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Here’s another quick and easy guide to common Magento problems and solutions. For the first part of this series, click here!

PROBLEM: I need to disable Compare Products.

FIX: Here’s what to do: Go to app/code/core/Mage/Catalog/Helper/Product/Compare and find this code:

public function getAddUrl($product){return $this->_getUrl(’catalog/product_compare/add’, $this->_getUrlParams($product));}

Change it to:

public function getAddUrl($product){//return $this->_getUrl(’catalog/product_compare/add’, $this->_getUrlParams($product)); return false;}

Now go to app/design/frontend/base/default/layout/catalog.xml (remember, if you’re using a Magento theme besides “default”, change the “default” portion) and find

<block type="catalog/product_compare_sidebar" before="cart_sidebar" name="catalog.compare.sidebar" template="catalog/product/compare/sidebar.phtml"/>

Change it to:

<!-- <block type="catalog/product_compare_sidebar" before="cart_sidebar" name="catalog.compare.sidebar" template="catalog/product/compare/sidebar.phtml"/> -->

Now flush your Magento cache from the admin panel (->System -> Cache Management.) You’re done!

PROBLEM: I need to set up a blog in Magento.

FIX: Magento doesn’t include a default Blog functionality, so you’ll need to add an extension. Go to Magento Connect and find an extension module you like – a popular free module is the Magento Blog – Community Edition.

Then go to the Magento Connect Tutorial and follow the directions in order to set up your extension.

After following the Tutorial directions, you should see an additional Blog section in the top menu of your Admin panel. You can adjust settings, add posts and more here.

PROBLEM: I need to set up a Contact form.

FIX: Magento includes a default link to a Contact form in the page footer. However, if you want to add a contact form on a specific page, log in to your Admin panel and locate CMS -> Pages. Then select a page or create a new page.

Now use the WYSIWYG editor (HTML option) to paste this code:

<!– CONTACT FORM CODE BEGIN–>{{block type='core/template' name='contactForm' template='contacts/form.phtml'}}<!– CONTACT FORM CODE END–>

Now save the changes and a new contact form should appear on the desired page.

PROBLEM: I’m getting an “Access Denied” message.

FIX: First, log out of your Admin panel and then log back in. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to re-set the admin privileges under System -> Permissions -> Roles -> Administrators. Hit “Role Resources” on the left menu and make sure Resource Access is set to “All.”

Now click “Save role” in order to reset your permissions.

There – you’re done!

We hope these Magento tips have been helpful. For a quick guide to speeding up your Magento store, read our article here.