All posts by localsplashdev

Background:

We recently redesigned our corporate websites here at localsplash.com and over at relevantads.com. The problem we encountered was that we had tested our new designs at a different URL then at localsplash.com. Therefore we needed to change the URL from test.localsplash -> localsplash.com.

After quite a long time of searching for a WORKING example we finally were able to piece the process together from various blogs. Hopefully this will help other people who might have been as stumped as we were with this process.

Disclaimer: These steps imply you know how to use very basic ftp and command line skills and have access to modify via database, ftp and ssh.

Configuration:

We have a LiquidWeb server with cPanel running Apache and WordPress. We decided to switch a domain from http://test.domain.com to http://www.domain.com.

Steps:

1) Modify Apache to recognize the URL. The httpd.conf file is located at the following path:
/usr/local/apache/conf/httpd.conf

Do a “ctl+F” and look in the file for “old.domain.com” or “domain.com” (should be in two places) and modify the URLs- ServerName “newdomain.com” ServerAlias “www.newdomain.com” to your new URLS. We used subdomain but the process is the same whether you are changing from a subdomain or not.

2) Save and restart Apache. This process involves connecting via a telnet/ssh client such a Putty
a)Connect via client by typing username and password
b)Find correct directory below and restarting Apache
/usr/local/apache/bin/apachectl restart

3) Modify wp-config.php
File is located in /home/[first eight characters of existing domain name]/public_html/
Hard code the variable $table_prefix to be equal to the old site value; i.e.:
$table_prefix = ‘testdomaincom_’;
HINT: Place this new line under this line “$table_prefix = $table_prefix . ‘_’;” in the wp-config file

4) Modify WP Database; set the value of site & home to the new domain name.
a) Find your database and search in your “domain_options” table for the 2 rows named “Site” and “Home” and change them from “http://olddomain.com”->”http://newdomian.com”

If you have any questions please ask them in the comment section below and we will be more than happy to help. Thanks

In the passage of time, there may be various reasons to remove your involvement with a business that you’ve previously claimed. It may have unfortunately gone out of business, been handed over to another person to manager, or otherwise. In one situation, we had another business owner take over and they went on to claim their listing in Google. To prevent our content and information from being shown, we subsequently went to remove the verified listing from our account. When doing so, I was presented with the option to completely remove the listing from Google Maps along with a requirement for additional PIN verification. It should be noted that the listing had already been verified, showing statistics and in good standing.

We’re not clear if this secondary verification was required because another account claimed the listing or if Google relied upon other signals that affirm that the businesses is alive and kicking. Previously, in other situations, we had carte blanch to remove any verified listing from Maps. In any event, kudos Google for this additional security measure. This essentially prevents unlawful business listing hijackers to maliciously remove competitors from the Maps.

Anyway, we selected the correct, first option.

In turn, after a few minutes, our content was removed from the record and the listing compressed to the new business owners information.

Last Week, while doing some regular updates to some Google Places listings, we stumbled upon a message from Google that notified us that the address did not have a clear map marker location and asked us to please correct it or mark it as accurate. Now, in my years of working with Google Maps I have never had this message from Google where they admitted they were not sure about the correct map marker location and wanted ME to correct it.

If you login, and edit your business listing, you will see a link that reads, “Fix incorrect marker location” on the right side of the page. Then you can click and drag the red marker to the new location and click save. Google Maps will then register that update and in the future note the new location for your business’s listing in Google Maps.

All posts by localsplashdev

How to Change your URL in WordPress

Google Places Allows More Intelligence in Listing Removal

Google Unsure of Map Marker Location Accuracy