1 site, 2 languages - optimizing + domain questions - Page 2

biginjapan · 10-15-2003, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnScott

BTW, I suggested two sites for usability, not SEO. I just found that it's easier to have one site 100% in one language, and another 100% in the other language.

I don't see how usability is hindered by having just one site. I have bought the necessary subdomains of the other country so I get to be placed in the directories of this country but aside from that I don't see how clients would be bothered by navigating on one site - except if they are anooyed with the URL's having a different extension but I don't think too many will pay attention to that, let alone be bothered by it. Isn't it just more hassle having two sites to maintain and upload to?

John Scott · 10-15-2003, 10:29 AM

If they are dynamically generated, you only need one database. Site #2 can pull from the single database.

We went that path for a couple of reasons. First off, the other language was Japanese. If the user doesn't have Japanese language pack installed, the text looks weird.

And, if we put the JP site on subdomain, it would look like it is a mainly English site. But we are targeting the JP market more than the US market. So then we would have the English site in a subdomain, and it would look like an afterthought.

So we decided to go 100% with both languages.

biginjapan · 10-15-2003, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnScott

I just asked because I think you may be a bit too much concerned with PageRank when you can accomplish more if you focus on anchor text. Get links with the right anchor text, and less PageRank will go a long way.

Probably yes! I just never payed much attention to SEO before, I thought having keywords in my text was good enough, and it was for a while but now many of our competitors are starting to beat us in the SERPs, even some that aren't that closely related to our business - and that pisses me off because we used to be on the top spots without much competition. I wasn't even aware of the importance of the title till about a month ago... so you see I'm quite a newbie when it comes to SEO. But perhaps I should devote more energy to getting those external links with the right anchor text rather than nitpicking with all kinds of details. Just very hungry for more knowledge now that I've been asleep for so long...

I really appreciate the info you and Phil have supplied the community with, here on the boards and through your articles.