Recently Google’s superstar Matt Cutts covered a very important topic regarding how Google determines your websites target market geographical location.
Take a look at what Matt has to say:
Altering your website to be Google local-focused is a point that you really must look at in your search engine optimisation strategy if it is appropriate.
This means that if you are about to register a domain for a business located Australia and your target market is in Australia, register the .au version of your required domain. This will help improve your search results within this area.
If you have already registered a .com site, all is not lost. You can use Google Webmaster tools to indicate to Google your target market’s geographical location, eg; Australia.
Another consideration is the website IP Address. Again, if you are an Australian business with an Australian target market, host your website on servers that are located in Australia. If you have a local customer focus only (eg; your business is located on the Gold Coast and that is your target market), try and find a hosting company that has servers located on the Gold Coast. If this is not possible, use a hosting company that has servers located as close as possible to your location.
You may need to firmly ask your current host or potential host the true location of their servers, as many of them are re-sellers from either interstate or international hosting companies. If this is the case, the IP Address of your website could actually be in the United States or the United Kingdom. This can affect your search results within Australia.
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