URL Rewriting for .ASPX on 2003 Server?

aspx rewrite 2003 search engines

[ericwp3]

Hi all,

I have a client who's recently launched a new website, written in .NET/.aspx running on a Win 2003 server.

The client has hired me to help with their search engine optimization.

I have suggested to the client that they install a plugin of sorts, such as spiderbait, which will convert all the cryptic, dynamic characters to something that more digestible by search engine spiders and robots. As is, it doesn't appear that the spiders are getting past the homepage.

As is, the client's urls look like this:

http://www.somecompany.com/ProductsList.aspx?ProductCategoryID=1
&ProductCategoryName=somecompany%20Herbal%20Coffees

What we want the urls to look like is this:

http://www.somecompany.com/herbal_coffees

According to a recent post, .Net has an included rewrite feature that just needs to be "turned on." Is this true? If not, can someone recommend a decent package/plug-in out there that will help us achieve our goal of making these .aspx urls more search engine friendly?

For what it's worth, the client purchased spiderbait only to discover it works on Win2K servers running .aspx, but not on Win2003 servers :-/

Thanks in advance for your God-like assistance.

Your humble minion,

Eric

[edited by: DaveAtIFG at 8:03 pm (utc) on Dec. 5, 2003]
[edit reason] Fixed sidescroll [/edit]

[korkus2000]

If you don't mind an aspx extension then you can use asp.net's built in rewritting.

Here are some other tools:
[webmasterworld.com...]

[edited by: DaveAtIFG at 8:19 pm (utc) on Dec. 5, 2003]
[edit reason] Edited at korkus2000 request, for continuity [/edit]

[ericwp3]

Korkus, you are a GOD! I quiver in awe at your feet.

Your humble minion,

Eric

P.S.

Thanks!

[ericwp3]

Hi Korkus,

According the my client's programmer, who I don't entirely trust, the .aspx rewrite function you speak of doesn't exist. It's only in .asp.

If you can point me to documentation or specifics that tell me otherwise, I will gladly name my second-born after you, even if it's a girl :-)

I need some ammo here.

Thanks.

Eric

[markus007]

It exists because i'm using it.

[ericwp3]

Since I'm not the guy doing the actual implementation, any specifics(ammo) you can give me is appreciated.

Can you point me to some reference materials, articles, or specific items that can be referenced in the .NET/Win2003 documentation?

Please?

Thanks!

Eric

[korkus2000]

Do you mean he says that the built in function doesn't exist in .Net?

[msdn.microsoft.com...]
[15seconds.com...]
[csharpfriends.com...]

I don't know why he thinks classic asp had it. Perplexing reply from your client's programmer. No ammo needed, he is just grossly misinformed.

And korki is fine if its a girl ;)

[ericwp3]

Korkus,

I quiver in awe at your feet ;-)You are a GOD!

This is exactly what I've been looking for. All along, I've suspected this programmer to be one of those "black box" types. "Oh nooooooo, that can't be done, because I say so...." Hah! I think *she* either doesn't have the time or doesn't want to make the time to find the real answer. What's wrong, our money's not good enough? Hmmph!

Here I am, a front-end, designer/marketing guy, yet I'm finding the answers to these questions for them. Don't get me wrong. I've been a web developer for ten years and I know my way around. I'm just not a programmer. In my opinion, they should have figured this out ages ago.

We started this process well over a month ago. Three days ago, they told me that SpiderBait couldn't be integrated because it wasn't compatible with win2003....Then I discovered webmasterworld....Where I learned about the built-in rewrite functions that "don't exist." :-)

Thanks for all your help. I appreciate your time.

Eric

As for the kid, Korkus or Korki it is ;-) Thanks again.