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March 18, 2009 at 2:34 pm #616325AnonymousInactive
I have never used sub domains.
When should they be used? What are the pros and cons?
March 18, 2009 at 3:22 pm #797246CookyMemberDominique;200325 wrote:I have never used sub domains.When should they be used? What are the pros and cons?
Dominique,
If your not joking we seriously need to have a sit down in Amsterdam and let me show you how to increase your saturation globally and target regionally. I’ll show you how to increase your traffic (by rankings) 30% in 30 days (an average)
Here’s an excerpt from the Top 12 Tips I posted a while back here that addresses Geotargeting. If you’ll be in Amsterdam at CAC I’ll be giving a dedicated 45 minute session out of the 3 hrs I got set aside to go more into this strategy…
Anyhow, here it is;
Geotargeting for Language and Regional Targeting
- The ways that people search and the results the search engines are delivering are evolving rapidly. Smarter queries and more complex algorithms mean that you need to use various techniques to be sure you are showing up in the results. Local search, advanced search, regional search and language-based searches are some of the filters an end-user or a search engine can use in determining who shows up, when they show up and where they show up.
- Geotargeting is one tool Google has refined and one that you can manipulate to a point in order to increase saturation in any market.
Beyond the obvious on-page considerations, different searches will deliver (in most cases) a different set of results. The results can differ greatly depending on several considerations;
- The IP of the end-user
- The server location of the website
- Any geographically targeted settings in Webmaster Central
- The relationship between the search filters and the resulting web pages (I.e. Did they search for Pages from [region] or Pages in [language]
- If the end-user is searching a different extension than the defaulted engine (they manually enter Google.com searching for US or English results in a non-US region.
The other elements that will affect rankings will be back links;
- Are the links from a TLD that matches the destination URL (I.e. .nl linking to a .nl website)?
- Is the IP linking website located in the same region and the linked URL?
- Page rank,linking anchor text, additional outbound links on the page linking to you
- On-page relevancy
- Language based meta-tags
- Everything in the above 5 items relating to the linking website/page
Any one of these elements can give you an edge over your competition.
Searching any of Google’s (non-US) datasets will generally return a variety of websites when no language or location filter is selected. These can include internal pages in a website, subdirectories (http://www.yoursite.com/french), subdomains (http://www.french.yoursite.com), and various TLD’s (top level domains like .com and .nl). All 11 of the above factors are present in the automatic algorithm.
The problem is that no one really knows which approach is best, or which algorithmic attribute is the most effective, so what can we do with this?
What we want to do is to look at the existing results using the available search filters, and the existing websites that are ranking high and determine what the best strategy for your website is. This takes deep page analysis of your competitors.
The important thing to note is that there is a hierarchy between one and the other in terms of which is the best solution. Every website has its own individual solution based on their demographics, site mechanics and available resources. What you need to consider are;-
- Your target market?
- If you need or don’t need geographical targeting?
- If you need language based subdomains or subdirectories?
- Should you move hosting?
- Can I afford to do it all?
How & When to Use Geographical Targeting
Here’s what to do if you wish to;- Geographically target a region?
-
- Create a subdomain or a subdirectory in the native language and use Webmaster Central to geographically target it
- Host the subdomain on a server in the native region and use geographical targeting
- Build back links from similar TLD’s
- Target a specific language?
-
- Create a subdirectory in the native language (I.e. http://www.yoursite.com/nl/)
- Build back links from same language websites
- Do not use geographical targeting
The reason that you do not want to use geographical targeting along with a language-based strategy is that if the end-user searches in the native language on Google.com, a site using content in that language will be stronger than the same site with geographical targeting in place. (This isn’t dependent on whether you use subdirectories or subdomains unless you hosted the subdomain in the target region).
The answer for me is that I want it all…and NOW!!
I’ve recently had subdomains rank with geographical targeting turned on and in the native language rank top 10 in 6 weeks. I’ve had brand new websites with the appropriate TLD’s (I.e. .nl, .de & .es) show up in 8 weeks. I’ve even had a .com hosted in the US without geographical targeting show up in the top 10 results for “Hollywood” terms when they had never been in results in the UK.
You can start with subdomains. Look at your logfiles to determine where the current traffic is coming from to tell you what to do first. Bounce rates can also tell you a lot.
