Where to start - European & UK SE's?

Need to replace lost sales from US business

[Liane]

Since my new web site (which is tourism based in the Caribbean) was launched in February of this year, I have been concentrating on marketing in the US. With the events of 9/11 in mind, I would think that it is high time I start concentrating on the UK and European markets as well.

I have no clue where to start. What are the "must do's" to get a good start in those markets? Which Search engines should I attack first?

[Ove]

Hi Liane
I would go for Fast its the biggest in europe.

/Ove

[Rusky]

Hi Liane

You must start with a .co.uk domain as these are the domains that are usually left after the country specific filtering has taken place at the main engines.

It can be done with a .com domain, but it is easier with the country specific suffix.

Cheers

Rusky

[Rumbas]

Liane,
I would certainly start by reading:
WebmasterWorld's 3rd quarterly European SEO strategy primer(S):

Part 1 [webmasterworld.com]
Part 2 [webmasterworld.com]

The Primers cover anything from multiple domain extensions (dot-de, dot-dk etc.) to translations etc.
For more on translations, you should notice:

Translations will get you top rankings in major engines [webmasterworld.com]
Translations and customer support [webmasterworld.com]

Furthermore I would also take a look at:
Is good SEO practise enough in Europe? [webmasterworld.com]
Where we discuss the options in Europe concerning SEO methods and try to get a fix on wether advanced methods is needed or you can go a long way with just good optimisation.

Finally I would read Pay for Play in Europe [webmasterworld.com] to get a fix on the "Pay for.." situation here.

There you go; a little reading to get you going. When done, pop back in here to get the latest buzz and answers to your questions. I'll bet you will have some really good ones by then :)

[Liane]

Thanks guys ... there is some good reading there but I will have to leave it for a little while. We are having horrendous thunder storms here right now and the house is getting ready to float away. Back when I can slosh back to my office!

Anybody have any good flood and mud slide sites I can visit?

[4eyes]

Liane - hold on to your mouse and we will all pull from this end:)

Stay Dry!