How should US sites optimize for the UK engines

[Mel]

Hi Mazy:

Great, now we have someone who can help us with the mysterious "over the sea" engines

What strategy and engines would you recommed that US sites use to attract UK customers.

[MazY]

Oooh my. My own area. I didn't even get time to buff the windows or clean the doorstep!

From a technical point of view, there is not, as you can imagine, a terrific amount of difference. The biggest differences are more "under the hood".

Especially with regards to spelling. Take the word "optimization" for example. In the UK, the word is widely written as "optimisation".

I have also noted that, especially with AV, submitting to av.com does not mean that you are listed in AV.co.uk. An absolute mindless notion to me but my own site has proved this time after time.

When a UK users types in www.altavista.com, he or she is automatically taken to http://uk.altavista.com/s?r=1 Damned annoying to say the least.

In addition to this, and my own site reflects this, in the UK, Lycos and Yahoo are pretty heavy television advertisers. I personally always promote for Lycos above all others (and in my mind they are the absolute easiest to optimise for). I work on the theory that because of the immense advertising, it is pretty much at the forefront of many domestic and business users mind.

The other, often overlooked thing, is wording. Now I often fall into debate about what I am about to write here but it is true.

I firmly believe that UK residents are a lot more "formal" in many cases and they do not really like the "Buy Now" approach mode of advertising. They are more cautious and reserved. They do seek information and often need a lot more convincing. I have no idea why this is but it does seem to be true. I think that it boils down to cultural differences. Many Americans are a tad more brave, adventurous and more willing to take things at face value than many UKers. UK businesses are stifled with red tape and formality. It is changing but it is taking forver.

I don't need to tell you that no amount of optimisation will sell products if the reader does not like what he or she is reading.

To combat this, I tend to mix both so that I appeal to both overseas and UK residents. I have the "Buy Now" pages but I also ensure there is a "Click here for more in depth information" type of thing. Going by my site stats, they are far from wasted pages!

I hope I've answered your questions but I can't help thinking that I digressed a little!

[Blue]

Excellent insights, and a great way to bring socio-language thought into our forums. Even though "english" as a language is taught and understood and spoken in most countries, does not mean that it is understood the same way that an American may understand it.

I often find this to be the case when talking to one of my many German friends ~ that the way Americans say a word, phrase or sentence, often differs in a literal way when translated into another language and vice-versa.

How this will affect our sites rankings in other countries SE's is a good topic for discussion.

I also found it highly interesting about MazY's comment on the "if you live in the UK and you type in a SE URL you're taken to the UK's counterpart of that SE. That's great info.

This whole topic really get's me to thinking.....so I'm gonna go off and do some:D

[Mel]

Thanksa MazY

Thats what we need to know, especially the fact that UK users may get taken to the UK version of the search engine.

I have long suspected that the "anti-hype" metnod of web writing had better selling power, not only in the UK , but elswhere.

Are there any search engines that are popular in Europe that American users may not be aware of?

[cheche]

Here again...

Mel I have a long list of UK Se's let me know if you'd like them.

I'm particularly interested in country specific search engines and yes language is extremely important. I have optimised pages specifically for a British audience AND others for an American. Brits as an example would naturally refer to 'real estate ' as 'property' and in the US it would be the other way round...this relates to many other terms JUST within the real estate industry...i could site many more examples.

depending on your site and who you want to reach there is much to be said also for your site being available in other languages. my site is currently translated into five languages and in the new launch will be translated into 7 of the major European languages. Portugese and Italian being the new additions - just think of that HUGE Brazilian market ! Next it has to be Mandarin. If you are targetting a Global market, the one way to keep ahead of your competitors TRANSLATE!

Later!

Che Che

[Farhan]

I have optimised pages specifically for a British audience AND others for an American.



i dont understand one thing, when targeting country specific search engines, what is the key excercise to do when your site is already in the popular Amercan search engines. You said that you have optimized some pages for British aidiance..
i just want to know that now will you only submit these pages to the search engines or what?? i am not clear about this issue..... plz help

[cheche]

Hello Farnan

I tend to be thorough in my submittal and will submit pages optimised for a US and UK audience to all the major US search engines and then also submit the UK optimised pages to all the UK specific search engines and the major search engines UK 'versions'.

Hope that answers your question!

Che Che

[ihelpyou]

hey cheche, would it be possible to post all the UK engines and their Url's? Don't do lots of work for this as post if you have them listed in a way to copy and paste to make the post or something. Could be useful to the members. Thanks!

[Farhan]

Hi che che (see i wrote the correct spelling of your name:p )
anywayz thanx for your answer!
what i have concluded is that , when you optimize your site, you submitt the whole site to the US search engines and then submitt these regionaly optimized pages in local search engines?? am i right now??

[cheche]

Hello Doug and FarHan
(think I've got your name right now! )

First things first ....here's that list.....I have a list of all the major European search engines if you'd like those too.

Altavista (UK), Everyday, GBP, Mirago, Kingdomsearch, Sparksearch, Speedcity, Excite (UK), UKMax, Splut, UKPlus, uknetguide.co.uk, ukplanet.com, UKSEARCHKING.com, funkycat.com, Ukbanners.com, Gasta, G.O.D, Walhello, Bestoftheweb, Yahoo (UK)

FarHan .... I do both.... I submit my main index page to all the English sites AND the those optimised for an English audience and the same for the US.

By the way....how do you get those nice animated pics to go next to your names....I want one!


Che Che
:cool:

[ihelpyou]

LOL cheche, go to your control panel at the top of the page by clicking on "user cp" and you can load the pic of your choice.

oh, could you please make the engines a link? I know that may be some work though. :rolleyes:

[cheche]

Doug.....there weren't any Cheetah avatars....so my avatar is temporary and only describes one aspect of me...(my other profession is as a painter ....and when I paint I tend to look like ....what's his name!? i.e covered in paint - dust...yes sometimes!)

Not quite sure what you mean by a link....and if it's what I think you mean....no tengo tiempo....lo siento! :cool:

Ciao

Che Che

[Farhan]

thanx che che...
i am clear with this issue now....
and thanx for the right spelling of my name:angel:

and yes for these giffs, you can get them while editing or building your profiles..there are loads of them (avatars)..select one that suits you

:hi:

[ihelpyou]

oh, :) make them a link leading to the search engine like this www.ttttsssskkkkmmmm.com

[Blue]

Pig Pen :D

[markymark]

Okay, I give in - here's your list (as links). The following have only included search engines and directories that I have personally received 1 or more quality referrals from in the last year. Quality referrals means 3 or more page views.

http://www.great-british-pages.co.uk
http://www.ukdirectory.com/listings/add.html
http://www.ukplus.co.uk/ukplus/SilverStream/Pages/pgUKPlusNewSite.html
http://www.lycos.co.uk/service/addasite.html
http://www.excite.co.uk/info/add_url/web
http://uk.altavista.com/help/addurl?t=11
http://submit.looksmart.co.uk/
http://uk.yahoo.com/
http://www.uk.goto.com
http://www.espotting.com/advertisers/list_yoursite.asp
http://www.hotbot.lycos.co.uk/submit.html
http://www.250000.co.uk/home_add_a_site.htm (submissions suspended for 5 days due to upgrade)
http://www.interview.co.uk/
http://www.gasta.com/add/defaultuk.asp
http://www.mirago.co.uk/regions/default.asp
http://www.splut.com/

Remember to add to the Lycos UK directory as well by going to www.lycos.co.uk and drilling down to the appropriate category.

[ihelpyou]

Thanks a bunch markymark! That will be very useful to many.

[markymark]

Aw, shucks, call me Mark.