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wordpress plugin to fix ugly permalinks

by mj2059
18 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
Is there a wordpress plugin that will fix the ugly default permalinks?

I know that is is a simple config change, but I want to be able to recommend it to people that are afraid of the %postname% tags. They can manage to install a plugin usually.
#fix #permalinks #plugin #ugly #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author WPCHARLIE
    There's no reason to use a plugin for your permalinks - why add a plugin you don't need?

    Wordpress Settings --> Permalinks gives you the ability to change it various options.

    %postname% <-- there's nothing wrong with that permalink
    %year%/%month%/%postname%
    %category%/%postname%

    Having clients install a plugin is way harder than having them copy/paste a string into 1 entry box in their Permalink settings.
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    • Profile picture of the author mj2059
      I have a surprising number of clients that take one look at those %tag%'s and go into immediate brain shutdown. They won't even cut-n-paste them. Most of them can manage to install a plugin.

      Do any of the SEO plugins have an option to change the permalinks?
      I know some flag the setting to remind you to change it.
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  • Profile picture of the author stufftheme
    i am only using the tag
    %postname%
    for permalinks and i have no queries
    its the best self made plugin you can have
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Do any of the SEO plugins have an option to change the permalinks?
    No, because it doesn't make sense to make a plugin for a feature that exists in the core files.

    Just teach them to use the tag: give them to copy/paste. Save.

    Although, I don't think (based on many years of experience with clients and beginner users) the perm tags in themselves would be a problem. The panic comes when WP says: update your .htaccess file with the code below

    And if the .htaccess file is not writable on the server, no plugin will help.
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  • Profile picture of the author VegasGreg
    If there was a plugin, (which would be a waste of time) the plugin would still need you to choose the permalink structure. So what is the difference if you enter the tag inside the plugin or inside the admin page?

    Hint: The difference is you have to add extra steps to install the plugin first.
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    • Profile picture of the author mj2059
      I was hoping for a plugin that just set it to
      %postname% or
      %category%/%postname%

      or maybe on with checkbox options for those and
      %year%/%month%/%postname%

      no cut-n-paste, just set it (default to either of the first two), and maybe offer checkbox options for the others - very simple

      Most of these will be on new setups, so configuring .htaccess won't be a problem.

      Or one of the SEO do-it-all plugins could have an option to just "do it", rather than just saying "you need to fix this". If your optimizing a blog for SEO you are gonna want to do it anyway - it would be much easier for the vast majority of non-techy types to just click a checkbox (or just have it set to a decent default...)

      It looks like I'm just gonna have to offer a WP setup service, and outsource it. And train someone... I know a ton of "web designers", and not one of them knows diddly about SEO (even the expensive ones).
      Many pretty (or not) but essentially useless sites.
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      • Profile picture of the author pjCheviot
        Banned
        It looks like I'm just gonna have to offer a WP setup service, and outsource it. And train someone... I know a ton of "web designers", and not one of them knows diddly about SEO (even the expensive ones).
        Many pretty (or not) but essentially useless sites.
        What could be simpler than to explain to people to go to Settings -> Permalinks -> Check Box "Custom Structure" and type in "whatever you decide" (or copy & paste this) - Click Save??

        Nothing to install - no extra instructions on "how to install a plugin" etc etc . . .

        I've got to agree with all the rest - a plugin would be a major disadvantage surely??
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        • Profile picture of the author wcardinal
          man, you guys are grumpy. He's right, the permalinks part of wordpress could be more user-friendly.

          That admin page operates a little like a not-well-made plugin. There is no reason I should have to go to a separate page just to remember the code for /category/post-name and use a bunch of percentage signs. In fact, that should be one of the standard options.
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          • Profile picture of the author pjCheviot
            Banned
            Originally Posted by wcardinal View Post

            man, you guys are grumpy.
            You should see us all on a bad day :rolleyes:
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        • Profile picture of the author mj2059
          They are going to be installing plugins anyway - some SEO plugin, some sitemap plugin, some social bookmarking plugin probably, a theme, etc. most with the install then configure process.

