Do domain name extensions matter when optmalizing for a certain language?

Fonz · 2007-05-10, 10:53 AM

Let's say I want to attract dutch speaking surfers only. Does it matter if I use a .com/.net extension or would I be getting better results using a .nl/.be extension?

Bobc01 · 2007-05-10, 12:30 PM

I'd say .nl/be, i use geo targeted UK domains as most UK directories only accept .co.uk etc, plus international listings.

Kind of best of both worlds if that makes sense.

Isabelle · 2007-05-11, 07:13 AM

I'm pretty sure it will work in your advantage!

Halfdeck · 2007-05-13, 04:45 AM

If you decide to go .com, you need the domain on a Beligan IP. Walmart, for example, bought a .com, put it on a UK domain and SEOd the hell out of it to rank #1 under a month for "car insurance" in UK local.

That's a competitive term, so it proves their decision not to bother with a .co.uk TLD wasn't a bad one. If you want to play it safe I say go with a .be and put it on a Belgian IP. I wouldn't think of those factors as ranking boosters though; they help Google decide whether or not to include you in local searches. So if you got a .be domain on a BE IP that's not necessarily going to help you outrank a .com on a BE IP or a .be on a US IP.

Why did Walmart optimize for UK traffic? According to Google Trends, more people from the UK than US search for "car insurance."

2007-05-11, 07:13 AM	#3
Isabelle Rock stars ... is there anything they don't know? Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 11	I'm pretty sure it will work in your advantage! __________________ Tired of AdultfriendFinder's low pay? Try Fling! Up to 40$ per signup!

2007-05-13, 04:45 AM	#4
Halfdeck You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Haven, CT Posts: 985	If you decide to go .com, you need the domain on a Beligan IP. Walmart, for example, bought a .com, put it on a UK domain and SEOd the hell out of it to rank #1 under a month for "car insurance" in UK local. That's a competitive term, so it proves their decision not to bother with a .co.uk TLD wasn't a bad one. If you want to play it safe I say go with a .be and put it on a Belgian IP. I wouldn't think of those factors as ranking boosters though; they help Google decide whether or not to include you in local searches. So if you got a .be domain on a BE IP that's not necessarily going to help you outrank a .com on a BE IP or a .be on a US IP. Why did Walmart optimize for UK traffic? According to Google Trends, more people from the UK than US search for "car insurance." __________________ Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.

2007-05-10, 10:53 AM	#1
Fonz Former pr0n slinger. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 7,932	Do domain name extensions matter when optmalizing for a certain language? Let's say I want to attract dutch speaking surfers only. Does it matter if I use a .com/.net extension or would I be getting better results using a .nl/.be extension? __________________ See how I abuse little trees on my Shumi no Bonsai Blog

2007-05-10, 12:30 PM	#2
Bobc01 Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hell Posts: 817	I'd say .nl/be, i use geo targeted UK domains as most UK directories only accept .co.uk etc, plus international listings. Kind of best of both worlds if that makes sense.