is possible to do this with the Snap Affiliate Mod... or would I be better off continuing my battle with the Multi Site Mod?

Thanks for the support... Peace,
Bill

[bcannon007]

OK, assuming that the answer to my above post is not going to be favorable, I decided to move forward with the Multi Site Mod. Are you ready... Here we go...

I AM TRYING TO INSTALL THE MULTI_SITE MOD in Zen Cart v1.5.0 and after reading all 155 pages of this thread, and spending 4 fifteen hour days at it, I've just about given up.

FYI: I have just recently started working with Zen Cart. I know little to nothing about programming php script, but I am fluent in HTML, Graphic Design and really good at following directions. These directions are VERY difficult to follow. Once I figure this out I will create the "MULTI-SITE FOR DUMMIES" (MSFD) version.

For now I have many questions PLEASE HELP!

To start with I installed a copy of Zen Cart into my 'public_html directory and called it 'store1'. (folder = "public_html/store1") This is were I'm making all modifications.
(URL = mysite.com/store1).

I then created a sub domain and called it 'store2' and installed another copy of Zen Cart.
(folder = "public_html/store2") (URL = "www.store2.mysite.com").

THE DIRECTIONS:

Step 1. Backup your database and files. (No Problem, I got this one.)


Step 2. Execute SQL:
In order to know which site orders originate from, it is necessary to add the column ‘order_site’ to the ‘Orders’ Table. To achieve this run the following SQL command:
ALTER TABLE orders ADD order_site varchar(30) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'no';
This is the only change that has to be made to the database structure.

RESPONSE: (what I did and for anyone who needs help)
Copy the SQL command in the directions above.
Go to the Zen Cart Admin > 'Tools' > 'Install SQL Patches'.
Paste the SQL command into the 'Enter the query to be executed' window.
Click 'Send'. That's it, you should see a message at the top of the page '1 statement processed.'

QUESTION:
2a) Is this correct?


Step 3. Add the ‘NEW’ files.
You need first to add the extra files that you will find in the folder: 'NEW_FILES'. The files are listed below.
admin/includes/languages/english/extra_definitions/order_site.php
includes/config_sites/help.txt
includes/config_sites/sites_switch.php
includes/config_sites/www.example.com_config.php (This is only an example config file)
includes/functions/extra_functions/cat_filter.php
includes/init_includes/overrides/init_sessions.php
includes/init_includes/overrides/init_templates.php
includes/modules/sideboxes/site_links.php


QUESTION:
3a) I believe the folder is called 'ADD_FILES', not NEW_FILES?

3b) I imported all the files shown above from my Multi Site Module Download 'ADD_FILES' folder, to the corresponding directories in 'Store1'?

3c) Are the files in the directions above, the only files I'm suppose to copy over? I ask because there are many other folders/files in the Multi Site Download that do not appear to be used, I don't understand why they are there?

3d) Am I only suppose to add these files to 'Store1', or am I suppose to add them to EVERY store that interfaces/accesses the Store1 Data Base, Store1, Store2, etc?


Step 4. Add the ‘MODIFIED’ files:

QUESTION:
4a) This step I completely skipped and went directly to the 'install.txt' file that came with the Multi Site Module. i,e, ("This is the modification that you have to do if you which to apply it to a customized version of Zen-Cart.") I do not have a customized version but I am using v1.5.0 so I thought this was the way to go. Is this correct?

4b) I went through the entire .txt file and painstakingly modified every line of code they suggested except for one:

FILE includes/modules/sideboxes/reviews.php ###
Line 30:
$random_review_sidebox_product = zen_random_select($random_review_sidebox_select);
Replace by:
$random_review_sidebox_product = zen_random_select(cat_filter($random_review_sidebox_select));

This file did not exist, but does not appear to be all that important in getting this beast up and running?

4c) Again, I am not sure if I am ONLY suppose to add these files to 'Store1', or am I suppose to add them to EVERY store that interfaces/accesses the Store1 Data Base, Store 1, Store2, etc.?


Step 5: Make a Template for each site:
We assume that you already have a Zen-cart shop installed with some categories and products.
You need to have a 2nd template that will be use for your 2nd shop. You can simply copy and past the one from your folder "includes/template/[YOUR_TEMPLATE]" Or you can download some from www.zen-cart.com.
TIP: In order to make the things easy, I highly advice you to rename the template to the name of
each of your site. In this way, you will find easily the folder of the shop you want to modify...
When you rename your template's name, think of renaming every overriding folder too !
These folders should be:
includes/templates/[YOUR_TEMPLATE]
includes/languages/english/[YOUR_TEMPLATE]
includes/languages/english/extra_definitions/[YOUR_TEMPLATE]
includes/languages/english/html_includes/[YOUR_TEMPLATE]
includes/languages/english/modules/order_total/[YOUR_TEMPLATE]
includes/languages/english/modules/payment/[YOUR_TEMPLATE]
includes/languages/english/modules/shipping/[YOUR_TEMPLATE]
includes/languages/english/modules/[YOUR_TEMPLATE]
includes/languages/english/modules/sideboxes/[YOUR_TEMPLATE]
Do not use a template for two sites, otherwise, you will be obliged to have the same language files too (same shops' name and same sideboxes position).
In the includes/templates/[YOUR_TEMPLATE]/template_info.php, change the template_name to the name of your site that uses the template:
$template_name = 'mysite';
So, if your sites are called www.site1.com and www.site2.net Then your should rename your
template to site1 and site2
the file includes/templates/site1/template_info.php should have the line
$template_name = 'site1';
the file includes/templates/site2/template_info.php should have the line
$template_name = 'site2';
This will help you later in the admin section; the template selector is now only use for choose the
site for which you want to change the sidebox setting.

