Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
How can I use the Joomla Built in SEF module?
In the market there are quite a lot of Joomla SEF modules available for free as well as commercially. The Joomla SEF products normally provide the users with a control panel that will have all their SEF URLs in one place.
My recommendation is that if you are setting up a site for your self or for a client, I would recommend that you have your Joomla SEF URL's on. However one of the most common issues with having the SEF is improper Configuration of the Joomla SEF and having pages not being displayed. (Dropping template CSS files)...
To make sure that this works smoothly follow the following steps and you would be fine:
• log into your website directory via capnel, FTP, Plesk or any server application that you can access your Joomla files.
• Back up a copy of you htaccess.txt (you might need this to revert back in the future, I am a big fan of backups )
• Rename you htaccess.txt to .htaccess
• Set the permissions on your .htaccess file to 755
• Now Login to your Joomla Administrator account
• Ensure that in the Extentions > Plugin Manager > System SEF is enabled.
• Now go to Site > Global Configuration and under Meta Settings DELETE the Global Site Meta Description and Global Site Meta Tags and Select NO for Show Title Meta Tags and if you like Select NO for Author Meta Tags. (The reason you DELETE and Turn Off is because you DO NOT want meta data repeated in any pages of yo
ur site, except for Author if you wish you can keep that on.)
• Now on the same at the top right hand corner set Search Engine Friendly URLs to Yes as well as Apache mod_rewrite to YES as well if you are using Apache server...
now that will work like a Charm. So as you enter each article make sure you make use of Metadata information for your Selected targeted keyword and key phrases.
Good luck...
If you would like us to configure, setup SEF URL's or Manage SEO Campaigns for you please contact our support department for further assistance.