vBulletin SEO Tips and SEO Questions Discuss vBulletin SEO Optimization Tips in the vBulletinSetup Information forums; It normally takes 24-48 hours (some times more) for bots to read the new robots.txt file and start adhering to it....

[Yogesh Sarkar]

It normally takes 24-48 hours (some times more) for bots to read the new robots.txt file and start adhering to it.

[CMartucci]

Originally Posted by Yogesh Sarkar

It normally takes 24-48 hours (some times more) for bots to read the new robots.txt file and start adhering to it.

Okay, thank you.

[cajunboy2208]

:fli rt::golf::g olf::golf::golf:

[RedMatrix]

You can add any of the following to your list:

(in alphabetical order for easy reading & searching

Disallow: /forums/admincp/
Disallow: /forums/archive/
Disallow: /forums/ads/
Disallow: /forums/attachments/
Disallow: /forums/cgi-bin/
Disallow: /forums/clientscript/
Disallow: /forums/cron.php
Disallow: /forums/cpstyles/
Disallow: /forums/customavatars/
Disallow: /forums/customeprofilepics/
Disallow: /forums/calendar.php
Disallow: /forums/editpost.php
Disallow: /forums/faq.php
Disallow: /forums/gab_redirect.php
Disallow: /forums/geek/
Disallow: /forums/includes/
Disallow: /forums/install/
Disallow: /forums/ioncube/
Disallow: /forums/image.php
Disallow: /forums/joinrequests.php
Disallow: /forums/login.php
Disallow: /forums/member.php
Disallow: /forums/modcp/
Disallow: /forums/newthread.php
Disallow: /forums/newreply.php
Disallow: /forums/online.php
Disallow: /forums/postings.php
Disallow: /forums/printthread.php
Disallow: /forums/payments.php
Disallow: /forums/profile.php
Disallow: /forums/private.php
Disallow: /forums/register.php
Disallow: /forums/reputation.php
Disallow: /forums/report.php
Disallow: /forums/signaturepics/
Disallow: /forums/subscription.php
Disallow: /forums/sendmessage.php
Disallow: /forums/testvb/
Disallow: /forums/tags/
Disallow: /forums/threadrate.php
Disallow: /forums/usercp.php
Disallow: /forums/poll.php
Disallow: /forums/sendmessage.php?do=
Disallow: /forums/search.php
Disallow: /forums/showgroups.php

[atcspaul]

Originally Posted by Brandon

well for 50$ I'll go over all the settings in vboptions, admincp and optimize Everything for an extra 25$ I'll go over all the vbseo settings..

That's about as easy I can make it ATM

ps. I let you know about this the first time I worked on your site also

you still doing this or someone in your staff maybe?

[Brandon Sheley]

Originally Posted by atcspaul

you still doing this or someone in your staff maybe?

I believe we already did this on your site

[atcspaul]

okay cool. i knew we did the one on vbseo but wasnt sure on the vbulletin side. i just did the one on the gzip the others were out of my league

[ArnyVee]

I've been tweaking things based on this thread and I think it's been working!

[Venture]

Hi all,

These tips look very helpful. Are they all still relevant to 3.7.0?

Also, I run VBSeo..should I disable it before I attempt any of this stuff?

Thanks, great thread..please keep posting the tips!

[Brandon Sheley]

Originally Posted by Venture

Hi all,

These tips look very helpful. Are they all still relevant to 3.7.0?

Also, I run VBSeo..should I disable it before I attempt any of this stuff?

Thanks, great thread..please keep posting the tips!

yes most should be relevant with the newest vbulletin version

and no need to disable vbseo when making changes.

the important things of the list would probably be something like...

• move attachments, avatars, sigs, profile pics out of the DB and into the FTP
• add a robot.txt file
• and just optimizing the guest view of the forum
• with vbseo, make sure you have your Relevant Replacements setup

[Luigi]

#7 Disable Guest/Unregistered Users from viewing "Who's Online" and "Search" Functions

I understand the point of this from a SEO perspective, but do you guys feel that not having these two functions available to guests on the site hurts new member registration? By that I mean:

1) Guests will potentially use the search feature, and might like what they find on the site. Result will register and stay longer.
2) Guests like to see lots of people online: Result believe its an active forum and register and stay longer

Thoughts?

[1kether1]

Originally Posted by Luigi

#7 Disable Guest/Unregistered Users from viewing "Who's Online" and "Search" Functions

I understand the point of this from a SEO perspective, but do you guys feel that not having these two functions available to guests on the site hurts new member registration? By that I mean:

1) Guests will potentially use the search feature, and might like what they find on the site. Result will register and stay longer.
2) Guests like to see lots of people online: Result believe its an active forum and register and stay longer

Thoughts?

RE: #1
Take this for what it is worth, but if I *have* to take the time to register to use the search feature of a site, then I am probably interested enough to stay on that site and return. If I can find the information as a guest, then there is no reason to register and take part in the discussion. JMHO.

