Optimizing Miva

[rogerd]

I was referred by a WebmasterWorld member to a newsletter article that suggested that Google discriminated against Miva Merchant shops, and that in particular the "Store_Code=" in the query string was a killer. The author proposed that disabling Miva's multiple store feature would make the pages more Google-friendly by eliminating the store code element in the query string.

From my own experience, I have found "stock" Miva pages do not do particularly well in Google. The templates they use are difficult or impossible to optimize - you can change some page info, but not all of it, and in particular the page titles are not customizable.

I haven't personally tested the "Store" setting, although that suggestion is intriguing. Even without a Google downgrade for that parameter, though, it makes for a longer query string. Google seems to downgrade dynamic pages with query strings in general, and long query strings are even more problematic. That's two strikes right there.

The key to optimizing a Miva site, IMO, is to create plenty of good static content. Your Miva-generated product pages are unlikely to set the world on fire. I'd be happy for someone to contradict me, though - for sites with hundreds or thousands of products, making the Miva dynamic pages perform well would be a big plus.

Searching for ways to improve Miva's SE performance, I did find a very cheap plug-in that lets you set page titles using both text and Miva variables. I also ran across a tool that apparently copies your Miva pages into a group of static mirror pages over which you have much more control; this looks interesting, but perhaps a bit confusing for visitors and carrying a risk of duplicant content.

Any other tips for making this elephant dance? Also, if a store code is turned on, does anyone know how to turn it off? My interest in testing that concept has been piqued by the original article, but in Miva's ultra-friendly interface I've not found a switch.

[jatar_k]

I scripted it, built a php parser that gets the miva page and then cuts off the top and bottom of the miva html page and tacks on the header and footer from the rest of your site. It rewrites all the links as well so images display properly and further links are correct.

You end up with static urls, spiderable links, full meta control and your miva content displayed however you want. It takes a long time to setup though.

[Marcia]

One of the members here worked on the script itself and it makes "normal" pages -but only for his own site. There's a module available out there that does it.

I just excluded the cart pages, did flat HTML pages and the site does fine with only a few pages.

[jasonh]

I think you can find out all you need to know about Google and Miva Merchant by searching for that phrase (google and miva merchant) in Google itself. There are a few articles that cover it I think.

[jasonh]

I just did an advanced search in Google for all urls with merchant.mv, and Google DOES NOT have a problem with query strings persay. It is just the extra ampersand symbol. Thus removing the store code is the answer.

I also did some product searches based on some of the stores listed in Google, and it looks like Miva Merchant pages do just fine.