Language and google indexation

[ptemmerman]

Hi,

 

Until now my webshop only has 1 language enabled.

This means all URLs are formatted in the following manner:

 

www.example.com/12-productname

 

Google is indexing these URLs.

However, in the future I will enable more languages for my webshop. From my tests I see that this will result in a changed URL format:

 

www.example.com/language_code/12-productname

 

The current indexed URLs in Google will result in a 404 error, which would be catastrophic for my click through rate.

 

Any advise on what would be the best way to cope with this?

[El Patron]

I moved this to SEO section for better exposure.

 

This is an interesting topic and look forward to comments of those who have experienced this same situation.

[Bill Dalton]

No, this will not hurt you if the only change is enabling the multi language feature. This is because PrestaShop will automatically redirect the old url, 

 

www.example.com/12-productname

 

to

 

www.example.com/language_code/12-productname

 

Depending on your setup, I believe the default error code 302, but if you are using a module like, Duplicate URL Redirect

http://www.presto-changeo.com/en/prestashop-modules/25-duplicate-url-redirect.html

It will give a proper 301.

 

Regardless, 301 or 302 are both ok for this type of thing. The point is no 404, no problem. Turning on the language function will not hurt your listings, proper redirects and error codes are all built in.

Edited December 16, 2013 by Bill Dalton (see edit history)

[ptemmerman]

Thank you for your reply Bill.

 

I quickly tried what you said by enabling a second language for a moment.

When I reload a product page that I successfully opened before enabling the second language, I get a 404 error.

 

I don't know if it matters, the example URLs I gave were wrong.

 

Instead of www.example.com/12-productname the URLs are formatted like this:

 

www.example.com/category-name/12-productname

 

 

Can you tell me which Prestashop settings affect this behavior?

[Bill Dalton]

No the example URLS are fine. As mentioned I'm use the module Duplicate URL Redirect, I linked to it above I highly recommend it. It solves some very common URL problems. To see what you are going through I disabled the module and tried it bare metal. I found that I had to force PS to rewrite the .htaccess, by turning off friendly urls and turning them on again, I also had to clean up the cache files to make it would work.

 

Best advice I can offer is to buy this module, Duplicate URL Redirect

http://www.presto-changeo.com/en/prestashop-modules/25-duplicate-url-redirect.html

 

For 35 bucks it solves many SEO issues automatically, and you don't even need to think about them.

Edited December 16, 2013 by Bill Dalton (see edit history)

[ptemmerman]

Thanks Bill.

 

I will try the solution that you offer.

[ptemmerman]

It still isn't working. I will need to investigate what is happening...

[Bill Dalton]

ptemmerman, once again, the module I recommend doesn't require you to set up URLS or any learning curve. You turn it on and let it do its thing. It not only protects you from many common errors, it save you the time of trying to protect yourself.

 

This module should be built in to Prestashop.