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Hide a download page but keep the theme

by bjd461
8 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
Hi everyone
Could i ask for a little help with this please.
Basically i am trying to hide downloads.
Up to now, what i have been doing is to make a folder with an obscure name, create index.html and add in the nofollow,noindex tags, and only call this page from places like the autoresponder or the payment processor.
That works ok, except that the page is hand-written html, separate from the wordpress theme.

Can i have the page as part of the theme, and hidden (the download file would still be in a hidden folder)?
I know how to keep a page out of the menus, and out of the sitemap.
I dont know how to prevent Google from finding/indexing that page, is that possible?
I dont need ultimate protection, just basic, where it wont pop up in google serches.

Thanks in advance
Brian
#download #hide #page #theme
  • Profile picture of the author WordPressurize
    Originally Posted by bjd461 View Post

    Basically i am trying to hide downloads...
    Hi Brian, let's tackle one thing at a time.

    Files

    In WordPress, you can use the Media section to upload your downloadable files. When you upload, just like images, you'll be provided with the link. If the files is not supported for upload by WordPress by default, you'll need to work with your functions.php file to change that. There are also some plugins that assist file management.

    Hiding The Files

    By default, WordPress should give each file a page. You can hide these pages with a plugin that is specific to this feature, just search the Wordpress Plugin Directory, using "no follow" as your keyword. The better way is to use a plugin like Yoast SEO, which among many other awesome features, enables you to no-index/no-follow any page, file, post, etc.

    There are custom solutions as well, if you want to hand over the task to a developer which would be far less weighty, and more automated. However, if you're looking for something you can do yourself, the solutions I described above are good.

    Theme

    Once you're using WordPress as your file manager and host, everything will be within you theme.

    Concerns

    One thing you'll want to look out for is that the file pages are not being included in your feed or sitemaps. A plugin like Better WordPress XML Sitemaps will help you take care of the sitemaps with a few clicks of your mouse. With a little searching you can probably find something to manage whats included in your feeds as well.
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    "The Dominance characteristic values competency, results, and action. The Influence characteristic values action, enthusiasm, and relationships. The Steadiness characteristic values relationships, sincerity, and dependability. The Conscientiousness characteristic values dependability, quality, and competency... it is necessary to give them the thing they value most." - from Convert, by Ben Hunt

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    • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
      Originally Posted by WordPressurize View Post

      Concerns

      One thing you'll want to look out for is that the file pages are not being included in your feed or sitemaps.
      That's not a "concern" in this case but a bonus

      If the OP wants to hide the download page from being indexed/found/discovered - then not being in feeds and/or sitemaps is excellent news!

      Even a developer like yourself should know this
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      • Profile picture of the author WordPressurize
        Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

        That's not a "concern" in this case but a bonus

        If the OP wants to hide the download page from being indexed/found/discovered - then not being in feeds and/or sitemaps is excellent news!

        Even a developer like yourself should know this
        @Istvan, I think you may have misinterpreted what I said. "...the file pages are not being included in your feed or sitemaps...", meaning you'll want to look out for this, or make sure of this. I was just explaining that it's something the OP may need to be active about, and not leave to chance.

        @Brian Glad I could be of assistance!
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        "The Dominance characteristic values competency, results, and action. The Influence characteristic values action, enthusiasm, and relationships. The Steadiness characteristic values relationships, sincerity, and dependability. The Conscientiousness characteristic values dependability, quality, and competency... it is necessary to give them the thing they value most." - from Convert, by Ben Hunt

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  • Profile picture of the author alistair
    When I've wanted an html page that looks exactly the same as a wp theme I might be using, using firefox I'll click on file and then save page as and then save as type web page html only then edit text or whatever using Kompozer and then upload the html page via ftp.

    There's probably a simpler way of doing things but I do it this way and it's a piece of cake.
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    • Profile picture of the author bjd461
      @WordPressurize - thanks, those plugins seem to be what i need.
      I did think there should be a plugin to hide pages, but i did not know what to look for. Thanks again.
      @alistair - thanks also, thats kinda what i have been doing up to now. but it gets a little messy if make theme changes, and i was hoping to keep the look.
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    What's wrong with a simple NOINDEX/NOFOLLOW in the download page header?

    Looks like your only trying to hide the download page from Google SERPS, right?

    Remove any existing download pages that might be in the SERPs with the Google Webmaster Tools, URL removal tool, after you apply the NOINDEX/NOFOLLOW.
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    • Profile picture of the author WordPressurize
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      What's wrong with a simple NOINDEX/NOFOLLOW in the download page header?

      Looks like your only trying to hide the download page from Google SERPS, right?

      Remove any existing download pages that might be in the SERPs with the Google Webmaster Tools, URL removal tool, after you apply the NOINDEX/NOFOLLOW.
      @Yukon I think the main requirement of the OP is not the hiding, as he's already doing that, but rather to be able to continue hiding it effectively if he puts it within his WP installation, thus allowing use of the theme from the rest of his website.

      "That works ok, except that the page is hand-written html, separate from the wordpress theme. Can i have the page as part of the theme, and hidden (the download file would still be in a hidden folder)?"
      Signature

      "The Dominance characteristic values competency, results, and action. The Influence characteristic values action, enthusiasm, and relationships. The Steadiness characteristic values relationships, sincerity, and dependability. The Conscientiousness characteristic values dependability, quality, and competency... it is necessary to give them the thing they value most." - from Convert, by Ben Hunt

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      • Profile picture of the author bjd461
        Sorted
        Easy when i knew what to search for.
        For anyone interested, this plugin "Easy Noindex And Nofollow", does just what i wanted, allows me to mark any of my wordpress pages as noindex and/or nofollow.
        Did some testing, and it seems to work just fine.
        Thanks again everyone for the help - much appreciated.
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