CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Hello,

We have been trying to get the CDSEO packages (including static embedded pages) from WebsiteCM to work for almost two weeks now and it has been a complete nightmare. We get emails from Jon about every other day and to date, we're still having issues.

(1) Instructions are non-existent. All you get is a set of php install pages. There is no indication of what to expect after installation or how this software works.
(2) All of the mod's PHP pages are encrypted, eliminating any possibility of troubleshooting without Jon's help.
(3) Any HTTPS links to product, category, and static pages now either return to the home page or 404.
(4) All links to static pages were 404'ing from Day 1. We asked Jon to take a look. He said he did but in actuality, didn't. Because of the lack of directions, we determined that if we linked to the actual static page name, it would work. After having spent 2 hours relinking all pages.php?pageid=n links all over the site to hardcoded links, we found that meta analyzers were no longer finding these pages. Long story made short, turns out we were never supposed to re-link and the CDSEO software was supposed to dynamically change these pages for us (how were we supposed to know? there's no manual!). Unfortunately, we can't relink to pages.php?pageid=n because then we will 404. So, we're stuck waiting for another wld goose chase from Jon.
(5) The concept of having to specify a unique directory name for products, categories, and static embedded pages should be optional. It's a cheesy requirement.
(6) Unlike the product and category package, it appears there is no way to turn off the static pages package. Rolling back seems to be the only way to turn it off.

All told, our site is now in flux, Jon is once again nowhere to be found, and we're wishing X-Cart would have had this addressed in their base package so that we could have avoided this mess with WebsiteCM

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Hi KaviSkin, as a disclaimer, I'm not associated with WebsiteCM (I actually have a free alternative module available, called XC SEO).

1. All urls are supposed to be automatically rewritten by the CDSEO module, as I'm sure you've found out by now.
2. It's actually code obfuscation, a slight difference. (Explanations at bottom of my post)
3. That sounds like an issue with the Apache rewrites
4. Eek
5. Agreed, but it's actually a requirement due to the method of CDSEO implementation (XC SEO Pro seeks to solve this limitation)
6. You're correct on this as well, CDSEO has an option to disable it, but that doesn't work, the only way to disable is to uninstall.

Regarding Jon being unavailable, that's due to the weekend and happens with most PHP firms around X-Cart.

If you'd like, I should be able to help you troubleshoot this issue. Contact me via email at jon@phpsitesolutions.com if you'd like my assistance (no charge).

Cheers

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

There is always some level of technical expertise required to install modules - particularily on customized stores. You elected not to have us install for you, and have elected not to provide FTP information for us to perform changes which could ensure this is working correctly within a couple of minutes.

I feel we have gone above and beyond to compensate for your lack of technical knowledge - we performed all the installation file edits for you without FTP access at no cost to you. Additionally I feel we have been more than prompt with replies working through holidays and weekends when our support desk is closed despite your consistent threats of public posts and refund requests.

In short, I feel you do not have the technical knowledge to install this yourself, will not allow us to do so for you, and are projecting your frustration for your inability to do so upon us.

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

FYI, it's been 4 business days since you asked for installation assistance.

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

I respect your business and don’t want to be quick with a public post about the problems I’m experiencing. If you like, I can include all of the emails I’ve sent in over the last couple of weeks and you can decide just how responsive your team has been. And the technical issues only started 4 days ago, because it took you a week to deliver the software.

Anyhow, we’re almost there..

2 issues remain:

(1) I’ve since relinked all static pages to use the pages.php?pageid=n format and have remarked out

include $xcart_dir."/modules/cdseolinks/cdseo_pages.php";

to avoid 404’s.

Therefore, a link like http://www.kaviskin.com/glycolic-acid.html is no longer valid. That specific link is now http://www.kaviskin.com/pages.php?pageid=17. However, as soon as I unremark the above include statement, then http://www.kaviskin.com/pages.php?pageid=17 returns a 404.

After further reading, it would seem that the expected behavior would be for the static page to rewrite/redirect to http://www.kaviskin.com/content/glycolic-acid.html. Is that correct?

(2) When in HTTPS mode, if I click on a product or category, it sends me to the home page, and not to the same product or category page in HTTP mode.

Our site has sensitive customer information and I can’t just open FTP access. If you like, we can work through the problem over IM or on the phone, if you think it will be faster.

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Hi Kaveh, according to your email to me, the url actually should be /info/ instead of /content/

I would suggest that you revisit the static page TPL edit, as that may be why the folder reference is missing

Additionally you might need to check the config variable in the cdseo pages configuration

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Jon L.,

Yes, you're right. I was trying to simplify the explanation, but perhaps complicated it. The default value 'content' was changed to 'info' both in the .htaccess and the cdseo_pages_config.php files.

Thanks!

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Kaveh, there are multiple edits total required for Static Pages, did you perform each edit?

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

BTW, the characters below are showing up on pageid 14, in the header of each subsection:

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Yes, they were all performed.

Please note that now all product and category rewrites/redirects are working just fine. Just static pages, which I believe should be the simpler of the two to get working.

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

yes.. should be   ..changed.

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

I'm thinking that you've missed an edit to auth.php, which adds:

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Just a note, the reason I believe that edit is missing, is because it defines the "subfolder" that the page files should be "found" in. (i.e.- your 'info' value)

the fact that your edits seem to be in place, but the info reference is missing, suggests that the variable isn't being filled.

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Just wanted to leave an update..

Jon and I just finished up. It's now 1:30AM and about 3-4 hours into the troubleshooting. I'm happy to say everything is up and running. Our site was a special case and Jon needed to write some custom code to make everything work.

What is even more impressive than someone willing to sit and work with me through the night (on a weekend at that) is that Jon gives the distinct impression that he really enjoys what he does. That shows not only in his stamina but also in the quality of his work.

Thanks again, Jon!

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Moving this to Third Party Add-ons

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Wow, I wish I would have read all this before I purchased this $200.00 mod the other day. It is clearly not what I thought it would be at all. I am also having installation issues but I hope I do not have to wait weeks to get help like the others. Wish me the best of luck with this CDSEO mod and support from Jon.

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Please see the note above in this thread, as this was a unique situation and we worked above and beyond to assist.

This is an old thread and not the same product as your are installing. We don't leave any of our clients waiting weeks for support (you may have read about people in this situation after having purchased XCSEO and whom are reporting such a delay on the forums currently.) We are available during business hours for email support, live chat support and/or phone support if needed. If you've submitted a ticket with us it will be addressed first thing during business hours tomorrow. As far as CDSEO Pro installation, all feedback we've had has been very positive about the ease of installation - the only problem you should experience is if your host does not support mod rewrite or isapi rewrite via .htaccess which is a requirement.

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

Please note we have not received a support request from you.

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

We have nothing but great things to say about Jon services and products, we have used both the CDSEO when it first came out and did not think twice when we upgraded to the CDSEO Pro. The service is outstanding and the communication process is always on going. Keep up the great work Jon.

Re: CDSEO Help - Installation Nightmare
 

I wanted to apologize to Jon. I spoke a little too soon because as it turned out Jon helped me get up and running with the CDSEO mod and he has answered every question that I have asked rather quickly. Thank you very much Jon for your help and great mod.