Search Engine Friendly URL’s in Joomla!

Ruth CheesleySuffolk Computer Services

What are SEF URL’s?

http://www.myurl.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=27

http://www.myurl.com/index.php?option=com_expose&Itemid=26

These are NOT search engine friendly URL’s

http://www.myurl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

http://www.suffolkcomputerservices.co.uk/Website-Design-News/how-do-i-remove-the-joomla-generator-tag.html

These ARE search engine friendly URL’s

http://www.joomla.org/announcements/general-news/5236-10-million-thank-yous.html

http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/communities-&-groupware/communities/210/details

Why Bother?

• Search Engine Optimisation

• Ease of viewing

• Less “Joomla-ish”

• More professional!

Preparing for SEF URL’s?

• Do you have Apache?

• Do you need a SEF component?– Multiple components– Auto-redirects old URL’s to new SEF’d URL’s– Allows configuration on per-component basis

• Consider current SEO & potential impact

Turning on SEF URL’sJoomla 1.5.x Global Configuration>Site Settings – Right hand side

Joomla 1.0.x Global Configuration>SEO – note, no option to NOT use apache

Now what?

• Rename htaccess.txt to .htaccess (Apache)

• Alter RewriteBase if you’re using a subdomain – RewriteBase /<subdomain>

• If you’re not using a subdomain the .htaccess file should work as-is

Using SEF components

• Recommended components:– Artio (JoomSEF)

www.artio.net– Sh404SEF

extensions.siliana.com

• Invaluable when using lots of extensions

• Huge control & flexibility over URL’s

Avoiding Complexity!

• If you’re new to SEF, use beginner mode (sh404SEF)

• Mostly only need to use Configuration – don’t panic about all the other features!

• Remember to purge URL’s when making changes

SH404SEFBeginner Mode

Advanced Mode

Has security system in-built to screen requests for common attacks

Plugin installation a bit cumbersome & not user friendly

Documentation wiki: http://doc.extensions.siliana.com

Artio (JoomSEF)

Has a free & paid version [£22] (free version has “SEO by Artio” on pages)

Lots of plugins, they will create custom plugins as required – some are chargeable, ~£10 each

Very easy & user friendly plugin installation – looks & acts the same as extension installation

Documentation: http://www.artio.net/en/joomsef/artio-joomsef-documentation

Any Questions?

Thank You!Ruth Cheesley

Managing Director, Suffolk Computer Services

ruth@suffolkcomputerservices.co.uk(07971) 087656