SEO Wise, what is smarter? 2 Languages in 1 site or...

[Klaas Koopman]

Hey All,


Been a while since I have posted here, have been reading though!

I got a question, I'm working on my company's website and I got it all in 2 languages, English and Dutch.

What would be better to have the two languages on 1 domain, for example:

www.koopmanmedia.nl as the domain and for english: english.koopmanmedia.nl?

Or would it be better to have them both on 2 different domains?

Kind Regards,


Klaas Koopman, Koopman Media

[Rankenstein]

I'd say two different domains, as you would want to go as local as you can. I've done exactly this before, and it worked in my experience. OTOH, going the subdomain way may help avoiding the sandbox. I'd still say two separate domains though, taking the long view.

[Klaas Koopman]

Don't worry about the sandbox, got the site in english and dutch up already so...

[Klaas Koopman]

Add:

Just need to know what would be best SEO wise!

[Rankenstein]

Well, as I say IMO it's two separate domains. Someone else may disagree, but I'm quite convinced. From the UK market for example, I know it can happen that .co.uk sites get drowned out in Google.com.

Anyone else have something to say? Agree? Disagree?

[A.N.Onym]

I'd suggest going for two sites as well.

That way you'll be able to target the Dutch website more precisely - with the ccTLD domain and Netherlands hosting. A ccTLD domain will make it much more easier for you to be included in the Dutch directories - that'll help you immensely.

[nigelaxis]

When targeting clients where the language is mainly localised it is better to go for the country domain name.

For instance .it for for the italian language version. You then want links to this site from other .it sites.

On your main site add a flag on every page and do a keyword image link to this site. This will help get the new site placed.

The same SEO rules then apply for keywording your new site.

[EricBlackwell]

Klaus-
Are your sites for two different markets? For example (America-english and The Netherlands -dutch?). If so, I would recommend not only separate domains, but hosting them in their respective target markets...

If not, then I still would go with 2 domains. SEO wise, it seems to work better.

Best;

Eric

[Klaas Koopman]

Originally Posted by EricBlackwell

Klaus-
Are your sites for two different markets? For example (America-english and The Netherlands -dutch?). If so, I would recommend not only separate domains, but hosting them in their respective target markets...

If not, then I still would go with 2 domains. SEO wise, it seems to work better.

Best;

Eric

Lol you make my name like a german name, it's Klaas

Okay I am working on setting up both. I also want to market English talking people, should I register .co.uk domain name then aswell? Or would .com be good enough?

[EricBlackwell]

Klaas;

SORRY about that! (grin)

I'd have to look more at how .com plays in the UK. I have a friend that does SEO there and I will let you know.

Best;

Eric

[Klaas Koopman]

Originally Posted by EricBlackwell

Klaas;

SORRY about that! (grin)

I'd have to look more at how .com plays in the UK. I have a friend that does SEO there and I will let you know.

Best;

Eric

Thanks Eric, let me know, if you know!

[Rankenstein]

.com is fine for the UK, no worries there.

[John Scott]

I like the two sites idea, too. But just because it's better for visitors.

[Klaas Koopman]

And why is that John, why is it better for visitors?

[John Scott]

I think consumers want to do business with a company that is ALL their language. To French, you need to be French. To Americans, you need to appear American.

Just my

[Klaas Koopman]

Originally Posted by John Scott

I think consumers want to do business with a company that is ALL their language. To French, you need to be French. To Americans, you need to appear American.

Just my

Yeah okay I understand, but would this also be with the domain name, like a dutch person would rather do business with a company which has their business on a .nl then a .com? Or would that not mather ( or is it matter? )?

[A.N.Onym]

Site visitors don't like the feeling of having their mothertongue being just one of the nth language in the top navigation.
They like having a focused website. Generally, it is assumed (I suspect) that a single language site is geared towards the language public. And I think it should be so, IMHO.

As I mentioned earlier, you'll get better localization SEO-wise with a country-specific domain, which may also be helpful for the visitors to find you

[Klaas Koopman]

Okay thanks alot A.N. Onym! I appreciate it!

[BILZ]

I would create a sub-domain for the secondary languages. Much like wikipedia has done - look at their different subdomains...http://www.wikipedia.org/