For example, if your secondary traffic source is Germany and you have a high bounce rate, start with a language-based subdirectory, then maybe move onto creating a subdomain, hosting it in Germany, then set the geographical targeting to Germany in Webmaster Central. Then go back and start all over again using the region that has the next highest contribution.
Important Things to Remember!-
-
- To target a language using only subdirectories do not use geographic targeting
- You can target a language with both subdomains and subdirectories but if you have a top-level TLD (.com) use subdirectories versus subdomains.
- You can use Google geographical targeting on subdomains and subdirectories
- Your title should be in the native language and/or use regional slang terms where they apply.
- Use language-based meta tags whenever targeting language-based searches
- Host subdomains that are for geographical targeting in the target region
- When you implement the subdomain strategy, link to it from the original website
- Create new sitemaps for each subdomain
- When creating meta tags and content be sure to use native slang. (If you sold pants in the US and the UK. Pants are referred to as trousers. Sweaters are referred to as jumpers.
- Get back links from same TLD’s (get a .nl link to your .nl site in the native language)
- If you have a TLD (like .nl or .de) do not use geographical targeting. These domains are already associated with its designated region
-
So in a nutshell, I recommend that if you already have an existing website with a TLD like a .com or .co.uk, and they are your target market, do not use the geographical targeting option. Start building subdirectories using the top native language determined by looking at Google Analytics or your log files. Identify your top referrer language. If the languages are close, as it the case between the US, UK, New Zealand and Australia, use native slang in the title, metatags and content. Build a new xml site map and manually submit it through all the main search engines.
- The next step is to create a subdomain and get it hosted in the region that you are targeting. Build content in the native language and get r submit it, as well as setting up the geographical target in Webmaster Central.
- By implementing this strategy, you will have a significant advantage over most of your competition (or a little less after this article is released). Whether the search is initiated in the region or outside the region, whether your site is located in the region or just hosted there, or even if they search in the native language or manually enter a specific Google engine like Google.com.mx or Google.es, you will have improved saturation.
March 18, 2009 at 4:52 pm #797248AnonymousInactiveI am serious, my site is a dinosaur.
I would love to sit down in Amsterdam, but I am not attending any conferences until fall due to personal business.
Going to digest your post for a bit….
March 18, 2009 at 9:37 pm #797256AnonymousInactiveHey Gary
Maybe you could post some tips for all affiliates to benefit from
Cheers
@GaryTheScubaGuy 200327 wrote:
Dominique,
If your not joking we seriously need to have a sit down in Amsterdam and let me show you how to increase your saturation globally and target regionally. I’ll show you how to increase your traffic (by rankings) 30% in 30 days (an average)
Here’s an excerpt from the Top 12 Tips I posted a while back here that addresses Geotargeting. If you’ll be in Amsterdam at CAC I’ll be giving a dedicated 45 minute session out of the 3 hrs I got set aside to go more into this strategy…
Anyhow, here it is;
Geotargeting for Language and Regional Targeting
- The ways that people search and the results the search engines are delivering are evolving rapidly. Smarter queries and more complex algorithms mean that you need to use various techniques to be sure you are showing up in the results. Local search, advanced search, regional search and language-based searches are some of the filters an end-user or a search engine can use in determining who shows up, when they show up and where they show up.
- Geotargeting is one tool Google has refined and one that you can manipulate to a point in order to increase saturation in any market.
Beyond the obvious on-page considerations, different searches will deliver (in most cases) a different set of results. The results can differ greatly depending on several considerations;
- The IP of the end-user
- The server location of the website
- Any geographically targeted settings in Webmaster Central
- The relationship between the search filters and the resulting web pages (I.e. Did they search for Pages from [region] or Pages in [language]
- If the end-user is searching a different extension than the defaulted engine (they manually enter Google.com searching for US or English results in a non-US region.
The other elements that will affect rankings will be back links;
- Are the links from a TLD that matches the destination URL (I.e. .nl linking to a .nl website)?
- Is the IP linking website located in the same region and the linked URL?
- Page rank,linking anchor text, additional outbound links on the page linking to you
- On-page relevancy
- Language based meta-tags
- Everything in the above 5 items relating to the linking website/page
Any one of these elements can give you an edge over your competition.
