Generating links in version 9.0004

[rajnishsi]

Hello,

I'm in need to update some custom links(anchor tags, and form actions) here and there in various pages.
Is there any documentation about the generation of these links in various pages in accordance of new 9.0004 update. As per template changes, it's completely changed from what it used to be, I can deduct a few pointers from the usage of new method, but was wondering if there is some place where all of it can be available so that I can be sure about what I'm assuming right now is actually correct?

[Brennan]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

This page has all the docs on the new URI management features:

http://docs.miva.com/v1.0/docs/uri-m...-documentation

Is this what you are looking for?

[lesliekirk]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

Is the new URI management style links configured by default in a new install? I guess what I'm trying to understand is - do the tokens used in the templates need to be changed? I have store that has been successfully using NetBlazon's Smart Links for SEO. Extremely simple to configure but it does use the .htaccess file. I'm going to have to update that file too but what changes need to be made there?. I assume the Smart Breadcrumbs are able to function without any changes?

[Brennan]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

Is the new URI management style links configured by default in a new install?

Yes, brand new installations of Miva will use the the URI Management by default. The slugified product/category name is the default URI used.


For a store you are upgrading, we add the new functionality but don't turn it on by default. There is a drop down under URI Management for "Link Source" This is where you would turn the new functionality on.

All the components on the category page, search, related products, etc have been update to support the new URI Managment. If your page templates use the default links token like: &mvte:product:link; then the new links will just work once you turn them on. However there are a few steps you must take before you can activate the new URI Management.

We will be releasing a more detailed doc this week but at a high level here is what you would need to do:


1. Go into URI Management and configure the templates for categories, products, and pages to match your existing URL structure. If you are going to change your URL structure, then you would configure your templates to match what you want your new URL structure to be.

2. Generate URIs - Go to the URIs tab and generate URIs for all pages, products and categories. It is important that these URIs match your existing URI structure (unless you plan on changing your links)

3. [optional] Create an export of your existing URL structure. This can be done in excel if you have a simple URL structure (/product/product_code.html) or it may need to be done as a page template if you have more custom URLs. You would only need to do this if you need to import your URIs or you are changing your URI structure and need to implement redirects. If that is the case you'll need to import these URIs to create the proper 301 redirects

4. Change your Link Source to turn the URI Management on. Keep in mind that doing this will modify your .htaccess file to add some additional code to it.


Yes, Breadcrumbs have been updated to support the the URI Management if it is turned on.

[lesliekirk]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

Yes, brand new installations of Miva will use the the URI Management by default. The slugified product/category name is the default URI used.


For a store you are upgrading, we add the new functionality but don't turn it on by default. There is a drop down under URI Management for "Link Source" This is where you would turn the new functionality on.

That part I figured out.

1. Go into URI Management and configure the templates for categories, products, and pages to match your existing URL structure. If you are going to change your URL structure, then you would configure your templates to match what you want your new URL structure to be.

Are there template page examples of what will need to be added?

2. Generate URIs - Go to the URIs tab and generate URIs for all pages, products and categories. It is important that these URIs match your existing URI structure (unless you plan on changing your links)

The current URI structure uses a third-party module. This new function should be able to duplicate it.

4. Change your Link Source to turn the URI Management on. Keep in mind that doing this will modify your .htaccess file to add some additional code to it.

What should I do with the existing .htaccess file which has redirects for a third-party short links module already in it?

[Brennan]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

If you're using CSSUI then there should be no page template changes you need for the links. CSSUI by default uses the correct links. The only reason they would not be correct is if you had them hard coded to something else.

Once you're ready to go live with the new URI Management URLs, you'll want to remove the code in the .htaccess file that was controlling your old URLs to prevent any conflicts.

[lesliekirk]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

Okay, once again, I'm not following how to do this. I have turned on the URI Management. The only links that seem to work are for the Page URI's. I can't figure out how to recreate what the store had been using for category and product links

/&mvt:category:code;.html

/&mvt:product:code;.html


Am I going to have to go in and create these new links one by one?

[Brennan]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

No, under URI Mangement, then URIs there is a generate button that will generate URIs for all products, categories and pages.


You'll also need to modify your product and category template under URI settings to reflect the URI structure you want. The default is:

/<mvt:if expr="NOT ISNULL l.settings:page:slugified_title"><mvt:eval expr="tolower( l.settings:page:slugified_title )" /><mvt:else><mvt:eval expr="tolower( l.settings:page:slugified_name )" /></mvt:if>.html

You would want to change this to:

/&mvt:product:code;.html

Then generate links.

[lesliekirk]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

Well, I'm getting warmer, what would cause some active categories to not generate a URI?

[Brennan]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

Hmm.. not sure. I think it does them all. If you navigate to the category and click the URI tab is there nothing there?

[lesliekirk]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

It's empty - nothing there for the category. I tried clicking Regenerate for that category and still nothing.

[Brennan]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

Thats strange. If you want to send me access I can take a look.

[Brennan]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

Here is a new how to guide which walks though migrating from the old SEO settings to the new URI Management:

http://docs.miva.com/docs/how-to-mig...ement-features

[lesliekirk]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

Another question - is there a way to automatically have the URI's generated when a new category or product is added?

[Brennan]

Re: Generating links in version 9.0004

Yes. Under URI Managemet, there is a setting for "Generate URIs For New Categories"