One domain or multiple domains?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by coolash, May 30, 2010.

  1. #1
    Hi,

    I currently own a .com E-Commerce webstore mainly catering to UK Customers running on CRE Loaded. However, I am looking to have similar e-commerce stores for other countries using the same “Brand Name”. I want to build the brand. I will be using different dropship suppliers for each of my stores. The current .com store has plenty of content such as Articles, videos etc, designed to attract SEO traffic and offer content to the customer.

    Now my question is, from a SEO point of view as well as from an organisation perspective, am I better off having different URL’s for each of my store, i.e, .co.uk .co.nz etc or having different all the stores on the same URL. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each of the approach, however I would appreciate your opinions

    Advantages of Having all stores on a .com Domain
    • Same content can be offered to all customers
    • Easy to Manage

    Disadvantages of having all stores on a .com domain
    • SEO difficult as American and UK Spellings differ

    Advantages of Multiple Domains
    • Less confusion for the customer as FAQ’s can be customised for each store
    • Different dropshippers will have different rules hence customisation would be easier
    • SEO Campaigns can be more targeted

    Disadvantages of Multiple Domains
    • Lot of time required to manage different sites
    • Unique content will have to be created for all sites

    The other option I was considering was having one main store with all the content and having only products on other stores. I can aggressively market my main store and have links to my other stores for customers who may want to buy locally?

    I would be really thankful for opinions and suggestions as this is a key decision for me.
     
    coolash, May 30, 2010 IP
  2. soneat

    soneat Peon

    Messages:
    198
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #2
    Hey mate,
    I say, if you've got the time and money, you'll be better off copying ebay and co. Having multiple domains.
    Advantages are a plenty. From an organizational POV: Geo targeting, customization, less confusion (as yourself mentioned, US/UK spelling, different rules, etc.). SEO: Google will give you props for targeting a local market (say the UK or whatnot). They are all about local searches and all that nowadays, so you will be better off with local, country specific domains.

    However, if time and motivation is an issue, then I'd say start out with offering local product search from within your main store and then slowly expand into localized versions described above.

    Hope this helps,
    Cheers
     
    soneat, May 30, 2010 IP
  3. sikatangpinoy

    sikatangpinoy Peon

    Messages:
    300
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #3
    If you want to establish more domain or should I say network domain you need to have lots of back up page, and more dynamic content that can support your daily activities of optimization.
     
    sikatangpinoy, May 30, 2010 IP
  4. JustinWilliam

    JustinWilliam Greenhorn

    Messages:
    81
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    #4
    I always go for multiple domains. It works fo me. However, maintaining them is very tough so I outsource some the work.
     
    JustinWilliam, May 30, 2010 IP
  5. coolash

    coolash Member

    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    41
    #5
    I do think that going for multiple domains is the way forward. However, I am concerned that every time I need anew feature added to a site, I would have to update all the sites, which would significantly increase the programming cost. Is there a solution to this problem?
     
    coolash, May 31, 2010 IP
  6. joshvelco

    joshvelco Peon

    Messages:
    819
    Likes Received:
    8
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #6
    I think
    speaks for itself. Unique content will rank better in search engines, you will also have better brand awareness and trust if you use multiple location based TLD's. It may take more time to setup, but the end results will be better if you usemultiple domains.
     
    joshvelco, May 31, 2010 IP