QUESTION:
5a) Now I'm really confused... the directions say; "You need to have a 2nd template that will be use for your 2nd shop". Does this mean I need to have a second template in the same store, 'Store1'. Or is this referring to a second template TO BE INSTALLED IN THE SECOND STORE, 'Store2'?

I totally get the renaming structure - no problem there.


Step 6. Create the configuration files of your sites.
Add this line at the beginning of your "includes/configure.php":
include_once('includes/config_sites/sites_switch.php');

QUESTION:
6a) I know it says "at the beginning" but, does it matter where I add this, line 1,2,3 etc.?

6b) Again, I am not sure if I'm ONLY suppose to add these files to 'Store1', or am I suppose to add them to EVERY store in my network; Store1, Store 2, Store 3 etc?
Or, am I suppose to add them to that new template I just created in step 5 above?

Step 6. CONTINUED:

How to change the configuration for a specific shop ?

The Zen-cart configuration is contained in the database and declared in constants at runtime.
The configuration in the admin section stands for the "default configuration". You can override this configuration by defining the constants of the setting that you want to change directly in the config file related to one of your site (folder "includes/config_sites")

You now have to create a config file for each one of your sites !

The name of the file has to be:
"www.site1.com_config.php" (for the site targeted by the domain name www.site1.com)
This file "www.site1.com_config.php" has to contain:
<?php
$template_dir = "site1";
define('SITE_NAME','site1');
?>

$template_dir is the template that you want to use for this site, SITE_NAME is the name of your site (use for the category filter and for the order page in admin; column site).

QUESTION:
6c) I'm assuming that since the first paragraph of this section leads us to the (folder "includes/config_sites") that this is where the "config file that we create will be placed. Is this correct?

6d) The directions state, "You now have to create a config file for each one of your sites". Again, were do these config files go... in the includes/config_sites folder? ALL config files on one site? ALL config files on ALL sites? Or one config file on each site - the site it was created for?

6e) Naming the config file:
For Store1, I installed a copy of Zen Cart in my 'public_html directory and called it 'store1'. (folder "public_html/store1") Link to store = (www.mysite.com/store1)

Thus, I believe my config file should be named, ("www.mystore.com_config.php") is this correct or do I need to have 'store1' in there somewhere?

6f) For Store2 I created a Sub Domain and called it 'store2'. I then installed another copy of Zen Cart in the Store2 Sub Domain. (folder "public_html/store2"). Domain name = ("www.store2.mysite.com").
So, I believe my config file should be named (www.store2.mysite.com_config.php) is this correct?

6g) The directions state that the config file needs to contain:
<?php
$template_dir = "site1";
define('SITE_NAME','site1');
?>

But after reading all 155 post, and looking at the sample file, I'm thinking that it might need a little more information than what was stated.
For my main site, Store1, I came up with...
<?php
define('DIR_WS_CATALOG', '/');
define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG', '/');
$template_dir = "store1";
define('SITE_NAME','store1');
define('HTTP_SERVER', 'http://www.mysite.com');
define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'https://www.mysite.com');
?>

And for my Sub Domain, Store2, I came up with...
<?php
define('DIR_WS_CATALOG', '/');
define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG', '/');
$template_dir = "store2";
define('SITE_NAME','store2');
define('HTTP_SERVER', 'http://www.store2.mystore.com');
define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'https://www.store2.mystore.com');
?>

Is this correct?


Step 7. Category Filter

COMMENT: Seems pretty self explanatory.


Step 8. Site Links

COMMENT: I don't need cross-site carts but I will add this to my MSFD "MULTI-SITE FOR DUMMIES" manual when I sort this thing out.

Love this...
"That's it, IF you manage to understand these explanations, you should have installed this module correctly." : )

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I'm in a bit of a hurry, I need this like yesterday, and the responses seems to be a little slow on this thread. So I figured, What the Hell, I'll through it out there and see what comes back.

Peace out,
Thanks for the support
Bill

[simon1066]

Hi Bill,

Looking through your last post I've got part of the way through and thought I would give you some feedback, using what I can remember when I installed my copy:

Your assumptions up to and including 3b) are correct.

3c)
the only new files needed are in ADD_FILES folder.

3d)
the whole point of this mod is that you don't need multiple installs of ZenCart, so a single install of ZC into Store1 is sufficient, all multisite additions/mods are made there

4a)Yes, the install.txt file contains the same changes that the MODIFY_FILES does, I think I posted earlier in this thread some guidance on that.

4b) can't remember how I did this, at the moment - can address it later if necc.

4c) as in 3d) these changes are made in the 'Store1' ZC files (given that this should be your only copy of ZC)

5a) reply in 3d) should make this clearer - i.e. new template to be created in your Store1 setup

6a) needs to go after the first <?php and before define('HTTP_SERVER',.......

6b) answered by 3d)

i think if you revise your install of this mod on all of the above then things should hopefully be clearer and you can move forward.

One further thing - this mod doesn't appear in ZC admin (v1.50) so I've just added a link to the header of my admin for: http://YOUR_DOMAIN.com/YOUR_ADMIN/multisite.php this will allow you access to the limited multisite admin functions. Of course the link in the admin header is just for convenience you can obviously navigate to it through your browser.

Cheers