24 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
24 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

do I need a com.au domain if I am targeting an Aussie market?

by Joe Ox
20 replies
  • SEO
    • |
For instance, if I have an host in Australia and a .com.au domain is it more likely to get displayed on a Search Engine in australia or it doesn't matter and I can have my .com and host in the US and it's the same?
The product is an info-product.

Cheers
I tried and ask my host but they say google algorithm is unknown and they don't know how it works. (hostgator)
#aussie #comau #domain #market #targeting
  • Profile picture of the author GodMode52
    To be honest it may help a bit but in the end it doesn't really matter as you can set your geo targets on your webmasters account and you're good to go.
    Signature

    Want Google Page ONE Rankings? [YES] [NO]

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6948906].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author dcristo
      Originally Posted by GodMode52 View Post

      To be honest it may help a bit but in the end it doesn't really matter as you can set your geo targets on your webmasters account and you're good to go.
      This is bad advice. The extension/hosting are important, more so the extension.

      If you are targeting the AU market, you need a .com.au this is not debatable - geo targeting in GWT won't help much if at all.

      Originally Posted by JamieSEO View Post

      While it does not make all that much difference to SEO, it does improve your clickthrough rate since Australian searchers can immediately see that your site is aimed at them.
      This is a contradiction, since SERP CTR is an important SEO factor.
      Signature

      Are you wanting to learn all the poker lingo?

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950428].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author GodMode52
        Originally Posted by dcristo View Post

        This is bad advice. The extension/hosting are important, more so the extension.

        If you are targeting the AU market, you need a .com.au this is not debatable - geo targeting in GWT won't help much if at all.



        This is a contradiction, since SERP CTR is an important SEO factor.
        Absolutly not. I've ranked more than 30 .com's this year on UK - AU google like people were doing in the last 20 years of internet.
        Signature

        Want Google Page ONE Rankings? [YES] [NO]

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950538].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author nik0
          Banned
          Just change the geo location in Google Webmasters Tools and you are fine.

          Personally I would chose a .com.au or .co.uk, simply cause it might lead to higher CTR in the SERPS. Not sure, just a feeling.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950547].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author dcristo
          Originally Posted by GodMode52 View Post

          Absolutly not. I've ranked more than 30 .com's this year on UK - AU google like people were doing in the last 20 years of internet.
          Not saying you can't rank .com on local search engines, it's just not as effective. The same thing can be said about ranking ccTLD on google.com

          The only reason you'd have a .com to target AU market was if you're a global brand.

          But if you're specifically targeting the AU market you need .com.au

          If you think otherwise, you're wrong, don't know what else to say really.
          Signature

          Are you wanting to learn all the poker lingo?

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950588].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author GodMode52
            Originally Posted by dcristo View Post

            Not saying you can't rank .com on local search engines, it's just not as effective. The same thing can be said about ranking ccTLD on google.com

            The only reason you'd have a .com to target AU market was if you're a global brand.

            But if you're specifically targeting the AU market you need .com.au

            If you think otherwise, you're wrong, don't know what else to say really.
            It may be preferable for conversions or whatever you want , but it doesn't change anything in terms of rankings or showing up on AU search engine , and OP was asking exactly about this.

            Also

            geo targeting in GWT won't help much if at all
            , no comment about this , search few keywords on your search engine and start counting how many .com you see on top.

            Signature

            Want Google Page ONE Rankings? [YES] [NO]

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950613].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author dcristo
              Originally Posted by GodMode52 View Post

              It may be preferable for conversions or whatever you want , but it doesn't change anything in terms of rankings or showing up on AU search engine , and OP was asking exactly about this.

              Also

              , no comment about this , search few keywords on your search engine and start counting how many .com you see on top.
              Mate stop acting like you have a clue because clearly you don't.

              A ccTLD is given favorable treatment in local search engines. It changes everything in relation to rankings/SEO.

              I would have thought this would have been common sense but time and time again it becomes apparent common sense really ain't that common.

