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GZCMS Website Launch Document

Updated

GZCMS Website Pre-Launch, Launch, and Post-Launch Document

 

Quick Notes:

  1. All logins can be found at NordPass App.

  2. GZCMS IP address: 20.25.91.29

  3. Explanations of DNS records here - https://www.techopedia.com/definition/5349/dns-record#:~:text=A%20DNS%20record%20is%20a,to%20the%20specific%20Web%20server We mainly work with A, CNAME, and TXT records. Special cases would involve MX and NS records.
  4. If your DNS host provider has/uses AAAA records, they will need to be removed or rename. If not removed, the SSL certificate may fail for some users when viewing a GZCMS website on mobile devices/networks.
  5. In case of emergency and Dan Hopson is out, contact Michael Langlais, Jennifer Willeck, or Daniel Dizdarevic from Web Support. If he is not available, contact Dale Newland who will get someone from Web Support to assist.

 

Pre-launch Steps:

  1. Google Analytics
    1. If customer wishes to use their current Google Analytics, we can find the tracking code by going to the current website > Right click on you Mouse > choose ‘View Page Source’. Then use Ctrl+F to find their tracking code.
      1. UA – Stands for Universal Analytics. Will look something like this: UA-XXXXXX-X
      2. GA4 – Stands for Google Analytics 4. Will look something like: G-EQH8KLL395
    2. Copy tracking code > go to the Dashboard of the GZCMS website > Google Analytics > Paste in the UA or GA4 code > Save.
    3. If customer doesn’t have Google Analytics or wants a new one, we can create one in our Master account.
      1. Go to https://analytics.google.com/ and sign in with support@chambermaster.com email. Passwords can be found in NordPass
      2. Bottom left, click the Gear icon or ‘admin’ https://www.screencast.com/t/qw3uLFuXqVf
      3. Click ‘+ Create Property’ at the top of the middle column. https://www.screencast.com/t/IvTTzcoZbCML
      4. Add Property Name (Name of the customer) and select the customer’s Time Zone.
      5. Click ‘Show Advanced Options’
      6. Enable ‘Create a Universal Analytics property’
      7. Add customer’s domain in the Website URL
      8. Keep ‘Create both a Google Analytics 4 and a Universal Analytics property’ selected and click Next.
      9. This will provide you with a GA4 tracking code which you can copy and paste to the GZCMS site.
  2. Settings
    1. Dashboard -> Settings -> Reading
      1. Uncheck “Search Engine Visibility” and click Save Changes.
    2. Dashboard -> Settings -> Media
      1. Uncheck the 'Load PDFs Under Current Domain Instead of CDN' box.
    3. Dashboard > Public Module Cache:
    4. Add URL of GZ/CM/MZ module with: ?clearcache=all at the end the customer will use > Save Changes. https://www.screencast.com/t/gdwApShj
  3. Domains
    1. Dashboard > Tools > Domain Mapping
      1. Add in the URL of the domain customer will be using under 'Add new domain'. Enter their domain name, with no http, https, www, or trailing slash. For instance, “lakeretreat.org” (not including quotes)
      2. Add any other non-primary domains associated with the website to be redirected. Example: ‘www’
  4. Redirects (Yoast Plugin) - This involves making sure old links to pages from the old website will not go to 404 pages and redirects to the equivalent page in GZCMS. This is a very important step takes the longest part during the Pre-Launch.
    1. If this is a SCMS to GZCMS launch, please go down this document to see special case for “*****Regex redirects only done for SCMS to GZCMS*****”. If not, continue below.
    2. Individual redirects: go to Dashboard > SEO > Redirects > Redirects Tab
      1. Add the old URL or pathway/slug and the new URL to the URL field. Click ‘Add Redirect’
    3. For bulk redirects:  Dashboard > SEO > Tools > Import and Export > Import Redirects Tab >
      1. Import redirects from .htaccess
      2. Use a Notepad file (txt file) to copy redirects as we will upload them to the Files tab of the Project when complete. Format of the redirect must be:
        1. Redirect 301 /pages/test /test
        2. Example of redirecting to module page:
          Redirect 301 /directory http://business.growthzone.com/list
        3. Example of what this looks like: https://www.screencast.com/t/4nWfWW3LZxv
        4. Copy and paste redirects to the field and click ‘Import .htaccess’
        5. A confirmation message will display that the redirects have been imported.
  5. Wrapping Up – This wraps up the Pre-Launch tasks.
    1. Note in Pre-Launch task or ticket that the above items are complete, so the Web Project Manager gets notified.
  6. *****Regex redirects only done for SCMS to GZCMS***** – Since SCMS is fully integrated and going to GZCMS which isn’t fully integrated, we need to add Regex redirects for the module pages. Dashboard > SEO > Redirects > Regex Redirects. Below are the Regex redirects that should always be added:

| Module                  | Regular Expression        | Destination URL 

| ----------------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------- |

| Directory               | ^/list(.*)                | https://business.xxx/list$1

| Events                    | ^/events(.*)         | https://business.xxx/events$1

| Groups                   | ^/groups(.*)         | https://business.xxx/groups$1

| Hot Deals               | ^/hotdeals(.*)      | https://business.xxx/hotdeals$1

| Info Requests        | ^/info(.*)               | https://business.xxx/info$1

| Job Postings           | ^/jobs(.*)              | https://business.xxx/jobs$1

| MarketSpace         | ^/marketspace(.*)         | https://business.xxx/marketspace$1

| Member Login       | ^/login(.*)             | https://business.xxx/login$1

| M2M Deals            | ^/membertomember(.*)      | https://business.xxx/membertomember$1

| Application | ^/member/newmemberapp(.*) | https://business.xxx/member/newmemberapp$1

| News                       | ^/news(.*)                | https://business.xxx/news$1

| Blog                         | ^/blog(.*)                | https://business.xxx/blog$1

| Weather                 | ^/store(.*)               | https://business.xxx/store$1

| Form                       | ^/form(.*)                | https://business.xxx/form$1

| Category                | ^/members/category(.*)    | https://business.xxx/members/category$1

| Members/ql          | ^/members/ql(.*)          | https://business.xxx/members/ql$1

  1. Once complete, add in the other redirects like normal in Step 4.b

 

 

Launch Steps:

  1. Verify if this is a GZ/GZCMS or CM-MZ/GZCMS website launch. Should be stated in Project.
  2. Verify who is/will be the DNS host: best websites to find who the Registrar/DNS host is https://www.whois.com/ and https://mxtoolbox.com/NetworkTools.aspx
  3. Can identify if GrowthZone is the DNS host by doing a whois lookup ( https://www.whois.com/ ) on the domain. Examples are below:
    1. https://www.whois.com/whois/nisswa.com We are the DNS host for Nisswa.com using Rackspace. I can tell because the NS are dns1.stabletransit.com and dns2.stabletransit.com
    2. https://www.whois.com/whois/albanychamber.com We are the DNS host for albanychamber.com using LiquidWeb. I can tell because the NS are ns.liquidweb.com and ns1.liquidweb.com
    3. https://www.whois.com/whois/carboncountychamber.org We are the DNS host for carboncountychamber.org using Cloudflare. I can tell because the NS are dan.ns.cloudflare.com and dahlia.ns.cloudflare.com
    4. If you see the nameservers above, 99% we are the DNS host.
  4. Determine Integration is with CM/MZ or GZ:
    ChamberMaster/MemberZone integration uses subdomains that are A records that point to 216.17.94.185.
    GrowthZone integration uses subdomains that are CNAME records that point to an Alias of one of our GZ servers. Choose a host from the following locations (For GZ Integration):
    public.central.us.growthzoneapp.com
    public.east.us.growthzoneapp.com
    public.west.us.growthzoneapp.com
    public.southeast.growthzoneapp.com
    public.australia.growthzoneapp.com
    public.uk.growthzoneapp.com
    public.southafrica.growthzoneapp.com
    public.west.europe.growthzoneapp.com
    public.east.europe.growthzoneapp.com
     