          I agree with wcardinal that these should be standard options, but not gonna hold my breath for that to happen...
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          • Profile picture of the author VegasGreg
            Originally Posted by mj2059 View Post

            They are going to be installing plugins anyway - some SEO plugin, some sitemap plugin, some social bookmarking plugin probably, a theme, etc. most with the install then configure process.
            So they are cool and smart enough to install plugins, make the needed changes to the SEO plugins, set up the sitemap, configure their social bookmark settings, configure a theme....all that and yet they can't click a box and type 10 letters into one field???? :confused:

            I don't get it. You act like TYPING is hard to comprehend but installing and configuring plugins is easier.
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  • Profile picture of the author mj2059
    I have no problem - but that is how many of my extremely non-technical clients act. And no, I don't really "get it" either, but I deal with it often.
    And "configuration" is usually just tick a couple of check boxes ("I want Facebook and Digg..."), sitemap is just install the plugin...
    I always review the SEO settings anyway, but with good instructions they usually get the basics right to start. more detailed SEO setup is usually beyond them.

    So It all amounts to "get XYZ plugin" and maybe tick a couple of checkboxes, repeated a few times, and they seem to handle it OK.

    I think it must be the "scary looking" %tag% thing that gets them.
    And then, the few who manage it get the "scary,official" message about how it will slow down their blog.
    It generates more grief than all the other settings combined (except maybe "choose a theme" - which must be managed carefully - usually by getting them to ask "what do you recommend")
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    • Profile picture of the author xtrapunch
      Originally Posted by mj2059 View Post

      I always review the SEO settings anyway, but with good instructions they usually get the basics right to start. more detailed SEO setup is usually beyond them.
      If your clients are scared of a damn simple thing as typing, they are unlikely to be able to set things right with a plugin either.

      Anyway, WordPress allows you to choose the permalink structure. It's only when you need you own structure that you need to type/customize. WordPress' founder Matt recommends using either of the pre-set permalink structures. (I had clarified this with him directly.) Another popular custom URL structure is just using the post name for which you need to type "%postname%". Can it be any simpler. If your clients are not able to do even this, you can do this for them.
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  • Profile picture of the author mj2059
    OK - I'll summarize the answers so far:

    No
    followed by "Why can't your clients..." (I don't know, and trying to figure that out just makes my head hurt)

    I'll move on then - just deliver them them full, detailed and very complex instructions, which will prompt most to just ask me to do it for them. And then outsource it. These tend to very small businesses, very tight budgets - they take too much time away from more profitable clients, and I'm looking for ways to help them without taking up so much of my time. My experience with them is that this little issue causes more questions and problems for them than any other in setting up a WP site properly.
    I already have a couple of people I could outsource stuff like this too, but they are usually busy with other things. Time to expand - either add a part time resource or JV with someone who is looking for piecework.
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  • Profile picture of the author mj2059
    And thanks to all for the responses
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    • Profile picture of the author pjCheviot
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      Originally Posted by mj2059 View Post

      And thanks to all for the responses
      You are most welcome

      But I must admit - I'm bewildered :confused:

      All the best . . .
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  • Profile picture of the author SteveFinch
    Hi mj2059

    I do feel for you mate. Some clients can prove to be incredibly challenging. It always amazes me how they're happy to click check boxes and activate plugins, and yet crap themselves at the thought typing something they deem incredibly complex.

    In actual fact there might be an upsell there for you. Tell them how bad their link structure will look, and how you can put it right for $20.
    Hell you can outsource that to me if you like

    All the best
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Most of these will be on new setups, so configuring .htaccess won't be a problem.
    Could you explain this?

    When you set the 'nice' permalinks, WP is trying to create AND write the .htaccess file.
    You know that, right?

    By defualt there is NO .htaccess file in any WP installation. You know that, right?

    On many host servers creating writable files is not allowed. In cases like that WP will output the necessary code for the .htaccess in the bottom part of the permalink settings page and the user MUST:
    - create a .htaccess file (most Win machines won't even let them do it, so they end up with a htaccess.txt file)
    - copy & paste the code given by WP into the file
    - FTP the file to the server
    - rename it to remove to .txt extension
    - set the FTP to see the invisible files...

    And all this is not a problem according to you - but typing %damned_permalink_tag% is a problem.
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