Question

Taxonomy / architecture question: Client installs gutter guards - metal perforated things which keep leaves and falling crap from blocking gutters. Using CPTUI, I've set up a hierarchical taxonomy for the type of debris which can clog a gutter: Pine tree > pine cones Pine tree > pine needles Oak tree > oak tassels Oak tree > oak leaves Sediment Moss Flowers Seeds Insects Etc Qu1. How would you incorporate tree types (deciduous, evergreen etc) if my list of debris isn't all just trees? Qu2. Can you cross-connect two taxonomies where only part of set 1 and set 2 overlap? Plugin or simple solution please as there's 3 of us using this with different abilities. Trying to avoid data redundancy, duplication and user error. Thanks.  

Answer 1

The first question you've kind of already answered in your example. Using WP hierarchical taxonomies (ie "categories"), it could be Evergreen > pine tree > pine cones; Deciduous > Oak Tree > acorns. (In practice I suspect you'd eliminate the middle category of those. ) The remaining non-tree debris would only have a single level of taxonomy, as you've shown.  

Comments

Can you think of any filtering examples where this would hurt me though? eg. How can I show all tree related things?  

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= evergreen OR deciduous OR whatever ?  

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Then start the hierarchy a level higher: Tree > Evergreen > pine needles; Tree > Deciduous > acorns.  

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Ok thanks, I was thinking this, but wondered if it was too long and clunky

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It does sound rather long - I'm guessing there aren't hundreds of pages of content, to be so finely categorised. How about Tree > pine needles; Tree > pinecones; Tree > acorns. etc?  

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@manhattan the tree variety is necessary as they have different issues for the gutter, hence different solutions. Its for blog content and possibly later expanding to custom post types and filtering type uses

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So you want to tie the solution to the category, not to the item in the category? Let's say pine needles need product range X. If you want to display suitable products on the pine needle page, you could store "product range X" as a custom field in your CPT, and use that to drive displaying products from product range X on that page. What I'm saying is, use taxonomy to organise your content, but not necessarily to drive the recommended solution. That allows you flexibility in the future, if you later find an exception, like the day you meet semi-deciduous trees :-) .  

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@manhattan yes its got multiple uses, like you mention. Show relevant blog posts and case studies on a particular page, talk about which products are good for which trees, many 3D ways to utilise it. Definitely - its for organising in the back end, and filtering - not for a breadcrumb trail, nav or anything like that.  

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I want to say: I have oak trees and maple trees, which products can I use? I suffer with those helicopter seeds clogging my current gutter guard, can you recommend a better product? Insects are my issue but not trees.  

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Or you could use tags for product ranges, instead of a custom field. Might save time and might integrate more easily with whatever you're doing next - displaying relevant products or blog posts.  

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We had tags - there were over 100, hence breaking it down better now.  

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I mean, use categories for the debris types, but at the same time, use tags for product ranges. Perhaps you understood that already.  

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Thank you, yep. It's been helpful to debate it. :)

Answer 2

Second question, if I've understood it correctly - no, not with hierarchical taxonomies (categories). This is where you use tags instead.  

Comments

My meaning there was Set 1 - tree types, Set 2 - debris types. And there is an overlap. So like when you click a drop down list and only some options are available, based on the first item selected

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Corina, yes.  

Answer 3

You're way down the rabbit hole if this is for local service business.  

Comments

I don't think so, I'm planning to take over the world ;) Seriously, I get great results with strong architecture and my client loves the idea

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It's overkill. For real.  

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The entire midwest, physical locations?  

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Entire midwest, yes

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With physical locations?  

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No - he travels to the client

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He's going to drive 500 miles to put in some gutter guards?  

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That's not what the post is about. I'm not debating how he runs his business.  

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Haha. No were debating the efficacy of your solution. Or we were. Hubris is always the last lesson learned. Let us know how it goes.  

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I don't really see what you're trying to achieve. You've added nothing. I'm confident in my strategy as its got my clients page 1 results every time. I'm just asking for input in case someone can foresee an issue in using what I am creating.  

Answer 4

Personally I'd if though pine cones and pine leaves would both fall under pine tree's.  

Comments

Yeah they do, pine leaves are called needles

Answer 5

Ooookaaay. I like the taxonomy in your example, but it sure seems excessive. I mean, if they were key buying terms, I'd get it. But I'm not sure anyone searches for debris their gutter guards will block.  

Comments

It's not necessarily for searching from google, its to add context and findability of the content once you're in the site. UX and SEO reasons.  

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If people ask google "squirrels in my gutter" then they should be able to find a solution (ie. ever though of installing a gutter guard? )

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@vanda I have a home repair company in addition to this SEO thingamajig. I've installed quite a few, that's the reason I asked. I've never been asked "will it block squirrel turds" or pine needles. Most people want to know if they'll get anything in the gutter and if they have to clean the leaf guards or if they have any special maintenance.  

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@vanda hey, if it gets more customers, it's all good!  

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@ubald by the way, I'm still laughing at squirrel turds  We're trying to block the squirrels, not their shit  

Answer 6

You've set up plenty of post types for this?!  

Comments

Never mind, kind of missed the "taxonomies". Damn. It's late.  

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@punchball59914 my head was like that after 11 hours working on this too  

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I just read CPTUI and thought by myself, why the heck is she messing up the system with so many post types. lol