Searching any of Google’s (non-US) datasets will generally return a variety of websites when no language or location filter is selected. These can include internal pages in a website, subdirectories (http://www.yoursite.com/french), subdomains (http://www.french.yoursite.com), and various TLD’s (top level domains like .com and .nl). All 11 of the above factors are present in the automatic algorithm.
The problem is that no one really knows which approach is best, or which algorithmic attribute is the most effective, so what can we do with this?
What we want to do is to look at the existing results using the available search filters, and the existing websites that are ranking high and determine what the best strategy for your website is. This takes deep page analysis of your competitors.
The important thing to note is that there is a hierarchy between one and the other in terms of which is the best solution. Every website has its own individual solution based on their demographics, site mechanics and available resources. What you need to consider are;-
- Your target market?
- If you need or don’t need geographical targeting?
- If you need language based subdomains or subdirectories?
- Should you move hosting?
- Can I afford to do it all?
How & When to Use Geographical Targeting
Here’s what to do if you wish to;- Geographically target a region?
-
- Create a subdomain or a subdirectory in the native language and use Webmaster Central to geographically target it
- Host the subdomain on a server in the native region and use geographical targeting
- Build back links from similar TLD’s
- Target a specific language?
-
- Create a subdirectory in the native language (I.e. http://www.yoursite.com/nl/)
- Build back links from same language websites
- Do not use geographical targeting
The reason that you do not want to use geographical targeting along with a language-based strategy is that if the end-user searches in the native language on Google.com, a site using content in that language will be stronger than the same site with geographical targeting in place. (This isn’t dependent on whether you use subdirectories or subdomains unless you hosted the subdomain in the target region).
The answer for me is that I want it all…and NOW!!
I’ve recently had subdomains rank with geographical targeting turned on and in the native language rank top 10 in 6 weeks. I’ve had brand new websites with the appropriate TLD’s (I.e. .nl, .de & .es) show up in 8 weeks. I’ve even had a .com hosted in the US without geographical targeting show up in the top 10 results for “Hollywood” terms when they had never been in results in the UK.
You can start with subdomains. Look at your logfiles to determine where the current traffic is coming from to tell you what to do first. Bounce rates can also tell you a lot.
For example, if your secondary traffic source is Germany and you have a high bounce rate, start with a language-based subdirectory, then maybe move onto creating a subdomain, hosting it in Germany, then set the geographical targeting to Germany in Webmaster Central. Then go back and start all over again using the region that has the next highest contribution.
Important Things to Remember!-
-
- To target a language using only subdirectories do not use geographic targeting
- You can target a language with both subdomains and subdirectories but if you have a top-level TLD (.com) use subdirectories versus subdomains.
- You can use Google geographical targeting on subdomains and subdirectories
- Your title should be in the native language and/or use regional slang terms where they apply.
- Use language-based meta tags whenever targeting language-based searches
- Host subdomains that are for geographical targeting in the target region
- When you implement the subdomain strategy, link to it from the original website
- Create new sitemaps for each subdomain
- When creating meta tags and content be sure to use native slang. (If you sold pants in the US and the UK. Pants are referred to as trousers. Sweaters are referred to as jumpers.
- Get back links from same TLD’s (get a .nl link to your .nl site in the native language)
- If you have a TLD (like .nl or .de) do not use geographical targeting. These domains are already associated with its designated region
-
So in a nutshell, I recommend that if you already have an existing website with a TLD like a .com or .co.uk, and they are your target market, do not use the geographical targeting option. Start building subdirectories using the top native language determined by looking at Google Analytics or your log files. Identify your top referrer language. If the languages are close, as it the case between the US, UK, New Zealand and Australia, use native slang in the title, metatags and content. Build a new xml site map and manually submit it through all the main search engines.
- The next step is to create a subdomain and get it hosted in the region that you are targeting. Build content in the native language and get r submit it, as well as setting up the geographical target in Webmaster Central.
- By implementing this strategy, you will have a significant advantage over most of your competition (or a little less after this article is released). Whether the search is initiated in the region or outside the region, whether your site is located in the region or just hosted there, or even if they search in the native language or manually enter a specific Google engine like Google.com.mx or Google.es, you will have improved saturation.
March 18, 2009 at 10:57 pm #797266CookyMemberRenee;200354 wrote:Hey GaryMaybe you could post some tips for all affiliates to benefit from
Cheers
Yes Renee you’re right. I could…but I already have.