    1. GrowthZone has three accounts that host DNS. When we are the DNS host:
      1. Rackspace
        1. Login and go to https://mycloud.rackspace.com/cloud/369923/dns
        2. Search for domain
        3. Update primary A records to 216.17.80.69 (on-prem) or 20.25.91.29 (cloud) - https://www.screencast.com/t/Lo5y29Smi9jz
      2. LiquidWeb
        1. Login and go to https://manage.liquidweb.com/manage/domains/#dns
        2. Search for domain
        3. Update primary A records to 216.17.80.69 (on-prem) or 20.25.91.29 (cloud) - https://www.screencast.com/t/71T2BSdz
      3. Cloudflare
        1. Login and go to https://dash.cloudflare.com/a7bf1a60b8a9f9b23a7a09b2c8335bb5
        2. Search for domain > DNS tab
        3. Update primary A records to 216.17.80.69 (on-prem) or 20.25.91.29 (cloud) - https://www.screencast.com/t/mncvmKzi8
    2. If customer requests/requires GrowthZone to be the DNS host:
      1. Add domain to LiquidWeb
        1. Once logged in, go to Cloud Sites > Login. https://www.screencast.com/t/TsGYrviLj7F
        2. Click ‘Create Website’ to add domain
          1. Paste in domain into the domain field > Create New Website (LiquidWeb will add ‘www’ by default.
        3. Click the new domain
          1. Click the Gear icon on the top right and select ‘Manage DNS’. This brings up all our registered Domains. Make sure to be in the DNS tab. https://www.screencast.com/t/8yj3f0nlRIF
          2. Click the domain in the list to expand and see DNS records.
      2. We use Cloudflare to copy DNS records
        1. In Cloudflare, click ‘+Add a Site’ button > enter in the primary domain > click ‘Add site’.
          1. Select a plan: choose the free version > continue
          2. Cloudflare will then find ALL DNS records. Copy these DNS records to LiquidWeb
          3. Once complete > click ‘Continue’ > click ‘Done, check nameservers’ > click ‘Skip recommendations’ > remove the domain from Cloudflare by clicking ‘Remove Site from Cloudflare’ > confirm.
          4. Change the primary domain’s IP address to point to GrowthZone. This does not launch the site yet. Only when we become the DNS host.
      3. Log into domain’s Registrar (easily found on whois.com) and change the nameservers to point to the following nameservers:
          1. ns1.liquidweb.com
          2. ns.liquidweb.com
        2. This will then make GrowthZone the DNS host (using LiquidWeb) and launch the site.
    3. Customer keeps their own DNS host:
      1. Log into third party DNS host and update the primary domain’s IP address to launch.

 

 

Hosting/CNAME Setup this can be done in advance of launch date

  1. Hosting in Cloudflare: Follow SOP of setting up a new Account.
  2. Our Hosting without Email:
    1. Setup all DNS records from current DNS host to Cloudflare. This includes all A, CNAME, TXT, and MX records. If current DNS has a Mail MX record pointing to the domain (ex. Mail.nisswa.com pointing to nisswa.com), create an A record of Mail and point to the current domain's IP address.
    2. Add domain to Cloudflare and it will copy over all current DNS records.
    3. Change primary A record to 20.25.91.29 (cloud)) and CNAME to correct region for module pages.
    4. Once complete, log into the Registrar and change DNS (Nameservers) to point to Cloudflare. Find the nameservers in the Overview section.
       

Not Our Hosting:

    1. Registrar level - no changes.
    2. DNS Host - Point A Records to GZCMS IP 20.25.91.29 and CNAME to correct region for module pages.

  

  1. For a module sub domain setup:

Setup a "members or business" CNAME for the customer when setting up the hosting.

