Publishing your storefront

You can use a shop snippet on any number of your websites. Shop snippet language options are available in various languages:

  • Free accounts (Basic): Javascript, Typepad, Blogger
  • Pro accounts: All of the above plus PHP and ASP, or use plain HTML.
  • Enterprise and above: All of the above plus use XML, ATOM, CSV, and RSS2 versions of your shops.

Additionally, you could utilize third-party resources for Wordpress, Blogger, Typepad, and more.

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1. Popping snippet into your HTML

To publish a shop or any offers using Rakuten PopShops ShopBuilder you need to have access to the HTML of your website which generally requires FTP access or administrative privileges. Rakuten PopShops does not build and host websites so if you don't already have one you’ll need to find a host that supports Javascript or PHP and cURL and decide on a web publishing platform (WordPress, for example). If you run into issues with your shop not publishing correctly, ask your hosting company if cURL is supported and enabled.

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2. Using PHP

What is PHP? PHP is known as a server-side scripting language. It's a great solution for webmasters who don't want to hard-code HTML and want changes such as updated pricing, availability, etc to be reflected automatically in their websites. PHP is SEO-friendly because search engines see straight HTML. Additionally, it's useful even if you don't really understand how to code and wouldn't know a syntax if it bit you on the arm.

PHP (and CURL) is not complicated. Most hosts, like GoDaddy, DreamHost, etc are PHP-enabled (as long as you are not being hosted in a Windows environment).

To add a PHP snippet, simply follow these steps:

  • Save your web page with the extension ".php" instead of ".html".
  • If you have a Pro or Enterprise account, choose "PHP" in the "Pop it in" tab under "Choose a flavor"
  • Paste the PHP snippet in as you would with a JavaScript snippet (where you want your shop to appear)

That's all there is to it. If everything is configured correctly, this file will be parsed by PHP and the server will serve up straight HTML so that if you view source on your HTML page, it will be pure HTML. JavaScript is not a server-side include, so search engines just see code. Yet PHP is dynamic, so any price changes, etc will be reflected on your page automatically.

If your shop does not appear, check the following:

  • Does your web page end in ".php"?
  • Does your web host make you enable in to CURL or PHP? (Check with your host.)
  • Are you using a Windows (instead of Linux) hosting environement? (Check with your host.)

Instead of changing the extension to ".php" you may also (if you are feeling brave) modify/create an .htaccess file. Instructions can be found here: SEO Rules

More information can be found from the following sources.

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