The frustrating part is that its taken a lot of time to spell it out in easily understood terms but no one wants to do the homework. I’ve spelled it out right here. I did Top 12 SEO Tips and have answered countless PM’s regarding it.
At the end of the day for me I do this for a living making a good living.
I cut and paste content I’ve written as well as refer ppl to previous posts.
So my question is, do I continue to hold hands and navigate ppl?
If I had the time I would…but I don’t
There’s this thing called a search engine. Use it. Everything I’ve ever written is at your fingertips. I’m not going to lead you like a puppy to his mothers tit.
I moderate here, I speak at all the CAC, CAP and A4U conferences, write articles for iGaming, CAC, CAP, GPWA and others.
WTF else can I do???
Go to CAP Spring Break and Amsterdam? Okay, I’ll be there.
I have gotten to where I am partly on the endless days I have put into it. If you can’t be bothered to do a Google search than I can’t be bothered to draw a roadmap.
Ask any question you want, but do the homework first, as we all have. Nothing is easy…especially SEO.
If you want me to do it for you I start at £5k per month. Otherwise do a bit of homework, ask questions and quit looking for the path of least resistance…I give this shit away for free.
You’re never going to find an easy path with SEO.
March 18, 2009 at 11:01 pm #797267AnonymousInactiveMate I think thats a bit out of line.. it’s pretty hard to offend me, and you just did.
The reason for my comment here is because you offered to help one affiliate, but what about everyone else? You can go out of your way for one but not all?
FYI I’m an affiliate manager, not an affiliate, and a well respected one at that. I’ve won 2 best affiliate manager awards here and I personally don’t need your help, I just thought I would post for the sake of helping everyone, not just one person. I had the best interests of ALL affiliates in mind.
If you’re going to tell one person to come meet with you so you can help them, expect that other people are also going to expect the same and if you dont like it then dont offer publicly.
@GaryTheScubaGuy 200368 wrote:
Yes Renee you’re right. I could…but I already have.
The frustrating part is that its taken a lot of time to spell it out in easily understood terms but no one wants to do the homework. I’ve spelled it out right here. I did Top 12 SEO Tips and have answered countless PM’s regarding it.
At the end of the day for me I do this for a living making a good living.
I cut and paste content I’ve written as well as refer ppl to previous posts.
So my question is, do I continue to hold hands and navigate ppl?
If I had the time I would…but I don’t
There’s this thing called a search engine. Use it. Everything I’ve ever written is at your fingertips. I’m not going to lead you like a puppy to his mothers tit.
I moderate here, I speak at all the CAC, CAP and A4U conferences, write articles for iGaming, CAC, CAP, GPWA and others.
WTF else can I do???
Go to CAP Spring Break and Amsterdam? Okay, I’ll be there.
I have gotten to where I am partly on the endless days I have put into it. If you can’t be bothered to do a Google search than I can’t be bothered to draw a roadmap.
Ask any question you want, but do the homework first, as we all have. Nothing is easy…especially SEO.
If you want me to do it for you I start at £5k per month. Otherwise do a bit of homework, ask questions and quit looking for the path of least resistance…I give this shit away for free.
You’re never going to find an easy path with SEO.
March 18, 2009 at 11:07 pm #797268CookyMemberBy the way…if you are truly wanting to learn SEO, I’m also a moderator on SEO Chat.
Do a search and you’ll find enough to get you going.
At the end of the day lazy ppl don’t cut it with me. Had you only spent the time to search my AKA you would have found enough information to keep you going for months.
Again, if you are serious, do a search, do the homework, then drop me a line. when you are done.
After all. I’ve done just that.
Gary
March 18, 2009 at 11:08 pm #797269AnonymousInactive@GaryTheScubaGuy 200371 wrote:
By the way…if you are truly wanting to learn SEO, I’m also a moderator on SEO Chat.
Do a search and you’ll find enough to get you going.
At the end of the day lazy ppl don’t cut it with me. Had you only spent the time to search my AKA you would have found enough information to keep you going for months.
Again, if you are serious, do a search, do the homework, then drop me a line. when you are done.
After all. I’ve done just that.
Gary
Did you even read my post?
