[Answer]-How could I allow copy editors for my Django site to create internal links in a DRY manner?

I deal with this issue frequently. Ultimately, you have to be very persuasive to convince me to allow embedding links directly into the copy–especially with an e-commerce website.

• What if the product name changes or is re-branded?
• What if the product is discontinued… you don’t want 404 errors from your internal links.
• Do you really want to lead people away from your “add to cart” call to action that high up on the page?
• Do they know your SEO strategy? Are they going to dilute your links? What verbiage will they use? Will they ensure the link is valid?

When I am asked to give copy/product development team the ability to add links I always start with a No. Ask them what they need them for, explain the problems that can arise (eg. extra cost in maintaining valid links, conversion rate considerations, SEO considerations), and offer alternative solutions.

For example, I usually offer the ability to allow them to associate products with products as “Associated Products”, “Related Products”, “Accessories”, “More Information” etc. You can have these in tabs or lists at the bottom of the product page. These would be in models and thus you have control over not displaying discontinued products, the link names are the product names (which you have SEO control over), etc. Determine if they are going for cross-selling, up-selling, or providing the end user with more information.

As a last resort I have also used a custom code parser which is again based on the target object and not a hard-coded link. For example, let’s say you give them the ability to do:

Widget A works really well with [product=123].

A custom template tag, parser in your model/view can replace that with a link to the the Product with id=123 (or use slug) based on get_absolute_url(). If the product is discontinued, the name can still show but no link. This only works if you have a policy of never deleting records. Even then, you may have to have some error handling for when they enter an invalid product ID or somebody does delete that product. That will happen.