Sitecore How To: Track Exteral links with DMS

In this How To I’ll show you how to extend Sitecore to track outgoing links trough the Sitecore Digital Marketing System (DMS).

First of we start with creating a sublayout that saves the outgoing link clicks to the Analytics database. Next step is creating a solution for tracking the outgoing link. There are multiple solutions of tracking external links but in this series we are creating the following two solutions; one that tracks all outgoing links automatically (step 2.1) and the other solution where it´s possible to enable tracking for-each outgoing link (step 2.2)And off-course we finish with  report that will show you the most clicked outgoing links.

This how to is part of the series: How to track External Links with Sitecore DMS and contains the following steps:

  • Step 1: Save outgoing click to the DMS analytics database (status: finished, published)
  • Step 2: Two solutions for outgoing link tracking
    • Step 2.1: Measure alloutgoing links with a custom processor  (status: finished, published)
    • Step 2.2: Measure specific outgoing links by creating a custom external link fieldtype
      • Step 2.2.1: Creating the custom external link fieldtype (status: review, publishdate: 17/05/2012)
      • Step 2.2.2: Creating pageeditor support for the custom external link fieldtype (status: coding)
      • Step 2.2.2: Tracking the external links that need to be tracked (status: on hold)
  • Step 3: Creating the outgoing link report  (status: finished, published) 
And off-course all publishdates are subjected to changes ;=)

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NewGuid.net live

Today we are happy to announce that NewGuid.Net is online. Newguid.net will be a weblog about Sitecore Development and sharing knowledge.  At this point all articles on NewGuid are the combination of all the articles from the personal weblogs of; Mark van Aalst and Pieter Brinkman.

We are willing to crossposts Sitecore articles and have guest Authors on this blog. If you are interested in placing your article on NewGuid.net please contact us and we’ll be happy to publish it!

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Happy developing,
Mark and Pieter

 

Sitecore Recognizes Exceptional Technical Community Leaders From Around the World

We want to congratulate and thank all Sitecore MVP’s of 2011!


MVPs Recognized for Active Community Involvement in Advancing Web Strategies

San Francisco – April 10, 2012 – Sitecore today announced the 2011 Sitecore Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs). The program recognizes exceptional technical community leaders who serve as catalysts for change and innovation.

Sitecore MVPs voluntarily share their passion and commitment to Web technology and encourage the objective exchange of knowledge .The Sitecore MVP Award celebrates the most active Sitecore community members from around the world who provide invaluable contributions by solving problems and discovering new ways to transform technology. The program offers MVPs a number of benefits including access to technical resources such as alpha versions of Sitecore software, first release modules and full access to the Sitecore Developer Network and download section, and invitations to major events.

“MVPs are technology experts who inspire others to learn and grow through active participation in the Sitecore technical community,” said Lars Nielsen, senior vice president, technical marketing, Sitecore.  “MVPs are not just about evangelizing Sitecore. They are passionate about improving technology and driving innovation and sharing their knowledge and real-world experiences at user groups, on blogs and on social channels. This year’s prestigious list represents individuals who share the same passion for technology and a willingness to help others innovate and advance the use of Web technology. It’s my pleasure to recognize their demonstrated commitment to the technology community worldwide.”

For 2011, fifty-two outstanding individuals were selected to be members of the program and honored with a Sitecore Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award and are as follows:                                                                  

