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Update a BANS search query sitewide with phpMyAdmin

September 18, 2007 | Author: Mark | Filed under: Build a Niche Store Mods

Hi All -

Let me preface this tip with a warning that you should be comfortable moving around in your hosting package as well as the phpMyAdmin tool for modifying your database. I am also listing the directions for Hostgator only, as that is the most common hosting being used for BANS. If you are on a different host, I am sure they have phpMyAdmin somewhere, you will just need to check with them on the location of your database management tool.If you are not comfortable in either of these areas this may end up confusing you more than helping. Which is actually where all of us started at one point in time! I should also say that if you have already optimized your store - DONT DO THIS!! It will overwrite any changes you have made to the query field in your database. This method works well for a BRAND NEW BANS store that you have not yet optimized.

The problem I had:

Too many categories/Subcategories for my Niche. 

It was going to take me weeks to go through each category and subcategory making the query specific changes to assure the visitors ONLY saw relevant auctions to the term I was targeting. I chose a Niche that was found in a total of 17 categories - I know, not much of a Niche so to speak, but ALL 17 categories has products very specific to this, so it was fitting.The solution that worked for me:

Execute a raw sql statement in phpMyAdmin and change the query field to the same common keyword for ALL categories.

How it was done:  (Link to a short flash movie)
Before you begin, make a backup of your MySQL Database! (Link to short movie on how to do so)

1) Log into your cPanel account.
2) Click on the MySQL Database link.
3) Scroll to the bottom and click on the phpMyAdmin link What you are looking at is a tool used to make changes to your database in a somewhat user friendly format. **WARNING** If you are unsure about doing this, now is a good time to click the X in the upper right of the screen!! Making changes to your database **May** leave it useless and you will have to rebuild the site from scratch.

Note: If you are using a shared account (Like hostgator baby croc) you will need to choose the database you wish to change from the dropdown menu on the left side of the screen. Make SURE you choose the same database for the site you wish to change.

4) Click on the “categories” link on the left side of the page.
5) On the right side frame - click on the BOLD SQL link at the top. It is to the right of “Structure” and left of “Search“.

5) In the “Run SQL Query” text box, type:

UPDATE categories SET query = ’search_term’ 

Note: replace search_term with your niche search term.
Note: the single quote around your search_term is required. In my case, the site was about Dale Earnhardt collectibles and there were ALOT of categories that had items that fit the niche. My goal was to simply narrow down all the various categories into showing ONLY his collectibles, so I used the word ‘earnhardt’. This updated the entire database to use the query term earnhardt in every category, without having to go through each category one by one and do it manually!Glad to help if questions arise…

Mark

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 18th, 2007 and is filed under Build a Niche Store Mods. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.



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5 people have left comments

This is a great idea, unfortunately it’s not working for me. I’m getting an error message. I followed your instructions and clicked go and this is the error I’m getting:

#1054 - Unknown column ‘’test’’ in ‘field list’

note: I’m using version 1.3

I’m I missing a step?

Thanks

Christine wrote on October 3, 2007 - 2:09 pm |

Hi Christine -

Are you 100% sure you are in the correct db, and working in the correct table?

It actually looks like MySql is not understanding what you are typing in, did you use a copy/paste function, or type it directly?

UPDATE categories SET query = ’searchtermhere’

Mark

Mark wrote on October 3, 2007 - 2:55 pm |

Hi,
yes, I’m in the correct db. By table do you mean categories?
I clicked on the “categories” link on the left side of the page and then clicked on the BOLD SQL link at the top. Then I copied and pasted exactly what you have:
UPDATE categories SET query = ’searchtermhere’ and clicked GO…
am I supposed to put a checkmark on something?

Christine wrote on October 4, 2007 - 2:40 pm |

Hi Christine -

You are definitely in the right area and it sounds like you have done everything correct to this point.

Try typing the text into the query box versus copy/pasting. Your term should contain single quotes around it, just like in your last post.

You should then press GO

Note: What search term are you using? Is it a single word or multiple words? Any special characters such as hyphens or commas?

Thanks,

Mark

Mark wrote on October 4, 2007 - 3:10 pm |

Your links to the movies aren’t working. Would like to see them. Thanks

Fred wrote on November 23, 2007 - 11:38 pm |
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