Move Shop To Root

[madcrazygirl]

Hi

 

Due to my initial inexperience and misunderstanding of what oscommerce could do I originally built my shop with html pages and then had a link to the shop side of things. This of course caused problems with sessions!

 

Thanks to the wonder of contributions I have been gradually replacing the old html pages and redirecting them to the new oscommerce pages.

 

I am now left with the final stage which is transferring the .com page to oscommerce so that when my .com address is put into the browswer it calls the new page. My .com currently sits in the root.

 

I think I want to build a new home page and just keep and rename the current oscommerce landing page as shop or something so does anyone have any advice on this and what steps in simple terms must I follow to ensure all goes smoothly? Bit nervous about breaking things particularly config files etc....

 

 

Any advice very appreciated :thumbsup:

 

Cheers, Crazy

[Guest]

Hi

 

Due to my initial inexperience and misunderstanding of what oscommerce could do I originally built my shop with html pages and then had a link to the shop side of things. This of course caused problems with sessions!

 

Thanks to the wonder of contributions I have been gradually replacing the old html pages and redirecting them to the new oscommerce pages.

 

I am now left with the final stage which is transferring the .com page to oscommerce so that when my .com address is put into the browswer it calls the new page. My .com currently sits in the root.

 

I think I want to build a new home page and just keep and rename the current oscommerce landing page as shop or something so does anyone have any advice on this and what steps in simple terms must I follow to ensure all goes smoothly? Bit nervous about breaking things particularly config files etc....

Any advice very appreciated :thumbsup:

 

Cheers, Crazy

Why not just use the Store In Root contribution and make the shop your home page?

[madcrazygirl]

Thank you just looked at that contrubtion.

 

However, I have acquired page rank and links on both my current home .com page and the /catalog page and so do not want to lose this. I still want a landing page I can play with as I currently do, just within oscommerce?

 

I want to make a new page, where to place it, how to move the current folders and alter the configs? And anything else I may stupidly overlook :lol:

[dynamoeffects]

The correct way to do it in a Google-friendly way is like this:

 

1. Backup everything

2. Move everything from the /catalog directory to your root directory

3. Alter the configure.php files to reflect the change.

4. Add this to your .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^catalog/(.*) /$1 [R=301,L]

 

Note that that RewriteRule was written from memory, so it might not work exactly right, but should put you on the right path.

[Draeisme]

The correct way to do it in a Google-friendly way is like this:

 

1. Backup everything

2. Move everything from the /catalog directory to your root directory

3. Alter the configure.php files to reflect the change.

4. Add this to your .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^catalog/(.*) /$1 [R=301,L]

 

Note that that RewriteRule was written from memory, so it might not work exactly right, but should put you on the right path.

 

Thanks for the great info!

 

From doing searches, a mod rewrite explanation sidt has this code listed below. It worked with my local host. NC means that capital letters wont matter.

 

RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^catalog/(.*)$ /$1 [R=301,NC,L]

 

Source:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/10/06/s...-parent-folder/

[DYOGifts]

Which .htaccess file gets modified?

tia

Steve

[Draeisme]

Which .htaccess file gets modified?

tia

Steve

 

The .htaccess file in the root.

Then after you copy everything from catalog to the root, rename your catalog directory.

[MrPhil]

My advice is to never put an application, such as osC, into your top level root directory. Always place it in its own subtree (e.g., /catalog/) under the root, and use one form or another of redirection to make its "index.php" appear to be the top level Home Page. This permits you the flexibility to add other applications or subsystems, such as custom pages, forum, blog, or gallery in a similar manner, without each stepping on the others' toes. You can upgrade, delete, or do anything on the store without fear of breaking some other application. You can have any sort of top level Home Page, with links to your store and the other applications. And you can start with just your store and redirection (either in .htaccess or in a dummy "index.html" with <meta> tag "refresh") and gradually build from there.

[DYOGifts]

Hi Phil,

I (originally) considered the clutter & security issues of having everything on the root, so installed using the /catalog folder.. Then, I couldn't find peace with having to type ~~/catalog /index~ etc, I wanted the URL to be mydomain.com/.. (wasn't aware of the info you posted). I reinstalled osC - prob 3rd or 4th time - and re-did any modifications.. This time around I've carried out more (small, basic) mods as found in 'Quick Install Guide' & 'How Do I' - haven't added contribs as I've wanted to find my way around the file structure and maybe pick up some php along the way. It's meant changes to Many files..

 

Is it possible to revert to the /catalog/ folder whilst retaining any file modifications 'this time'..?

Or am I looking at yet another install & starting again (no product/category changes/additions yet)?

I think I've blown it again, but in the long run I'll have peace of mind, so it's got to bite the bullet, one way or another.

 

Any advice appreciated - 'simplified version' if poss.. idiot at work.

Apologies if I need to post this elsewhere (it's the Opposite of 'Move Shop to Root'!)

 

Steve

 

My advice is to never put an application, such as osC, into your top level root directory. Always place it in its own subtree (e.g., /catalog/) under the root, and use one form or another of redirection to make its "index.php" appear to be the top level Home Page. This permits you the flexibility to add other applications or subsystems, such as custom pages, forum, blog, or gallery in a similar manner, without each stepping on the others' toes. You can upgrade, delete, or do anything on the store without fear of breaking some other application. You can have any sort of top level Home Page, with links to your store and the other applications. And you can start with just your store and redirection (either in .htaccess or in a dummy "index.html" with <meta> tag "refresh") and gradually build from there.

