SEO Suggestions for a Chinese Site

Help on adding a Chinese Simplified version to Chinese Traditional site

[snair]

I have a Chinese Traditional site with the domain name, [example.com]. However I notice that most of my visitors are from China so now I’m thinking of adding a Chinese Simplified version.

Based on my research, it seems like getting a separate domain [example.com.cn] would be the best choice.

I’m still thinking it out, and I have a few questions:
1. It seems like there isn’t an SEO difference between [.com.cn] and [.cn] but is there any social preference to one? Or should I get both and redirect to one, because it seems like the big sites all have both.

2. Since I’m going to get a [.com.cn or .cn] should I also get a [.com.tw or .tw] for the Chinese Traditional site?

3. If I do get localized versions, then what should I do with my [.com] address? Should it be a landing page directing them to select a preference? Or should it just display the content in Chinese Simplified because that’s where most of my visitors are from? (I don’t plan on having an English translation).

Any help or suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

[DamonHD]

Hi,

Have you considered something.hk for the trad site? Might avoid it getting blocked from mainland viewers, for example?

Rgds

Damon

[bill]

There are still quite a few .com sites in the Chinese market. As you have an established domain it might be good to stick with it.

We have had search engine reps here at WebmasterWorld tell us that in order for a site to be considered local (pertinent to a local market) it should either have a local domain, like .cn or .tw, or it should be hosted locally. Why not get yourself some hosting in China [webmasterworld.com] for the .com domain and buy local domains for HK and TW? It certainly wouldn't hurt to have the .cn names as well, but just for safe keeping.

[snair]

Have you considered something.hk for the trad site? Might avoid it getting blocked from mainland viewers, for example?

That an interesting idea... I'm surprised that China would block TW sites but I can see that happening.

We have had search engine reps here at WebmasterWorld tell us that in order for a site to be considered local (pertinent to a local market) it should either have a local domain, like .cn or .tw, or it should be hosted locally. Why not get yourself some hosting in China for the .com domain and buy local domains for HK and TW? It certainly wouldn't hurt to have the .cn names as well, but just for safe keeping.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, after reading through those links it seems like the next logical step would be to get local hosting.

I probably should get the .cn, .tw, and .hk ones just for safekeeping. Don’t want a competitor to snatch those up. Too bad they are way more expensive when compared to the regular .com domains. I guess that’s just the cost of doing business!

And on a social factor, does having a local TLD really affect the perception of the site? My friends and family in Taiwan don’t really seem to care if a site is a [.com] vs a [.tw].

[bill]

Local domains in China (not sure about Taiwan), until recently [webmasterworld.com] when 2nd level .cn names became available, were quite expensive and difficult to obtain [webmasterworld.com]. This drove a lot of people to the cheaper and more accessible .com, .net, .org domains.

Although Second level .cn domain names are now officially available for companies and organizations worldwide, individual ownership is strictly prohibited for individuals in China. Therefore, you will still see a lot of Chinese language sites on a variety of domains. There isn't a big boost for the local .cn domains from my experience. People are just as comfortable with a .com.

[snair]

ah, thanks for the links. That clears up a lot of stuff!