...
You are then prompted to click on the link "download the backup file" to save your database in the SQL format (and .sql file extension), archived in BZip2 format (.bz2). Put your backup in a safe place, for you might need it at any given time. Furthermore, you can find these backups directly on your server, in the "backup" folder, under the custom-named "admin" folder.
CMS - Creating a Text Page
PrestaShop enables you create content pages just like you create product pages, using its CMS tool. The pages will appear to customers in the "Information" block on your homepage.
The CMS sub-tab presents you all the content pages that were previously created on your shop, for the currently selected category (by default, the home page).
Do not forget to create one version of each page for each of your supported languages! Click on the flag for each field in order to change language.
Creating a New CMS Page
Clicking the "Add a New Page" link takes you to this page:
Here we find the usual fields:
- CMS Category. You must first have created new categories, otherwise you will be limited to the home-page.
- Meta title. The name of the link to access the page.
- Meta description. Used to describe the content of this page for search engines.
- Meta Keywords. Used by search engines to understand what types of information the page is composed of.
- Friendly URL. Appears in the browser; also, make it easier for search engines.
- Page content. Must be entered to submit your information.
- Enable. You can choose to have you page public only once you are done proofreading it, in which case you page is saved as draft.
Once all the fields are filled out, click on "Save." You can then view the result directly on your online
store.
Here is a sample page:
Creating a New CMS Category
Click the usual link to create a CMS category – actually, a sub-category of the root category, "Home". You can create as many categories as needed.
!_Images^261-tools-cmsCategorieAddNew.png|border=1
- Name. The category title.
- Displayed. Whether the category (and its page) is available to the public, or hidden.
- Parent CMS category. The category under which this category is placed. By default, "Home". You can have an unlimited number of levels of categories.
- Description. Describes the category content.
- Meta title. The name of the link to access its pages.
- *Meta description *. Used to describe the content of this page for search engines.
- Meta keywords. Used by search engines to understand what types of information the category is composed of.
- Friendly URL. Appears in the browser; also, make it easier for search engines. This field is automatically filled as you enter the category name.
Click "Save and back to parents CMS category" to keep on configuring your CMS content.
Generators
This sub-tab contains two tools that generate complex server files for, so that you don't have to create them by hand – and risk breaking your shop.
.htaccess file generation
A .htaccess file (short for "hypertext access") is a server configuration file, mostly found on the Apache line of servers, and few others. It is commonly used to control folder authorization, URL rewriting, blocking, directory listing and cache control. Contrary to global configuration files, such as Apache's httpd.conf file, it can act locally, as its rules apply to the directory it is in, and its sub-directories.
Warning: since a .htaccess file only works with servers that support it (Apache, iPlanet, Zeus), DO NOT use this tool if your shop runs on any other server (IIS, nginx, lighttpd...).
This tool is mostly useful when you choose to use friendly URLs: it will generate the correct rules. It also adds a few optimization rules.
All fields are optional.
- Check the optimization box.
- Check the friendly URL box.
- Put your specific rules in the adequate text field.
- Click the "Generate .htaccess file" button
Warning: your current .htaccess will be delete and replaced by the one generated by PrestaShop! Be sure to copy/paste your specific configuration rules in the text-field!
Robots file generation
A robots.text file enables you to block specific automated bots and web spiders, which crawl the web in order to find more webpages to add to their company's servers. Some bots you want to have full access to your website, such as Google's or Yahoo's, and some others you'd rather not, such as spam bots, content stealers, e-mail collectors, etc. Note that the worst of bots do not respect this files directive, as it is purely advisory.
PrestaShop's robots.txt generation tools simply creates a file with exclusion directives for files and directories that are not meant to be public, and should not be indexed.
These rules apply to all bots (note the "User-agent: *" string).
If you want to add your own rules, do it after PrestaShop has generated this file, as it will delete any existing version of it.
Configuration Information
This sub-tab serves as a handy reminded of your PrestaShop configuration: version, server info, PHP version, MySQL version. All these prove really useful when you need to report an issue to the PrestaShop developers, or simply your webmaster.
Stores
PrestaShop provides a complete store-locating tool for your customers.
They can reach form by clicking on the box on the front-office:
You can choose how these stores are displayed in the front-office.
All your stores are listed in a handy list.
As usual, click "Add New" to reach the following form:
Fill-in as many of the fields as possible, as it will be displayed to your customers right within the map:
Webservice
A Web service is a method of communication between two electronic devices over a network. It relies on a known set of methods, formats and access rights, so as be able to use the webservice's content on any other authorized tool, and build upon the original tool.
You can enable PrestaShop webservice, so that third-party tools can access your data. This potentially makes it possible for interesting tools to help you or your customers better use your shop (such as mobile applications).
The configuration is pretty basic: if you don't want anyone to access your shop through third-party tools and apps, just keep it disabled.
Warning: For security reasons, make sure your shop supports SSL connection!
Not any app can access your store through the PrestaShop webservice: you decide which can, and what they can do. Every app as a unique connection key, with specific access rights.
You can add more with the usual "Add New" link and form:
- Key. A unique key. You can either create your own, or choose to use a generated one.
- Key description. A reminder of who that key is for, and what it gives access to
- Status. You can disable a key anytime.
- Permissions. You can choose among a wide array of permissions, either by section and by type of access. Some apps you'll want to only be able to view a handful of items, some others (for instance, ones that you would use) to be able to edit and delete just about everything. Choose wisely.