Cheers,
Bruce

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Originally Posted by Luigi

I understand the point of this from a SEO perspective, but do you guys feel that not having these two functions available to guests on the site hurts new member registration? By that I mean:

1) Guests will potentially use the search feature, and might like what they find on the site. Result will register and stay longer.
2) Guests like to see lots of people online: Result believe its an active forum and register and stay longer

Thoughts?

I agree with you on the search aspect though I have enabled captcha to ensure that rogue bots don't bring the site down.

With respect to users online, well it can and can not have an effect on registration. However it does put extra stress on your server.

[Luigi]

Originally Posted by Brandon

5. Move Avatars and Profile Pics to the File System

As with the Attachments above, but the Avatars are on every post, so cause a burden to the server whenever a post is viewed.

To move them to the filesystem, chmod your forums/customavatars and forums/customprofilepics directories to 777.
Go to the AdminCP and expand the Avatars menu.
Click User Picture Storage Type.
Choose to Move Avatars and Profile Pics to the File System.

Avatar Path: /home/*username*/public_html/forums/customavatars

Avatar URL: /forums/customavatars

Profile Pic Path: /home/*username*/public_html/forums/customprofilepics

Profile Pic URL: /forums/customprofilepics

Would you folks recommend moving the signature images to a file system too? I have members that enjoy using signature banners.

-Luigi

[IvyKeepMommy]

Do these optimization tips continue to hold true for vB 3.7? Or should there be changes based on the newer release?

Originally Posted by Luigi

#7 Disable Guest/Unregistered Users from viewing "Who's Online" and "Search" Functions

I understand the point of this from a SEO perspective, but do you guys feel that not having these two functions available to guests on the site hurts new member registration? By that I mean:

1) Guests will potentially use the search feature, and might like what they find on the site. Result will register and stay longer.
2) Guests like to see lots of people online: Result believe its an active forum and register and stay longer

Thoughts?

I would support the first option.

The second, I'm concerned about to some degree. Some people put their real names on the board, and it may open them up for unwanted communication.

But a board that clearly has plenty of posts would surely make folks curious if the topics are of interest to them.

[glennybee]

I think you're getting confused with the 'What's Going On' section of forumhome and the actual 'Who's Online' page.

[ArnyVee]

Originally Posted by Brandon

5. Move Avatars and Profile Pics to the File System

As with the Attachments above, but the Avatars are on every post, so cause a burden to the server whenever a post is viewed.

To move them to the filesystem, chmod your forums/customavatars and forums/customprofilepics directories to 777.
Go to the AdminCP and expand the Avatars menu.
Click User Picture Storage Type.
Choose to Move Avatars and Profile Pics to the File System.

Avatar Path: /home/*username*/public_html/forums/customavatars

Avatar URL: /forums/customavatars

Profile Pic Path: /home/*username*/public_html/forums/customprofilepics

Profile Pic URL: /forums/customprofilepics

Is this screenshot showing correctly based on this step?

DatabaseToFileSystem.jpg

[Arrogant-One]

4. Move Attachments to the File System

Stock vBulletin Attachments are stored in the Database. Large attachments or frequent viewing of them can cause a strain.

To move them to the File System, create an attachments directory above your public_html (at the same level as it.. /root/username/public_html | root/username/attachments) and CHMod it 777.

By placing it at this level, we prevent anyone from being able to access the attachments directly (ie: not through vBulletin).

Next, go to the AdminCP and expand the Attachments menu.
Click on Attachment Storage Type.
Move your attachments out of the database and into the file system.

Attachment Path: /home/*username*/attachments

I'd like more information on this.

I have a chess mod installed on my site. Users upload a pgn file (very similiar to a text file), and then post their post. When they post the chess viewer appears as an attachment and displays their pgn file.

For some reason all attachments are being saved or loaded here:

Index of /pgn_games

Sometimes users get an error message when posting, possibly because so many pgn attachments have been saved already.

Does the above quote offer some hope to reduce the overall load?

Alex

[katherine]

Good collections of vBulletin Optimisation Tips.

___________________________________
pay per click management

[mariocaz]

Hi guys,

Please can anybody explain me better how can I do this step ??

5. Move Avatars and Profile Pics to the File System

As with the Attachments above, but the Avatars are on every post, so cause a burden to the server whenever a post is viewed.

To move them to the filesystem, chmod your forums/customavatars and forums/customprofilepics directories to 777.
Go to the AdminCP and expand the Avatars menu.
Click User Picture Storage Type.
Choose to Move Avatars and Profile Pics to the File System.

Avatar Path: /home/*username*/public_html/forums/customavatars

Avatar URL: /forums/customavatars

Profile Pic Path: /home/*username*/public_html/forums/customprofilepics

Profile Pic URL: /forums/customprofilepics

Do I have to create a new folder for the avatars and pics ??? or only I habe to set that permission of that folders and then setup those options in the ACP ???

Thank you for all your help!!!

