Moving forward with Multi-Domain Setups

In Joomla there is a sequential approach that needs to happen when setting up a Multi-Domain environment.

Of course, the first part is running down the extensions you need, testing them, learning them, implementing them.

The second part is a continuation of the first.  More specifically though, you want to build out your Array of Resources.  I would prefer this to be a checkbox rather than a Bullit List but here we go.

First Requirements

  • Stable and Controlable, generally Linux based Server - lots to this but I can help.
  • Joomla Up to Date - should be easy
  • As many of your Extensions up to date - should be easy unless some subscriptions have expired - move on
  • Disable or Remove unused Extensions -  Many things you can do under the "Manage" tab on the backend of Joomla

Add Specifically

  • Virtual Domains
  • Smart Search (buildin)
  • OS Map (joomlashack)
  • Other Mappers for testing
    • Aimy SiteMap is helpful.  JSitemap is helpful, XML Sitemap Pro - external, is helpful
      • turn them off when you are not using the extras and don't submit to Search engines unless you need a second one for some reason.  Lots to discuss there.
  • OS Content (a great way to start your content buildout)
  • OS Meta (a great way to be sure you have covered your bases)

Remove:  

  • Search Modules

Add:

  • Smart Search Categories for each Menu
  • Smart Search Modules to each Menu
  • Custom Module that links to each of your Virtual Domains
  • Second Custom Module with Restricted Access for your in development Virtual Domains.
  • You can also do this with Articles but I find it too slow
  • SSL Certificate(s) for your domains (assumably applied in Apache)
  • Google Analytics Code to each Template being used by a Domain, and segregated to that Domain
  • Site Map registrations to google for each Domain  (you need to organize yourself here with Menus)

Test:

  • You will test alot, so keep your initial structures as simple as possible
  • Be Patient and Persistent.
  • You should do the same tests on each of your domains sequentially.
  • When all is working, move on to the next
  • Keep a good Checklist for Issues.  You can even write notes to your system with restricted access

Know:

  • You will get errors if you are repeating content in your menus the wrong way.
  • That means,  do not include the same content in two different Menu Items exactly the same way.  One needs to take precedence.
  • Move from one subject to the next throughly
  • Joomla ACL is very powerful.  It is complicated.  It is useful.  It is not always obvious what changes, so test the differences in settings.  
  • You generally won't kill your site, but sometimes you may need to remove something you just added that made your site stop working.
  • Big Changes should be preceeded with a System Backup that you can restore from and which you know how to restore from
  • I repeat:  Big Changes should be preceeded with a System Backup, manually triggered.
  • Have a Daily Backup system in place as well.

Check:

  • Your Virtual Domains Menu Filtering regularly.
    • If you add Menus Elements in Joomla you must add them to the "don't filter" (Menu Filter) set if you want to see them.
    • You can spend extended periods of time thinking your system is broken just because of this or some "bad key stroke sequence there.

Comment

    • An update to Virtual Domains was done recently, and it is clear that there can be more done.
    • All that said, it works very well and can save $ Time and Mind.  
    • Check out that Formatting Trick.  Never had 2 Bullets stacked before.
    • Have some fun and have some things to talk about other than your web site  (I am taking notes).
Building Joomla's Fields Component when it does not exist in your System