upgrade resulted in seo urls not working- google not indexing

Last night I moved our site to a vps. I also did the upgrade after moving. We had numix seo urls on the site but after the upgrade they dont work and all links from google search result in 404 errors. this is killing our new business. Site is thelectricaldepot.com
v 1.5.1:shocking:

Is the seo url plugin compatible with ZenCart v1.5.1??

itcetera:

Last night I moved our site to a vps. I also did the upgrade after moving. We had numix seo urls on the site but after the upgrade they dont work and all links from google search result in 404 errors. this is killing our new business. Site is thelectricaldepot.com
v 1.5.1:shocking:

DrByte posts this repeatedly bu it bears repeating again.. Never upgrade your live site without first testing it on a development site first.. and ALWAYS backup before moving your upgrade changes so you can roll back.

My suggestions are:

• Roll back your site to it's pre-upgrade state
• Contact Numinix to inquire about the compatibility of the SEO module you got from them.
• Start your upgrade over by testing on a dev site first..

DivaVocals:

DrByte posts this repeatedly bu it bears repeating again.. Never upgrade your live site without first testing it on a development site first.. and ALWAYS backup before moving your upgrade changes so you can roll back.

My suggestions are:

• Roll back your site to it's pre-upgrade state

• Contact Numinix to inquire about the compatibility of the SEO module you got from them.

• Start your upgrade over by testing on a dev site first..

nods in agreement:yes:

I did test it first. but the url problems didn't show up on the local computer of course and when I tested it on a live server I used the domain name and didn't think to check Google links. that's a good point for anyone who is new at this like me. Anyway I appreciate your comments.

itcetera:

I did test it first. but the url problems didn't show up on the local computer of course and when I tested it on a live server I used the domain name and didn't think to check Google links. that's a good point for anyone who is new at this like me. Anyway I appreciate your comments.

Best advice is not to install the url re-writer in the first place - because as you have discovered, it is not good for SEO in the least little bit. They should call these things SEW url rewriters (search engine wreckers):D

schoolboy:

Best advice is not to install the url re-writer in the first place - because as you have discovered, it is not good for SEO in the least little bit. They should call these things SEW url rewriters (search engine wreckers):D
I think it's more accurate to say that what he discovered was that if the re-writer isn't working properly that this is not good for SEO.

I think the OPs biggest issue may stem from testing on a local server and not creating a live dev site to test his upgrades to make sure his re-writer worked as it should.. This coupled with what is most likely an incompatible re-writer module are the cause of his issues. That said it's clear he has CHOSEN to use a URL re-writer. I realize you are not a fan of these tools, but telling the OP to simply uninstall or not to install at all is clearly not an option he wishes to exercise, and doesn't resolve his IMMEDIATE issue.

My advice to the OP still stands with one additional suggestion..

• Roll back your site to it's pre-upgrade state
• Contact Numinix to inquire about the compatibility of the SEO module you got from them.
• Consider using one of the better URL re-writers. I like Ceon URI for it's flexibility (auto generates URIs or you can enter your own custom ones), and the fact that it works WITH built in Zen Cart functionality, and will not interfere with well written Zen Cart modules.
• Start your upgrade over by testing on a LIVE dev site first.. Best way to do this to test the re-writer module is to create a sub-domain.

DivaVocals:

I think it's more accurate to say that what he discovered was that if the re-writer isn't working properly that this is not good for SEO.

That's the point...

On this forum, threads and posts relating to "SEO URL's" account for a HUGE proportion of total posts (a casual look suggests about half a million posts on this subject in general) indicating that "SEO URL" causes an immense number of problems for people who use it.

Now as I have said many times on this forum, if your business is in competition with any of my clients' businesses, then PLEASE LOAD A SEO MODLUE... because it means we will have one less competitor to worry about... :laugh:

schoolboy:

On this forum, threads and posts relating to "SEO URL's" account for a HUGE proportion of total posts (a casual look suggests about half a million posts on this subject in general) indicating that "SEO URL" causes an immense number of problems for people who use it.Many of these posts are centered around setup/configuration errors, and less than thorough testing before "going live" with one of these modules. Couple that with a non-techy shopowner who may not thoroughly understand how to correct the most commonly reported issues (setting up the .htaccess file for example) and may not be well versed in how to properly configure these modules and you will see a fair number of troubleshooting posts for these modules. However, these same kinds of issues (for the very same reasons) can be found in most any module if incorrectly setup/configured.

I get that you don't like these kinds of modules.. My point is that the OP (for his own reasons) has chosen to use a re-writer. If he chooses to continue with using one, he needs to understand how to properly install and configure the one he is using, or replace it with a better re-writer (if compatibility is an issue), or (if he follows your advice), he needs to understand HOW to uninstall and remove the module. Simply choosing "not to install the url re-writer in the first place" won't fully solve the current problem he is reporting. Since he already has links to his site listed on Google, it will still require some work on his part if he simply decides not to use a re-writer.

