CakePHP in a subdirectory using nginx: A Beginner’s Guide

If you are a developer looking for a powerful PHP web application framework, CakePHP is an excellent option. One common challenge that developers face is how to properly deploy their CakePHP application on an Nginx web server. In this blog, we will explore how to run CakePHP in a subdirectory using Nginx and offer tips on optimizing your CakePHP deployment for search engine optimization (SEO).

Step 1: Configure Nginx Server Blocks

The first step to deploying CakePHP in a subdirectory using Nginx is to configure server blocks. This is achieved by editing the Nginx configuration file, which is typically located in /etc/nginx/sites-available/default.

Add the following code to your Nginx configuration file:

cakephp subdirectory nginx

location /subdirectory/ {
try_files $uri $uri/ /subdirectory/index.php?$args;
}

location ~ \.php$ {
include fastcgi_params;
fastcgi_param SCRIPT_FILENAME $document_root$fastcgi_script_name;
fastcgi_pass unix:/var/run/php/php7.4-fpm.sock;
}

In this code, replace “/subdirectory/” with your desired subdirectory name.

Step 2: Copy CakePHP Files to Subdirectory

After setting up the server blocks, you need to copy your CakePHP files to the subdirectory. You can achieve this by executing the following command in your terminal:

cp -R cakephp/* /var/www/html/subdirectory/

Note: Replace “/var/www/html/subdirectory/” with your actual subdirectory path.

Step 3: Test Your CakePHP Deployment

To test if your CakePHP deployment is working properly, go to your web browser and type in your domain name followed by the subdirectory name (e.g., www.example.com/subdirectory). If everything is working as it should, you will see your CakePHP application.

Step 4: Optimize Your CakePHP Deployment for SEO

Once you have successfully deployed CakePHP in a subdirectory using Nginx, you can optimize your site for SEO. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Use descriptive URLs: Make sure that your URLs are descriptive and include relevant keywords. This will help search engines better understand the content on your site.

Optimize your title tags and meta descriptions: Your title tags and meta descriptions are critical components of your on-page SEO strategy. Make sure they accurately reflect the content on each page and include relevant keywords.

Use heading tags appropriately: Heading tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) help to structure your content and make it more readable for both users and search engines.

Use alt tags for images: Alt tags help search engines understand the content of your images. Make sure you use descriptive alt tags that accurately reflect the content of each image.

Optimize your site speed: Site speed is a critical ranking factor, so it’s important to make sure your site is as fast as possible. You can use tools like GTmetrix and Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and fix any speed issues.

In Conclusion

Deploying CakePHP in a subdirectory using Nginx is a straightforward process that can be accomplished with just a few simple steps. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can optimize your CakePHP deployment for SEO and improve your chances of ranking higher in search engine results pages.