              How many .com's you see ranking on local search engines proves nothing.
              Signature

              Are you wanting to learn all the poker lingo?

              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950654].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author GodMode52
                Originally Posted by dcristo View Post

                Mate stop acting like you have a clue because clearly you don't.

                A ccTLD is given favorable treatment in local search engines. It changes everything in relation to rankings/SEO.

                I would have thought this would have been common sense but time and time again it becomes apparent common sense really ain't that common.

                How many .com's you see ranking on local search engines proves nothing.
                Enough for me , have a good day
                Signature

                Want Google Page ONE Rankings? [YES] [NO]

                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950669].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IM Nick
    It wouldn't hurt and it may look better for the visitors as well.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6948936].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jxam69
    I remember reading on the Google blog sometime that they recommend using country specific domains if that's what you're targeting.
    Signature

    This space will be awarded to the first WSO owner who can prove they make Million$ from their methods.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6949201].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author WraithSarko
      That might help

      The trick to ranking down under tho is to have a picture of this guy on your site. Instant #1 ranking


      Signature
      SuperExpensiveNUKE...SubmitterEnvyNUKE...SENukeXCRaptastic
      I've spent the last 59 months building 412 MFA sites. Each site averages 8 cents per day...I said average, some make up to 17 cents per day, PASSIVE INCOME! This income allows me to live comfortably and buy ANY flavor Jolly Rancher or Skittles I desire. Don't give in to fear, it CAN be done!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6949516].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ArcherWylde
      Originally Posted by jxam69 View Post

      I remember reading on the Google blog sometime that they recommend using country specific domains if that's what you're targeting.
      I read something like that too. Alot of times it does not make a difference if there's an authority .com that's targeting the searched keyword.

      Occasionally I like to see if some of my client sites rank in other countries...depending on the keywords and the competition, many of them do.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950081].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tim Wallace
    Jus a little help for your sits SEO with such domain.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6949837].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JamieSEO
      While it does not make all that much difference to SEO, it does improve your clickthrough rate since Australian searchers can immediately see that your site is aimed at them.
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6949949].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Joe Ox
    thanks everyone for the replies. Can I just keep my host and buy a .com.au domain or do I need an australian host?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950314].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Demetrius
      Originally Posted by Joe Ox View Post

      thanks everyone for the replies. Can I just keep my host and buy a .com.au domain or do I need an australian host?
      Get it from an Australian host. It will be better for you.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950401].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author 2tuffs4u
    Of course, it would be helpful if you choose country specific domain name, it is helpful from both side, search engines and users.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950637].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author squadron
    Originally Posted by Joe Ox View Post

    For instance, if I have an host in Australia and a .com.au domain is it more likely to get displayed on a Search Engine in australia or it doesn't matter and I can have my .com and host in the US and it's the same?
    The product is an info-product.

    Cheers
    I tried and ask my host but they say google algorithm is unknown and they don't know how it works. (hostgator)
    It isn't that important so long as you tag the domain as being for the Australian market in your Google Webmaster Tools account. I have dot com domains on cheap Indian hosting that rank really well in google.com.au
    Signature
    2020 - Another Year of Bitcoin

    Wordpress Help
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7030170].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author UMS
    For what it's worth.

    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7030224].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mike Ometeo
    You'll find all sort of examples. People that ranked with .com in the UK and .UK in AU and the other way around etc...
    There is no one rule and not one way of doing it. It is true though that .com will rank good everywhere. It is also true that as a general rule, geo targeting extensions and hosting have some value. It all depends on the niche and competition. The more competitive the niche, the more edge you'll need.
    Another factor is links. The more links you get from local sites the better you'll rank locally.
    It is also important to use localized kw and language, mention the country's name a few times and mainly create some sort of affiliation to the country you're targeting.
    You'd want to send G a signal that you are localized.
    Hope that helps
    Cheers
    Mike
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7030689].message }}

Trending Topics