OpenSef for me was the best available option. I found it really easy to use but it lacks when it comes to working with CMB or some other components.

Then I decided to work with this one, the plugin for CMB makes it a real winner, as well as the constant updates and support. Really love the component.

One CONS though, the backend interface...it's a bit ugly and confusing. They should borrow the layout from OpenSEF. Other than that, excellent!!! I think that'd make it PERFECT

Thanks to the programmers! Excellent Job

I tried OpenSEF & Artio JoomSEF prior to this one. This one actually works. Try this one first and save yourself some hassle. Although the UI looks strikingly similar to Artio, it doesn't come with the adware. That's right - the free version of Artio buries advertisements for itself in your meta tags. If you're not into that, there is a hacked version by some Kangaroo company on here you can try. I had the same problem with those - it didn't consistently fix URLS. On the same page I'd have /article/birdfeed.html and for the readmore link it would re-write it to /article/birdfeed_2.html What's up with that? Try this module to avoid issues.

This is the cream of the crop for SEF components. After battling with outdated, obsolete and unsupported components (OpenSEF), those that sneakily add ads (Artio) and others that just don't work, this component is a revelation.

Does everything required, and just works! Especially valuable if you are running VirtueMart which other components couldn't cope with. Rewrites to sensible URLs with no magic numbers, content ids etc.

Excellent work!

This little gem of a plug-in is amazing. Like most other users in this thread, I had almost given up on the SEO capabilities of Joomla - until now.

One item that is of utmost importance - Make sure that you read the FAQ regarding the .htaccess file and how to modify it for third party plug-ins - otherwise you will spend hours beating your head against the desk. Not good for either the head or the desk, which both have a sizable dent in them.

After reading the FAQ (http://extensions.siliana.net/en/sh404SEF-and-url-rewriting/.htaccess-files-information.html) and following the instructions to the letter in rewriting the .htaccess file in a text editor - IT WORKS!

You can check out the results for yourself at www.evolisidprinters.com ... it is truly amazing.

Not only does it work, but I used the Google webmaster tools and JOOMAP (another component add-in) to create a google compatible sitemap of my new SEO enhanced site and uploaded it to google.

Thanks to the folks at siliana.net for the great plug-in and making my life much easier. I am sending a donation to support your project and would recommend that others using this tool do the same.

Ciao - Jim.

Works very smooth and fast unlike some other SEF extensions..

Thanks

SEF and user-friendly URLs are the stuff of dreams, but this is certainly a step in the right direction.

What loses it that final star is the complexity of the configuration. I'm sure it's all necessary, but it will put people off. Especially when they seem to have no effect (must post a query about that in the forum)!

But it does work, my site looks good, and I look forward to future versions.

I was trying to setup Artio OpenSEF since April 2007 and I just couldn't (Various errors) get it to work after going through the forum for months with no luck. Then came SH404SEF and saved the day. I removed Artio OpenSEF and installed SH404SEF. Installation was great. Configuration was Easy (actualy, I did not even have to configure it when I installed it), and it worked at first try like a charm. I did not see any cons about SH404SEF but saw a lot of pros. I would highly recommend using SH404SEF when you first setup your Joomla site and stick with it.

I have tried various SEF solutions for Joomla and this is by far the best. Easy install, great built in support for Community Builder, Fireboard, etc, and wonderful support!! I recommend this for anyone who runs a Joomla site.

I must say, I was very hesitant to download this component. Despite the many great reviews I still had second thoughts due to bad experience with past SEF URL components (causing components to not work, slowing down the site, steep learning curve). So I took a deep breath and clicked install...

It was the greatest decision I have made.

Not only is this component SIMPLE, it is FASTER and works FLAWLESSLY with my complex Joomla setup. The Developer has tweaked this component and has answered all my dumb questions on the forum with the same approach; lightning speed. This component has been tinkered away by so many brilliant minds and is a prime example of a successful opensource project!

Thanks Shumisa!

Had a question in the forum of "sh404SEF" within 10 minutes there was an answer from Yannick, the admin of sh404SEF. This club is really willing to help you.

Actually i kinda frustrated when looking for SEF component for joomla that work in Windows Server until i Found sh404SEF. This component even didnt need for us to rename htaccess.txt to .htaccess if you want to have SEF url. Just install component enable it , Rewriting mode? change to without .htaccess and enable SEF in Joomla Configuration and its DONE Cheers

Excellent support and easy to use extension. This is the must have SEO component.

If your on a shared server this is the extentsion to use! Even if your not...this is the one. The best tech support and the best SEF's. No doubt about it this is the one!

Lots of power here in the config and the ability to write your own metas or not. Since it does not overrun your MYSql data base there is no other way to go. Ecellant SEF's!

Lcdude
woodworlds.com

All I can bring myself to saying is:
Where have you been in all my Mambo and Joomla life!" ;-)

A million thanks and donation on it's way.

- Vince

My site recently had serious performance issues, which I was able to pinpoint to OpenSEF. When I disabled OpenSEF, my site worked fine. When I enabled it, links to my content slowed down to a crawl.

I was reluctant to install sh404SEF because I had read several articles from folks claiming OpenSEF was better. Now, OpenSEF does have a pretty admin panel,I'll admit that. But once I installed sh404SEF and configured it, I realized what some of the other reviewers here have said --- IT IS FAST! There was an immediate performance difference, where the content pages under OpenSEF were taking 10 to 15 seconds to load, the same pages under sh404SEF are now taking 1 to 2 seconds to load.

sh404SEF has a caching mechanism which OpenSEF lacks. It also dumps duplicate links to the same content which is very nice.

The admin panel for sh404SEF is not as pretty as OpenSEF, but with such nice performance, who really cares. Plus, the plugins for popular components like Community Builder are fantastic, giving you options on how the URLs for those components will be written.

Very nice component!

Scott
www.quirkee.com