I recently purchased (2-3 days ago) MSU for my Zen Cart and noticed that everything comes up (SEO'd) as http://mydomain.com and NOT AS http://www.mydomain.com - which is what I prefer and need for my website.
Perhaps the fault lies with:
(1) My purchase and registration where I may have specified only "mydomain.com" and not "www.mydomain.com". (I don't remember...)
(2) Or that MSU does not allow the "www" which is a defacto standard subdomain, meaning that "mydomain.com" is synomynous with "www.mydomain.com". Granted I understand the differences, but a basic MSU license SHOULD ALLOW at least these two to go together (if it is not the case; and if it is, I need help on how to get it working!).
I tried editing the .htaccess file and adding the "www" to my domain name, but that does not appear to work (looks like that no SEO optimization occurs at all in fact).
So... What next? Get a corrected MSU version from the vendor or is there a fix for this?
Finally, I want to add (again) that MSU should allow a minimum of "mydomain.com" and a "www.mydomain.com" in its license and not be considered multi-site or multi-domain in that instance. Anything more should/could be charged extra, etc.
Looking forward to a reply on this one...
[Zen Cart] www.example.com vs. example.com
Re: [Zen Cart] www.example.com vs. example.com
Topher wrote:(1) My purchase and registration where I may have specified only "mydomain.com" and not "www.mydomain.com". (I don't remember...)
I can not tell you why did you receive MSU for http://mydomain.com and not http://www.mydomain.com because you did not specify your store URL. It may be by incorrect filled URL or incorrectly configured store because all web sites are reviewed before any order is processed (MSU's and store's setup must match).
Topher wrote:(2) Or that MSU does not allow the "www" which is a defacto standard subdomain, meaning that "mydomain.com" is synomynous with "www.mydomain.com". Granted I understand the differences, but a basic MSU license SHOULD ALLOW at least these two to go together (if it is not the case; and if it is, I need help on how to get it working!).
MSU can not be enabled for www.mydomain.com and mydomain.com at same time, because most of hosts (99%) serve same content on both URL. For that reason MSU always redirects to the one configured URL to avoid any duplicate content penalties.
Topher wrote:So... What next? Get a corrected MSU version from the vendor or is there a fix for this?
Once you post your store URL, you will receive updated installation package.
Re: [Zen Cart] www.example.com vs. example.com
Ok, here's my posted URL that I require: http://www.prettysickpuppy.com
Where as: prettysickpuppy.com is the MSU I have but will not be able to use (due to my SSL cert).
I await the updated MSU from you for www.prettysickpuppy.com. Thanks!
Now, with that done I would like to address your comment:
I fully understand the reasoning, as I believe it to mean that it prevents duplicate content. However, MSU should be somewhat configurable to allow the Licensee (like me) to edit a file to modify a parameter/variable/define statement to turn on or enable "mydomain.com" or "www.mydomain.com" as the user prefers, saving you and the user lots of support issues and time spent. For as you say, that is the case 99% of the time! (You could/should add imbedded code that checks that the user doesn't try to sneak in something other than that, such as a different domain or subdomain from that given during the purchase of MSU.)
Almost off my soapbox... Finally, when all is said and done, I think that allowing the user to specify (edit) in a file whether they want to use www or not for "theirdomain.com" would serve both you and the customer much better. MSU doesn't necessarily have to support both at the same time, just at least allow the customer edit a file to pick one or the other without having to waste time figuring out what the problem is, searching the web for answers, posting comments and finally having to get an MSU coded to what they actually need from you.
MSU just needs to be coded to support this and then MSU would create SEO URL's based on that (www or no www). I don't believe it would be very hard - AND it would save you countless support time. Time is money, right?
My Two Cents,
Topher
PS - I think you have a great product and I'm glad I purchased it. It's just not very configurable (not that it needs to be - except for what I suggested... so far. LOL)
Where as: prettysickpuppy.com is the MSU I have but will not be able to use (due to my SSL cert).
I await the updated MSU from you for www.prettysickpuppy.com. Thanks!
Now, with that done I would like to address your comment:
MSU can not be enabled for http://www.mydomain.com and mydomain.com at same time, because most of hosts (99%) serve same content on both URL. For that reason MSU always redirects to the one configured URL to avoid any duplicate content penalties.
I fully understand the reasoning, as I believe it to mean that it prevents duplicate content. However, MSU should be somewhat configurable to allow the Licensee (like me) to edit a file to modify a parameter/variable/define statement to turn on or enable "mydomain.com" or "www.mydomain.com" as the user prefers, saving you and the user lots of support issues and time spent. For as you say, that is the case 99% of the time! (You could/should add imbedded code that checks that the user doesn't try to sneak in something other than that, such as a different domain or subdomain from that given during the purchase of MSU.)
Almost off my soapbox... Finally, when all is said and done, I think that allowing the user to specify (edit) in a file whether they want to use www or not for "theirdomain.com" would serve both you and the customer much better. MSU doesn't necessarily have to support both at the same time, just at least allow the customer edit a file to pick one or the other without having to waste time figuring out what the problem is, searching the web for answers, posting comments and finally having to get an MSU coded to what they actually need from you.
MSU just needs to be coded to support this and then MSU would create SEO URL's based on that (www or no www). I don't believe it would be very hard - AND it would save you countless support time. Time is money, right?
My Two Cents,
Topher
PS - I think you have a great product and I'm glad I purchased it. It's just not very configurable (not that it needs to be - except for what I suggested... so far. LOL)
Re: [Zen Cart] www.example.com vs. example.com
Thanks for feedback. I have re-sent you Download link with updated installation package. Please also don't forget to re-configure your Zen Cart installation in includes/configure.php file to http://www.prettysickpuppy.com