    1. Create an alias CNAME record to use for module pages. E.g. CNAME=members or business so the end URL would be: e.g.  members.phccsd.org.  
    2. Choose a host from the following locations (all auto SSL):
       

public.central.us.growthzoneapp.com
public.east.us.growthzoneapp.com
public.west.us.growthzoneapp.com
public.southeast.growthzoneapp.com
public.australia.growthzoneapp.com
public.uk.growthzoneapp.com
public.southafrica.growthzoneapp.com
public.west.europe.growthzoneapp.com
public.east.europe.growthzoneapp.com

 

Add a "members" or "business" CNAME and point the host to: [nearest location-see list above] e.g. public.east.us.growthzone.com

  

For customers setting up their own CNAMEs send this in an email: Hosting: Point the primary domain’s root record to this IP address: 216.17.80.69

  

  1.  In Authoritative Nameserver:
    1. Log in to authoritative DNS host.  
    2. Create a new A record with the Host/name: ‘oldip’ and point to the current IP address. This way, we know what the old IP address is if we need to revert for any reason.
    3. Point the domain’s root record to this IP address: 20.25.91.29
    4. Added in SPF and CNAME records. Instructions here: (GZ) https://integration.growthzone.com/spf-growthzone/
    5. (CM/MZ): https://integration.growthzone.com/spf-cm-mz/
    6. Make sure the sub domain is added (top of the document)   

**Some users have their MX records pointed to their primary A record. Emails will break once we change the A record’s IP address. In this case, contact someone in Web Support to assist/guide how to handle. Usually, can be resolved by adding a new A record and change the MX record to point to the newly created A record.

 

Check: https://www.whatsmydns.net/ for propagation  

4. Allow editing access to new primary domain - Change URL in Admin GrowthZone
      a) https://growthzonesites.com/wp-admin/network/sites.php (for Prem sites) or https://growthzonecms.com/wp-admin/network/sites.php (for Cloud sites) Search for the website and click on Edit.
      b) Keep the Site Address URL under the Info tab the same – on the growthzone.com domain. Click on the 'Settings' tab.
      c) Under the Settings tab, update to the new domain for the Site URL and Home to the address, like this: 'https://example.com' (including the protocol and with no trailing slash).

 

 

Post Launch Steps For GZ/GZCMS (if CM/MZ/GZCMS go to the end of document)

    In GZ, Add domains to GrowthZone Pages Area:
    1. In customer GZ database > go to Setup > GrowthZone Pages (under Website section)
    2. Under the ‘Module Page Settings’ tab add CNAME (Subdomain to house Modules)
        1. Actions > Domains > Click on the “+” in the upper right-hand corner
        2. Add full CNAME (i.e. members.yourchamber.com)
        3. Mark “Is Primary” and “Done”
    3. Click on the Description link (Could be “GZ Module Pages” or Default” - https://www.screencast.com/t/oxJdtulL ). Uncheck the box for “Dev Mode”. Click Done.
    4. Click on ‘CMS Settings’ tab to add main Domain
        1. Actions > Domains > Click on the “+” in the upper right-hand corner
        2. Add full domain (i.e. yourchamber.com – Do not include the "www")
        3. Mark “Is Primary” and “Done”
  1. Go to Home and Inside pages and view all widgets added to the site.
    1. Make all sources use HTTPS with CNAME and they should display as expected.
  2. Better Search Replace Pro
    1. Replacing Module URL with CNAME Customer’s Dashboard > Tools > Better Search and Replace
    2. Enter the text you wish to replace. This can be any portion of an URL but know it will update ALL references throughout the website that match the criteria. Use the pre-checked 'dry run' to view URLs found.  
      1. This is where we change the dev subdomains to the primary subdomains
      2. Example: https://www.screencast.com/t/1r2D22K6DpTa
        1. This will find all instances of https://qacchambergzcms.preview.gochambermaster.com and replace it with https://business.qacchamber.com
    3. Select all tables in the field just below.

Choose ‘Run as dry run’ This will allow you to see a log of the areas that will be affected BEFORE proceeding.

