How to fix duplicate category URLs in OpenCart?

@maci 

Fixing duplicate category URLs in OpenCart can help improve SEO and provide a better user experience. Below are steps to address this issue:

1. Canonical Links: Implement canonical links in your category pages to inform search engines which URL is the preferred version. You can do this by editing your theme's header file or the category template file and adding the canonical link tag. Example: Replace {canonical_url} with the actual URL of the preferred category page.
2. SEO URL Settings: Ensure SEO URLs are enabled in your OpenCart settings. Go to System > Settings, edit your store, and navigate to the Server tab to enable SEO URLs. Make sure that the .htaccess file is correctly configured to support SEO URLs.
3. URL Redirects: Use URL redirects to manage duplicate URLs. Redirect any non-preferred category URLs to the preferred one using 301 redirects. Modify the .htaccess file or use a URL management extension to set these redirects.
4. Modify or Create SEO URL Extensions: If duplicate URLs are generated by extra parameters or specific extensions, consider modifying the extension settings or logic to prevent this from happening. Review installed extensions for URL settings and adjust them as needed.
5. Check URL Alias Table: Go to Catalog > SEO URL table in the OpenCart admin panel and ensure there are no duplicate entries for the same category. Modify or remove duplicates as necessary.
6. Use Third-party Extensions: Consider using a third-party SEO extension that provides more advanced URL management and canonical tag options if the default features are insufficient.
7. Edit Custom Scripts or Modules: If you've custom scripts or modules, ensure they follow OpenCart's URL structure and don’t create additional duplicates. Refactor any custom code that causes URL duplication.
8. Consistency in Menu and Links: Ensure that internal links to category pages across your website are consistent and point to your preferred URL version.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage and fix duplicate category URLs in OpenCart, enhancing your site's SEO performance and user experience.