Japanese minisite (translation of English site)

[Asia_Expat]

I've decided to proceed with plans to create a Japanese version of parts of my website. However, I have several concerns I have been unable to fully address by searching through the forum archives.

As this aspect of my site is from scratch, I will use a .jp TLD for the mini site. However, should I host on the same server? What should I be aware of? I certainly don't want to be accused of trying to manipulate search engines, as it will be interlinked with the original English site.

Also, is it a good idea to use Japanese characters for the domain name, or alphabet?

I'm pretty sure this is the right way to go and I'll probably use Japanese character in the domain name also... I just wonder if anyone has any experience to share with me...

[edited by: Asia_Expat at 8:53 pm (utc) on Sep. 8, 2007]

[bill]

should I host on the same server?

Hosting on the same server as your English site? It should make absolutely no difference to the SEs. The ccTLD will be sufficient for the SEs to determine the local focus of your site.

Japanese characters for the domain name, or alphabet?

Use a normal alphabetical domain name. Japanese language domain names are more of a gimmick at this point. You can certainly buy some and point them at your site, but only market the plain text one.

[Asia_Expat]

What about interlinking the sites... is there any chance that can be seen as gaming the system?

[bill]

You sound a bit too concerned about the SEs. Consider your users first. How would visitors to your site find the different language versions if you don't link them. Your users and site accessibility should come first. Concern yourself with that.

No SE should penalize you for that.

[jeffposaka]

Asia Expat I have an English / Japanese site interlinked and I have had no problems ranking for the keywords in both languages.