Mario

[Brandon Sheley]

Originally Posted by mariocaz

Hi guys,

Please can anybody explain me better how can I do this step ??



Do I have to create a new folder for the avatars and pics ??? or only I habe to set that permission of that folders and then setup those options in the ACP ???

Thank you for all your help!!!

Mario

nope, those folders should be there already.
You'll need to create a folder for your attachments, but nothing else.

[mariocaz]

Hi Brandon,

About this tips which ones you consider are the most important to do it ?

I don´t let to put attachments in my forum ( All-Reefs ), so I don´t need that step.

For the avatars only I have to set that in the ACP and recheck the permissions of that folder ?, only to confirm.

Also I asked to my hosting to put and enable the GZIP to do also that tip.

I have problems with my forum becasue I pay a shared hosting this is my plan:

Xpress Hosting - Plan de Web Hosting xTra

And this is my forum, check it please: All-Reefs


And my hosting yesterday suspend my account becasue they told me that my forum is consuming a lot of resources in the server, so I have chance from today to monday to optimize at the maximum my forum, because if not again will be suspended.
So I am very worried for this situation. :tissue:

So what else could you recommend to do in my site??

Also I see this tip in this link:
http://forum.vbulletinsetup.com/newr...wreply&p=61374

Hi guys,

Please help me, I want to know if this step-tip is very useful and recomended to do it in the forum ??, and how it helps ???

* vB_Datastore_Filecache: You may use the file system to cache your Datastore and improve performance. To do this Open your config.php file in your includes folder and find:
PHP Code:
// $config['Datastore']['class'] = 'vB_Datastore_Filecache';

and simply remove the two
PHP Code:
//

before
PHP Code:
$config['Datastore']['class'] = 'vB_Datastore_Filecache';

to enable Filesystem caching of your datastore. Make sure that you have /includes/datastore/datastore_cache.php set to 777 so that it may write to the file.

I have a little fear to do it!!! Only I have to edit that part in the config.php and then change permission to 777 to that folder and that is all ???

but I don´t know what could happen if I do it ? and if its recommended to do it or not ?

Thank you so much in advance for all your awesome help in this!

Mario

[mariocaz]

Oh I forgot to ask you.... I have 3.7.3 version also do u recommend me to update to 3.8.1 and this also will help me to my problem or only will help me with security issues ??

And someone else recommended me to repair and optimize the tables of the DB, what do you think about this ??

Really I am desperate, thank you again dear Brian!

[mariocaz]

Brandon, please help me!!!

[Mike54]

Mario, have you discussed with your host what specific resources you are over-taxing?

Have you discussed with your host what they would see as a possible solution to the problems?

I cannot read Spanish, so it's difficult to see exactly what your hosting plan offers. But it is quite common for hosts to over-sell their shared hosting plans and you may be a victim of this very issue.

Will your budget allow a larger hosting plan, or possibly a VPS?

[mariocaz]

Hi Mike,

First thank you for answer me my friend.

Yes my hosting told me that I have to optimize my vb forum to don´t have problems of consume a lot of resources in the server (memory and processamient)

They also told me that my forum is fine in the plan that I have right now because I have a lot of space free and also I am not using all the bandwidth that I have each month.

So in a few words only I need to optimize my forum to the maximum.

Right now I don´t have the money to pay a VPS, also I know if I optimize my forum my actual plan hosting is fine for my forum.

[Mike54]

Originally Posted by mariocaz

Yes my hosting told me that I have to optimize my vb forum to don´t have problems of consume a lot of resources in the server (memory and processamient)

They also told me that my forum is fine in the plan that I have right now because I have a lot of space free and also I am not using all the bandwidth that I have each month.

Do you see what this is saying?

You're burning up too many resources with your site, yet your site is fine for the plan you are using.

How can both of these conditions be true?

[mariocaz]

The hosting told me that my forum is fine with the space and the bandwith that my hosting plan give me.

Buuutttt is consuming a lot of resources in the server, a lot of memory and processing.

[Triff]

Originally Posted by Brandon Sheley

4. Move Attachments to the File System
...
To move them to the File System, create an attachments directory above your public_html (at the same level as it.. /root/username/public_html | root/username/attachments) and CHMod it 777.
...
Attachment Path: /home/*username*/attachments

I'm having problems with understanding where to create this directory.

My forums are located at http://basicroleplaying.com/forum/ and have the path /home/content/t/r/i/trifletraxor/html/forum

I created a directory called "attachments" at http://basicroleplaying.com/home/content/t/r/i/trifletraxor/, which is where a directory called "html" also is located.

When trying to move the attachments I get this message:
"We attempted to write a test file to /home/content/t/r/i/trifletraxor/attachments, but we were unsuccessful. Please verify that the web server has write/delete permissions for this path.",

and when using a pathfinder script I get this path for my new attachments directory:
/home/content/t/r/i/trifletraxor/html/home/content/t/r/i/trifletraxor/attachments

What am I doing wrong?

Sverre.