Convert SMF Forum

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  • AffGuardDog
    Senior Member
    • Apr 2007
    • 115

    Convert SMF Forum

    Hello ~

    I want to convert my SMF forum to vBulletin. I get a LOT of SE traffic for my forum, though, and I don't want to lose that. What do I need to do to make sure I don't lose that?

    I think the main issue is ensuring that when the old URL is accessed, that the user is forwarded to that post in the new vBulletin system.

    Thanks!
  • Quillz
    Senior Member
    • Nov 2004
    • 2787
    • 5.0.X

    #2
    Once you purchase a license, you can use the ImpEx system which will convert SMF into vB.
    Forums

    Comment

    • Sysop9001
      Senior Member
      • Jul 2005
      • 254
      • 3.8.x

      #3
      Originally posted by Quillz
      Once you purchase a license, you can use the ImpEx system which will convert SMF into vB.
      Yes, but anyway the URLs changed.
      You lose the present URL after importing your data in to vBulletin board, but Impex developer or vB developers can explain best that and probabily I am in error....I hope for you.

      Comment

      • AffGuardDog
        Senior Member
        • Apr 2007
        • 115

        #4
        Yes, I have used Impex before... even to convert SMF - so that part I am aware of..

        What I am interested in is what to do with the former URLS from SMF. I, obviously, do not want to lose rankings or piss off the almighty Google This is my main concern and I cannot purchase vBulletin for this site if I cannot resolve this issue.

        The last site that I converted with Impex got removed from the index shortly thereafter and took a LONG time to get re-indexed. I have never gotten back the SERPS that I once had and I do not wish this to happen again.

        BUT - I want to move to VB!

        Comment

        • Quillz
          Senior Member
          • Nov 2004
          • 2787
          • 5.0.X

          #5
          I don't think ImpEx changes your URL, as it literally converts one system to another. You can specify where you want the imported data to go, though.
          Forums

          Comment

          • AffGuardDog
            Senior Member
            • Apr 2007
            • 115

            #6
            Originally posted by Quillz
            I don't think ImpEx changes your URL, as it literally converts one system to another. You can specify where you want the imported data to go, though.
            Impex does convert the forums - but vBulletin URLS are different from SMF urls. This is why the URLS change.

            Unless I am missing something here??

            Comment

            • Reeve of Shinra
              Senior Member
              • Sep 2001
              • 4325
              • 4.0.0

              #7
              The urls will be different because the systems have different file names.

              There is a 301 redirect script that comes with Impex. I'm not fully sure how that works but I believe it was added in part due to concerns like yours. Hopefully someone with real knowledge of this will come along to address your query.
              Plan, Do, Check, Act!

              Comment

              • AffGuardDog
                Senior Member
                • Apr 2007
                • 115

                #8
                Originally posted by Reeve of Shinra
                There is a 301 redirect script that comes with Impex. I'm not fully sure how that works but I believe it was added in part due to concerns like yours. Hopefully someone with real knowledge of this will come along to address your query.


                I hope so!!! I would love that script and that is exactly what I was looking for

                Impex experts, please help! I want to purchase vB today for this site, if possible, and definitely need this implemented in order to do so.

                Thanks so much.

                Comment

                • AffGuardDog
                  Senior Member
                  • Apr 2007
                  • 115

                  #9
                  Anyone have any help for me?

                  Comment

                  • Sysop9001
                    Senior Member
                    • Jul 2005
                    • 254
                    • 3.8.x

                    #10
                    Originally posted by AffGuardDog
                    Anyone have any help for me?
                    If you have any valid vB license, open a support ticket for this that your question concern the help.

                    Comment

                    • AffGuardDog
                      Senior Member
                      • Apr 2007
                      • 115

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Masiello
                      If you have any valid vB license, open a support ticket for this that your question concern the help.


                      Yes, I have 2 valid vb licenses already, but since this is pre-sales support - shouldn't some vb expert come in here and give me a definitive answer prior to purchase? I would think so, so I am waiting for that answer from the vB clan.

                      Comment

                      • Steve Machol
                        Former Customer Support Manager
                        • Jul 2000
                        • 154488

                        #12
                        What your question?
                        Steve Machol, former vBulletin Customer Support Manager (and NOT retired!)
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                        Mankind is the only creature smart enough to know its own history, and dumb enough to ignore it.


                        Comment

                        • AffGuardDog
                          Senior Member
                          • Apr 2007
                          • 115

                          #13
                          My question is:

                          If I convert SMF to vBulletin, how can I ENSURE that all my previous SMF links are redirected to the proper URL in vBulletin?

                          For example, If I have a thread about Guard Dogs in SMF - and that thread is viewed a lot in the SMF forum and indexed & ranked in the SE's.... I want to make sure that when the surfer clicks on the link in Google - they go to the proper thread in the new vBulletin version of the forum (after Impex conversion, of course)

                          Pretty simple really, but I can't find any way that Impex does this. So - is there something I have to do to ensure this is the case??? Is there some automatic tool to do this that I know nothing about??? What is the protocol here?

                          Comment

                          • Jerry
                            Senior Member
                            • Dec 2002
                            • 9137
                            • 1.1.x

                            #14
                            There is a custom 404/301 script that comes with ImpEx in the tools folder.

                            Talked about though this link :



                            Setting that to respond with a 301 will update the SE to the new location as well as redirecting the incoming request.
                            I wrote ImpEx.

                            Blog | Me

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