  • Adam Najmanowicz                           Cognifide
  • Alan Gallauresi                                   NavigationArts
  • Alexander Pfandt                               Digitaria, a JWT Company
  • Alistair Deneys                                   Next Digital
  • Amanda Shiga                                    Non-linear creations
  • Anders Dryer                                      Created
  • Andrew King                                      WEtap Media
  • Andy Uzick                                        FMC Technologies
  • Aren Cambre                                       Southern Methodist University
  • Arend van de Beek                             Suneco
  • Atsuo Aoki                                         Nextscape
  • Barend van der Hout                          eFocus
  • Ben Golden                                         Aware Web Solutions
  • Brent McLean                                     Paragon Consulting
  • Brian Beckham                                   Brainjocks
  • Charlie Turano                                    Hedgehog Development
  • Chris Williams                                     Cyberplex/CX Interactive
  • Colin te Kemple                                  Consultant
  • Daniel DeLay                                      Velir
  • Daniel Tobner                                     ecx.io austria GmbH  
  • Eric Leong                                          Avanade
  • Eric Nordberg                                     Aware Web Solutions
  • Eric Briand                                          Ergonet
  • Gabriel Boys                                       Velir
  • Glen McInnis                                      Non-linear creations
  • Jakob Leander                                     Avanade Denmark
  • Jason Hedlund                                    Aware Web Solutions
  • Jens Mikkelson                                    Inmento Solutions
  • Jeroen Speldekamp                             Suneco
  • Joacim Schiodtz                                  Cabana
  • Karina Apostolides                             Endava
  • Keiichi Hashimoto                              Sigma Consulting
  • Kern Nightingale                                Herskind Limited
  • Klaus Petersen                                    Alpha Solutions
  • Lars Erhardsen                                    CometPeople
  • Mark Ursino                                        Agency Oasis
  • Matt Hovany                                       The Revere Group
  • Max Teo Wee Kwang                         Avanade
  • Mike Edwards                                    Eduserv
  • Nick Hills                                            True Clarity
  • Nick Wesselman                                 Hanson Dodge Creative
  • Paul Caponetti                                    Verndale
  • Peter Iuvara                                         mindSHIFT
  • Remco van Toor                                  iQuality
  • Richard Hauer                                     5 Limes
  • Robert Jongkind                                 eFocus
  • Roger Norrlén                                     Mogul
  • Sean Kearney                                      Hedgehog Development
  • Sebastian Winslow                              Codehouse
  • Thomas Eldblom                                 Pentia
  • Troy Lüchinger                                   Namics
  • Vincent van Middendorp                   Evident

Sitecore MVP nominees undergo an evaluation process based on each nominee’s technical expertise and voluntary community involvement over the past year. All the nominations were reviewed by an independent panel of Sitecore employees from technical, product marketing and executive roles.  The panel considers the quality, quantity, and level of impact of the nominees’ contributions, in the areas of general technical advocacy, input via blogs and forums and content development.

Sitecore has more than 4,500 certified developers, and more than 10,000 active community participants.

About Sitecore

Sitecore redefines how organizations engage with audiences, powering compelling experiences that sense and adapt to visitors both online and in-person.

Sitecore’s leading Content Management System software is the first to cohesively integrate with marketing automation, intranet portal, e-commerce, web optimization, social media and campaign management technologies. This broad choice of capabilities enable marketing professionals, business stakeholders and information technology teams to rapidly implement, measure and manage a successful website and digital  business strategy. Businesses can now easily identify, serve and convert new customers with Sitecore’s Digital Marketing System, part of its encompassing Customer Engagement Platform.

Thousands of public and private organizations have created and now manage more than 32,000 dynamic websites with Sitecore including ATP World Tour, CA Technologies, Comcast, EasyJet, Lloyd’s of London, Heineken, Microsoft, Omni Hotels, Siemens, The Knot, Thomas Cook, Verizon and Visa Europe.

Media Contact:
Kim Pegnato, Sitecore
781-620-1729
kmp@sitecore.net

Sitecore: Creating Fieldtype External link only

During an Sitecore .Net development training I was ask if there is a fieldtype for an external link. The answer (of course) is; “Yes, general link”. With general link you can create a external link and many other types of links.  But what if you want to create a field in which the business users can only add an external link? You can easily create this with Sitecore (without any coding).

 

Create the External Link only Fieldtype

Fieldtypes are defined in the Core database. Switch to the core database and open the content editor and duplicate the /sitecore/system/Field types/Link Types/General Link item and call the item External Link.

Remove the unused link options

Underneath the newly created External Link item there is a folder called menu. Remove all items in the Menu folder except External Link, Clear and Follow.

 

Test the External Link Fieldtype

Switch back to the Master database and add a External Link field the to a template. Open an Item based on the template and you will see the newly created External Link field.

 


That’s it, we have created a new Fieldtype that only accepts External links.

Sitecore Webinar: Using Sitecore Rocks

Last month I gave a (Dutch) webinar about developing for Sitecore with the Visual Studio 2010 plugin Sitecore Rocks. You can watch the webinar on Youtube.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nQ5dlAG-kg[/youtube]

In this webinar I builded a website from scratch in 30 minutes only using Sitecore Rocks