Search marketing Asia

[caragh]

Hi,

I'm trying to find information on search engine marketing in Asia, in particular China, Japan and Malaysia.

Can anyone point me in the right direction of which engines are most popular?, who controls what engines and how best to market sites in English to an Asian market?

Thanks in advance.

[bill]

caragh that's an awfully big question. We have an entire forum dedicated to this issue and I doubt it could be summarized down into one post.

The first step you should take is to start reading through the posts in this forum. There are a lot of great threads that will answer a number of your questions. If you get stuck on specific issues then you can ask more focused questions. If your questions are too broad you won't get a very good response. Keep in mind that each market in Asia is unique in terms of language, culture and markets. Sometimes there are even sub-markets within larger country markets. This can be a very complex region.

[GrendelKhan TSU]

what bill said. ;)

I'm just curious... what made you pick China, Japan, and Malaysia? that's an interesting three (notably Malaysia).

And no Korea? (lol don't worry I'm not being defensive^^). Korea is a very competitive and advanced internet market, and completely different animal than the rest. So I can understand perhaps excluding it, but just wondering if there was a specific reason you picked those.

<< GrendelKhan{TSU} in the Korean market ;)

[caragh]

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses.

Sorry, I wasn't specifically leaving out Korea; these were just the three markets our client had mentioned. I will pass on your comment regarding Korea.

After posting, I did find the forum relating to this area. There was a lot in it! Am I correct in understanding that a website should be in the language of the country and that search engine optimisation of the site is crucial in these markets Vs PPC or adwords?

[GrendelKhan TSU]

lol ic ic. really I wasn't being defensive...just curious. ^^

but yah the Korean internet market the arguably the most "advanced" and difference market in the world. Tons of unique and wildly successful products are coming out of Korea. Diggin a little around here will give a bit of an idea of what I mean.

I did find the forum relating to this area. There was a lot in it! Am I correct in understanding that a website should be in the language of the country and that search engine optimisation of the site is crucial in these markets Vs PPC or adwords?

yes, to the first point about language, and not necessarily to the second about SEO (at least that is certainly NOT a given in the Korean market).

Depends on the product of course...but basically SEO is much LESS useful here than other markets (not that it is BAD but other methods can be 10 fold more effective.)

Again, some searches about that will give me more detail...but if your client picks up more interest about the K market, feel free to ask more questions. :)

[bill]

Am I correct in understanding that a website should be in the language of the country and that search engine optimisation of the site is crucial in these markets Vs PPC or adwords?

Generally, yes. You can certainly do PPC in many of the markets here, but you really need to have your sites and content up to snuff to make any headway. That means a professional looking site with well written content that targets the local markets. You'll want professionally translated content. Straight translation often isn't enough. You may have to alter your pitch from market to market.

[caragh]

Thanks Guys, both very helpful responses. Gives me a lot to start looking at!

[Woz]

Caragh, bill has it right when he says "You may have to alter your pitch from market to market." Infact, the best thing you can do to start is put your western mind on hold for a while and start thinking Asian, because you are targeting a market that has completely differentmodes, expectations and head spaces from what we are normally used to.

We have had numerous discussions along these lines, they would be a good start for your reading pleasure.

Webdesign for Asia [webmasterworld.com]

Creating a Chinese Language Site [webmasterworld.com]

The importance of hosting in China [webmasterworld.com]

Getting Started in China [webmasterworld.com]

What encoding for japanese Sites [webmasterworld.com]

Korean Internet RULES! but your not invited [webmasterworld.com]

Examples of new Korean SE solutions [webmasterworld.com], and my favourite,

To Alternate Serps and Beyond! [webmasterworld.com]

There are more golden threads but it may take a while dig for them, don't get lost.

Onya
Woz

[caragh]

Thanks Woz, the more info the better!