I’m not an affiliate.March 18, 2009 at 11:14 pm #797270AnonymousInactive@Renee 200369 wrote:
The reason for my comment here is because you offered to help one affiliate, but what about everyone else?
I think Gary has shared more info about professional SEO here and on any CAP events than any other people I know of, people just need to look at the SEO forum here, it is full of gems you could get from a so called SEO expert only for big hard $$$$ and Gary is giving away them free.
I have never seen him turning away anyone here asking on the forums, so in my opinion he did more in his field than anyone else.
I respect you Renee, don’t misunderstand me, but the comment about “what about anyone else?” is just a plain ignorance for the job he made here.
March 18, 2009 at 11:16 pm #797271AnonymousInactiveIs the point of a forum not to be helping anyone who comes across the same problem?
Else we would have the same question 100 times over..If it was the other way around, and a question about a program was posted, and I said “I’ve PMd you the answer” wouldn’t everyone want to know in case they come across the same thing?
Don’t get me wrong, I agree that Gary probably has given out some expensive information out for free, but I think if you’re going to publicly offer one affiliate to meet privately so they can get all this info for free, you have to be prepared that other people are not going to be happy with you.
I didnt ask to post some tips for everyone to get something for free, I just figured what is good for one is good for all.
March 18, 2009 at 11:17 pm #797272CookyMemberRenee;200369 wrote:FYI I’m an affiliate manager, not an affiliate, and a well respected one at that. I’ve won 2 best affiliate manager awards here and I personally don’t need your help, I just thought I would post for the sake of helping everyone, not just one person. I had the best interests of ALL affiliates in mind..Congratulations Renee. You’ve done good.
Spend some time giving away 100’s of billable hours of free advice like I have, and do, and you’ll see where I’m coming from.
I’m sure your interests are solely for others interests as mine are, so how about you donate something other than criticism?
Can I get better CSR. quicker payouts or someone to actually answer a phone?
I think you are a bit out of your league, but kudos for the effort.
I give everything I know away and it helps the recipients without any kickback to me to speak of. I think you are a bit out of element and in a different race than me.
March 18, 2009 at 11:20 pm #797273CookyMemberRenee,
6 members here are my clients and I give advice away to anyone that asks.
You’re barking up the wrong tree.
March 18, 2009 at 11:22 pm #797274AnonymousInactive@GaryTheScubaGuy 200375 wrote:
Congratulations Renee. You’ve done good.
Spend some time giving away 100’s of billable hours of free advice like I have, and do, and you’ll see where I’m coming from.
I’m sure your interests are solely for others interests as mine are, so how about you donate something other than criticism?
Can I get better CSR. quicker payouts or someone to actually answer a phone?
I think you are a bit out of your league, but kudos for the effort.
I give everything I know away and it helps the recipients without any kickback to me to speak of. I think you are a bit out of element and in a different race than me.
Come on mate, my first post was supposed to be tongue in cheek, and you respond with a whole bunch of offending statements like “There’s this thing called a search engine. Use it.”
I dont recall posting anything offensive in my original post.. it even had a smiley face to convey that I was trying to be cheeky…
You’re probably right though.. Ive been an affiliate manager for almost 4 years and wtf would I know about whats best for the affiliates..
GaryTheScubaGuy wrote:Renee,6 members here are my clients and I give advice away to anyone that asks.
You’re barking up the wrong tree.
I think you have missed the whole point of my original post.
March 18, 2009 at 11:26 pm #797275CookyMemberRenee;200378 wrote:You’re probably right though.. Ive been an affiliate manager for almost 4 years and wtf would I know about whats best for the affiliates..Great sell.
I’m not here to recruit and apparently you are here to make a point.
Get on with it then.
At the end of the day I’m not here for monitary reasons, I’m here to answer inquiries.
March 18, 2009 at 11:29 pm #797276AnonymousInactive@GaryTheScubaGuy 200379 wrote:
Great sell.
I’m not here to recruit and apparently you are here to make a point.
Get on with it then.
At the end of the day I’m not here for monitary reasons, I’m here to answer inquiries.
Good luck with that though.
Insult after insult.. and ive not yet thrown one your way.
If you’re not here for monetary reasons, then why were you so adament about charging me 5k for your services?
OK i’m done with this.. good luck Dom. I hope you find the answer to your question about subdomains.
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