[Jack_mcs]

Hi Phil,

I (originally) considered the clutter & security issues of having everything on the root, so installed using the /catalog folder.. Then, I couldn't find peace with having to type ~~/catalog /index~ etc, I wanted the URL to be mydomain.com/.. (wasn't aware of the info you posted). I reinstalled osC - prob 3rd or 4th time - and re-did any modifications.. This time around I've carried out more (small, basic) mods as found in 'Quick Install Guide' & 'How Do I' - haven't added contribs as I've wanted to find my way around the file structure and maybe pick up some php along the way. It's meant changes to Many files..

 

Is it possible to revert to the /catalog/ folder whilst retaining any file modifications 'this time'..?

Or am I looking at yet another install & starting again (no product/category changes/additions yet)?

I think I've blown it again, but in the long run I'll have peace of mind, so it's got to bite the bullet, one way or another.

 

Any advice appreciated - 'simplified version' if poss.. idiot at work.

Apologies if I need to post this elsewhere (it's the Opposite of 'Move Shop to Root'!)

 

Steve

What security issues? The shop should always go in the root unless you want to have an entrance page, which is a mistake. Having it in a sub-directory is bad for getting good results from the search engines and, in my opinion, appears unprofessional. If you are determined to have it in a sub-directory, don't redirect with an index file as mentioned since that will cause even more problems with the search engines.

 

Jack

[DYOGifts]

Thanks Jack..

 

(rightly or wrongly) I've always kept the number of 'loose' files in the root to a minimum, preferring them organised into relevant folders etc.. helps me keep track of things (it's an 'age' thing..) :blush: Never used php, only html, but trying to pick up the pace..

 

As it stands.. the site has no problems (that I'm aware of), but still Lots to do. Now would be the time to make a (final!) decision as to root / folder before I go any further, and I thought I'd found the answer. But both arguments have plenty going for them..

 

re: entrance page & sub-directory.. The homepage and store is/was going to be split anyway, with visitors having a choice between products ready-designed, and products available for Their designs. Am I right in thinking the index-home-entrance page could still be made search-engine friendly, on the root, with lots of content etc, whilst the catalog files themselves are in the catalog folder? Would this option (if poss.) give the best of both worlds, considering the split entrance page anyway?

 

Sorry if the questions appear stupid - I've been out of the loop for a Long time.. Trying to put this together the 'best' way, first time (ish).. Anyone's input is much appreciated & valued.

 

Steve

 

 

What security issues? The shop should always go in the root unless you want to have an entrance page, which is a mistake. Having it in a sub-directory is bad for getting good results from the search engines and, in my opinion, appears unprofessional. If you are determined to have it in a sub-directory, don't redirect with an index file as mentioned since that will cause even more problems with the search engines.

 

Jack

[Jack_mcs]

Thanks Jack..

 

(rightly or wrongly) I've always kept the number of 'loose' files in the root to a minimum, preferring them organised into relevant folders etc.. helps me keep track of things (it's an 'age' thing..) :blush: Never used php, only html, but trying to pick up the pace..

 

As it stands.. the site has no problems (that I'm aware of), but still Lots to do. Now would be the time to make a (final!) decision as to root / folder before I go any further, and I thought I'd found the answer. But both arguments have plenty going for them..

 

re: entrance page & sub-directory.. The homepage and store is/was going to be split anyway, with visitors having a choice between products ready-designed, and products available for Their designs. Am I right in thinking the index-home-entrance page could still be made search-engine friendly, on the root, with lots of content etc, whilst the catalog files themselves are in the catalog folder? Would this option (if poss.) give the best of both worlds, considering the split entrance page anyway?

Yes, an entrance page can be setup to rank well. If it is not setup properly, your shop will suffer for it (it will anyway initially since it is not in the root). But if it is, eventually, your shop should rank well, assuming it is optimized properly. But having an entrance page doesn't require a redirect, as mentioned previously. In this case it will just be a link to the shop.

 

Jack

[Guest]

What security issues? The shop should always go in the root unless you want to have an entrance page, which is a mistake. Having it in a sub-directory is bad for getting good results from the search engines and, in my opinion, appears unprofessional. If you are determined to have it in a sub-directory, don't redirect with an index file as mentioned since that will cause even more problems with the search engines.

 

Jack

Thank you for your common sense comments Jack.

[DYOGifts]

Yahay! Happy bunny.. just have to make damn sure it's set up right.

 

which reminds me (original question)..

 

What's the most efficient way to get everything (bar the index) back into the cat folder * whilst retaining any file modifications (if possible)..? I'm thinking it's a toss-up between retaining the correct links Or retaining the mods.. the reinstall with links has to win. Just a quick yay/nay/other method would be great..

 

Big Thanks for you patience, I'll try to leave it at that for now..

 

Steve

 

Yes, an entrance page can be setup to rank well. If it is not setup properly, your shop will suffer for it (it will anyway initially since it is not in the root). But if it is, eventually, your shop should rank well, assuming it is optimized properly. But having an entrance page doesn't require a redirect, as mentioned previously. In this case it will just be a link to the shop.

 

Jack