SEO: how important is .ca for Canada, .co.uk for UK, etc?

zurich · 03-20-2011, 03:25 AM

If I'm trying to rank for a Canadian search phrase, such as "Vancouver Real Estate," does it matter if my domain is a .ca, or would a .com, .info, etc rank just as well, all else being equal?

In other words, does google weigh the TLD of the country the searcher is based in more heavily?

rahmat · 03-20-2011, 03:32 AM

If you target local search, use .ca domain for Canadian.
Not only that, you can host it on local host in Canada.
Or, you can specify your website Geo-targeting on Google Webmaster Central to Canada.

zurich · 03-20-2011, 03:36 AM

All of my hosting is done on a dedicated server in the US.
Also, I prefer to buy .infos because of their 79 cent initial price point (when I buy hundreds of domains at a time, that really adds up fast)

So are you saying that submitting to google canada or doing geo-targeting is an effective alternative to choosing a .ca TLD?

rahmat · 03-20-2011, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zurich

All of my hosting is done on a dedicated server in the US.
Also, I prefer to buy .infos because of their 79 cent initial price point (when I buy hundreds of domains at a time, that really adds up fast)

So are you saying that submitting to google canada or doing geo-targeting is an effective alternative to choosing a .ca TLD?

Having .com or .info or .ca is about branding and personalization.
Your visitor will be Canadian. Let's think what will happen when a Canadian visitor landed at your site. If they saw you have a .ca domain, they will feel that the website is personalized for them. If the saw .com instead, they won't feel the same way.

It's all up to you. But, don't forget the Geo-targeting at Google Webmaster Central.

03-20-2011, 03:25 AM	#1
zurich Active Warrior Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 72 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	SEO: how important is .ca for Canada, .co.uk for UK, etc? If I'm trying to rank for a Canadian search phrase, such as "Vancouver Real Estate," does it matter if my domain is a .ca, or would a .com, .info, etc rank just as well, all else being equal? In other words, does google weigh the TLD of the country the searcher is based in more heavily?

03-20-2011, 03:32 AM	#2
rahmat Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 8.39 light minutes from Helios Posts: 505 Thanks: 32 Thanked 57 Times in 32 Posts Contact Info	Re: SEO: how important is .ca for Canada, .co.uk for UK, etc? If you target local search, use .ca domain for Canadian. Not only that, you can host it on local host in Canada. Or, you can specify your website Geo-targeting on Google Webmaster Central to Canada.
	-Rahmat-

03-20-2011, 03:36 AM	#3
zurich Active Warrior Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 72 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: SEO: how important is .ca for Canada, .co.uk for UK, etc? All of my hosting is done on a dedicated server in the US. Also, I prefer to buy .infos because of their 79 cent initial price point (when I buy hundreds of domains at a time, that really adds up fast) So are you saying that submitting to google canada or doing geo-targeting is an effective alternative to choosing a .ca TLD?