    1. If all looks good, uncheck ‘Run as dry run’.
    2. Check if customer is using ‘Member Only’ pages. If so, the links need to be updated to use the ‘growthzoneapp.com’ domain again as it will only work with this domain, not the subdomain.
  2. Use SEMRUSH to check for 404s and check for old test URLS and change any that are found
    1. https://www.semrush.com/dashboard/
    2. Login
      1. User: clara.navin@growthzone.com
      2. Password: GrowthZone1
    3. On the left panel > Projects > Add new project. https://www.screencast.com/t/M0Op8j4U7
      1. Enter in URL of website. https:// and all
      2. Enter in Name for project name. Create Project. https://www.screencast.com/t/m0h7v7OKz
    4. Site Audit
      1. In the Site Audit pane select "Set up".
        1. Limit of checked pages: 1,000
        2. Uncheck the “Send an email every time an audit is complete”
        3. Crawler Settings > Crawl-delay: 1 URL per 2 seconds
        4. Click the Start Site Audit. This can take up to 30 minutes to complete.
      2. Once complete, check the project’s site audit
        1. Issues tab. Check that there are 0 pages returning a 4xx or 5xx status. If so, correct them.
        2. Crawled pages > Site structure. Check that the dev URL is not being picked up on the site. If so, correct.
        3. Go back the Projects and delete the project once complete.

 

  1. SEO
    1. Yoast – Go to the Client’s Site with Super Admin
      1. Dashboard > SEO > Social.
      2. Drop in Social Media URLs. Click Save.
      3. Do a Google query of the Chamber/Association. (ex. Nisswa Chamber)
        1. Make sure the domain is first on the list
        2. Check if the Chamber/Association has other websites. We recommend for them to take them down so all SEO will go to the domain's website.
        3. Make sure all major links work. If they don't, find out why and resolve the issue with the use of redirects.
        4. Google query a module page such as the directory and do the same steps above.
  2. Setup Search Console (Google Webmaster Tools)
    1. Go to https://search.google.com/u/2/search-console and login with the growthzoneweb@gmail.com account
    2. Click the top left dropdown of domains and click ‘Add Property’. https://www.screencast.com/t/3SJnLgZNuOZ
    3. Property Type: Add ULR to ‘URL prefix’ section and click continue.
    4. A recommended method of verifying your domain will show up. Open ‘HTML tag’.
    5. Copy the code and go back to the GZCMS site
      1. Click Customize in the top, Black bar > open Code > Head Code > paste code here and click publish.
    6. Back in Google Search Console, click verify. It should be successful.
    7. Add the full URL in the ‘inspect any URL’ field and hit enter. https://www.screencast.com/t/oJHzXO8c
    8. Click ‘REQUEST INDEXING’. What this does is request Google to recrawl the URL, updating their search queries.
    9. Next is to do the same for the subdomain the customer's website. (Example: https://members.xxxxxxx.com/)
      1. For CM/MZ customers, follow the directions found here. It explains how to add the sitemap for the subdomain for CM/MZ module pages.
  3. Website Launch is Complete!
    1. Web PMs will let the customer know that the website has completed the launching process.

  Post Launch Steps For GZ/GZCMS

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​1. Check https://www.whatsmydns.net/ for domain and CNAME propagation

  1. Change URL in Admin GrowthZone
    1. https://growthzonesites.com/wp-admin/network/sites.php Search for the website and click on Edit.
    2. Keep the Site Address URL under the Info tab the same – on the growthzone.com domain. Click on the 'Settings' tab.
    3. Under the Settings tab, update to the new domain for the Site URL and Home to the address, like this: 'https://example.com' (including the protocol and with no trailing slash).
  2. Check and make sure 'Load PDFs Under Current Domain Instead of CDN' is uncheck in Dashboard -> Settings -> Media.
  3. Go to CM/MZ database
    1. Go to Setup > Support Staff Only: Association Control Panel > Enlarge ‘Add-On Manager’
    2. Add URL to GZCMS site in the GrowthZoneCMS Site section
    3. Enter in: https://domain.com (no www). Click ‘Add Host’
    4. Should look like this - https://www.screencast.com/t/VAmzXudR
    5. Click the Trash icon next to the old dev URL to remove it. This will then make the Edit website icon at the top right log into GZCMS site.
    6. If old site was SCMS, go into CMS Administration ( https://secure2.chambermaster.com/CustomerCare/AllCMSCustomers/ ) > disable the login icon for SCMS site.