I installed the "rewriter" when we first started this shop two years ago. I thought it would improve our seo. At the very least it didn't hurt it. We have pretty good rankings in Google for a number of our products. I would agree with the last post whole-heartedly. I am not a web gureau, or however you spell that, but I am trying to learn, I hope by making these post when I have a problem to be able to learn something to avoid the mistakes I make. A thoughtful how to would be more useful to me than a I told you so. As far as information being in the post. I always try to find some thing before I ask, Many times things are related but not quit what I need. the shear volume of information is daunting. When the site is down(this is the first time in two and a half years) I am in panic mode and feel I don't have a day to read through everything, so I ask. If I had it to do over again I would not have installed the magic seo software. however I did and now I am faced with how to correct the situation. I didn't get anything from this post about how, so I planned to install it again in hopes of correcting the url problem before our Google rankings tank.
That said I am amazed at the functionality of Zen Cart and the work that must have gone into it. And it's free!! Also those who take their time to monitor these post and try to help other are to be commended. Some times a little but yourself in his or her shoes could be in order. over all I appreciate the program and those who help. Now I still dont know what to do to correct these url problems other than reinstall Magic seo urls. Thank you.

P.S. It worked fine with V 1.3.9h. I am hot sure about 1.5.1. I guess I better find out.

Your first priority should be to get the site working again.. So I'll say it again.. Forget the upgrade right now.. Zen cart v1.3.9 is secure.. So the fastest way to get your store back up right now is to ROLLBACK your site to the state it was before you upgraded to v1.5.1. This will get your site working again, and give you the proper time you need to resolve your upgrade issues..

Next you need to create a sub-domain and setup your test Zen Cart v1.5.1 store there so you are working in an environment which is more like your live site so you can do testing in a parallel environment..

Magic SEO is a commercial product and if you wish to continue using it, you will need to go back to the vendor and ask for their assistance getting it working on a v1.5.1 store. (it may NOT be compatible you need to check with them to confirm this)

Then you need to put together a plan for how to move forward. IF Magic SEO is indeed NOT compatible with Zen Cart v1.5.1, then you need to decide if you will rebuild your site using a different re-writer or forgo using a re-writer altogether.. Either path will require you to put code in place to manage the URLs already indexed in Google. If you use a re-writer like Ceon URI, you have the option of using your old URIs as Ceon not only auto-generates URIs, but it also allows you to enter in URIs of your own. This will allow you the ability to bring forward your old URLs.

That said I think it sound like you need to consider hiring someone to help you with this work as it may be a bit over your head to tackle on your own.. I hope you didn't get the impression that I was saying "I told you so".. I wasn't. Others read this forum too so it doesn't hurt anyone (yourself included) to summarize the cause of an issue.. Don't take that as an "I told you so".. It surely wasn't meant that way.

We are really desprate to get this resolved. can anyone suggest someone who might be able to fix this? No I wasnt referring to any on in particular, just the tone of some responses. I appreciate your help!

itcetera:

We are really desprate to get this resolved. can anyone suggest someone who might be able to fix this? No I wasnt referring to any on in particular, just the tone of some responses. I appreciate your help!You haven't said, but do you have a backup of the site before your upgrade?? If you do do you need guidance on restoring the site to it's "before upgrade" state??

Yes I do have a backup. I know how to restore it. right now I contacted some one to help with getting it back up. I thought your advice about that was good. I will post back with the out come.

And thank you for your willing spirit to help!

itcetera:

Yes I do have a backup. I know how to restore it. right now I contacted some one to help with getting it back up. I thought your advice about that was good. I will post back with the out come.

And thank you for your willing spirit to help!
Hope it all works out.. Your first priority should be to get the site working again.. rolling back gets you in a good place.. After the site is working again, then concentrate your efforts on the upgrade.. If you want continue to use a re-writer module, I suggest using a better one than Magic SEO.. You will need to do a fair bit of work to make sure that your Magic SEO URLS map over when using a new re-writer module.. If you are willing to put the effort into this, you should be able to get things back to a good working state..

thanks again I will post results

yes it is.

DivaVocals:

My point is that the OP (for his own reasons) has chosen to use a re-writer. If he chooses to continue with using one, he needs to understand how to properly install and configure the one he is using, or replace it with a better re-writer (if compatibility is an issue), or (if he follows your advice), he needs to understand HOW to uninstall and remove the module. Simply choosing "not to install the url re-writer in the first place" won't fully solve the current problem he is reporting. Since he already has links to his site listed on Google, it will still require some work on his part if he simply decides not to use a re-writer.

