Setting up multiple language versions of a site

how best to set up domains for multiple language versions of a site

[yvonny]

launching a new site, example.com. we will initially launch with 4 languages. Just trying to decide on the best way to structure the foreign language version.

Do we use

1. Subdomains - fr.example.com (which we have done for one of our other websites, it seems to work ok but I'm still not fully convinced)

2. example.com/fr

Unfortunately we dont have example.fr or example.de etc so thats not an option...

Any advice on this and any other issues relating to translating a content rich site into different languages would be great......

Thanks

Yve

[Pass the Dutchie]

If you want to set up sites that you want to compete well in local SERPS then you need to have country specific domains. There are ways around it but it will require ten times more IBL or black hat methids. Forget subs. If you want to target the German speaking market you need a .de likewise for .fr. If your domain is already registered in these countries then change domain or face a long up hill struggle. Localisation is key in current Google alog.