Very good points, Diva - and I agree with you. The OP needs to know how to fix this problem.

The issue of "SEO URL's" is my favourite hobbyhorse - mainly because I hate to see people hood-winked by the idea that these modules will somehow "improve SEO ranking".

In the past 9 years that I have been dealing with eCommerce sites (not just zencart), a large number of problems I have encountered when inheriting an existing website relate to these "SEO URL" modules. Unpicking the damage they can do can take quite a long time.

We have never used these things, and in many of the sites we have built, clients are getting excellent results in all search engines. One client has 342 products, and 327 of them are in Google's top three results for practically ALL of his critical keywords. In fact, the last KeywordSpy and CuteRank reports I ran on this site showed 293 in Google Number One position for their most critical keyphrase.

We aggressively promote SITE CONTENT as the major focus area of SEO. Those clients who follow this advice are getting good rankings on the SE's.

There is virtually nothing that needs to be done to core zencart code to make it SE-Friendly and SE-Efficient. Focus on CONTENT and good navigational hierarchy and your chances of good SERPS will inprove.

schoolboy:

Very good points, Diva - and I agree with you. The OP needs to know how to fix this problem.

The issue of "SEO URL's" is my favourite hobbyhorse - mainly because I hate to see people hood-winked by the idea that these modules will somehow "improve SEO ranking".

In the past 9 years that I have been dealing with eCommerce sites (not just zencart), a large number of problems I have encountered when inheriting an existing website relate to these "SEO URL" modules. Unpicking the damage they can do can take quite a long time.

We have never used these things, and in many of the sites we have built, clients are getting excellent results in all search engines. One client has 342 products, and 327 of them are in Google's top three results for practically ALL of his critical keywords. In fact, the last KeywordSpy and CuteRank reports I ran on this site showed 293 in Google Number One position for their most critical keyphrase.

We aggressively promote SITE CONTENT as the major focus area of SEO. Those clients who follow this advice are getting good rankings on the SE's.

There is virtually nothing that needs to be done to core zencart code to make it SE-Friendly and SE-Efficient. Focus on CONTENT and good navigational hierarchy and your chances of good SERPS will inprove.

I know that the issue of "SEO URL's" is your favourite hobbyhorse..:laugh: You get no argument from me that there are far too many who STILL buy into the so-called perceived "SEO benefit" from a URL re-writer.. I don't think that ANY of these tools provides the "magic bullet" effect that many shopowners seem to think they do. I encourage my clients to chase CUSTOMERS not search engines.. Writing good content for HUMANS is what a shop owner should be spending their time and focus on. I see with my clients that the ones who focus on site content do get better results and SE rankings regardless of whether or not they use a re-writer. I don't discourage or encourage the use of a re-writer module. By this I mean that I do discourage clients from using them if they are looking for a re-writer as some sort of SEO "magic bullet". The only valid reason IMHO for one of these tools is because a client wants human readable URLs for marketing materials, etc. (in other words for business reasons that have NOTHING to do with SE rankings).

IF I install a re-writer module for a client, I stick with Ceon URI because it is well written and flexible. I have a mixed bag of clients as far as the use of these tools is concerned, and my observation is that the clients who focus on content versus some "magic bullet" effect do well. The ones who do not have good solid content (despite my advice/nagging) are still waiting for their ship to come in regardless as to whether or not they use a re-writer or not.

That said the issue I see with these tools is that non-techy shopowners do not fully understand all of the impacts created by these tools if they upgrade or make major changes to their site, decide to turn the re-writer off, or worse yet if they use a poorly supported re-writer module. Turning it on is the easy part, turning a re-writer off or changing modules requires a fair bit of work or the damage can be catastrophic. I do see many non-techy shhopowners who do not understand this fully when implementing one of these tools.

Ahhh... the magic words "chase CUSTOMERS"...

In another thread i started a day or two ago, I discuss the rapidly advancing use of mobile devices by online shoppers. We have seen (in the last few months) a RAPID increase in the number of hand-helds accessing the sites we are monitoring.

When we extrapolate the graphs, some of the data projects that hand-helds will overtake conventional devices (computers) around about September/October this year - and that is a FAR MORE URGENT issue for webshop owners, than is the SEO-friendly URL scenario.

Google, Yahoo and Bing will soon abandon a whole range of "conventional" assessment criteria - and most of the <meta> headers which people STILL believe influence ranking, will become obsolete. The trend now is to do in-line embedding of meta data, (termed MICRODATA) using the taxonomy described at schema.org. These new content evaluation and indexing techniques WILL be the standard within a year.

I am busy experimenting with a system that parses the taxonomy into the standard zencart-generated html. It's proving to be quite a headache!