.com and .net both ranking well - same site though

[rden17]

My company's website has both the .com and .net domains. These were set up way before I came aboard, so I'm not sure if one is just parked, or what. They are the same content/site though.

Here's the thing, we are currently ranking #11 on google with .net and #19 for .com for our keyword (this keyword btw is VERY competetive)

I didn't realize both were separate, and had always assumed that this would be a problem as duplicate content, but at this point, looks like is anything but a problem, giving us 2 listings on page 2 of an extremely competetive keyword.

Is this just a fluke? Not sure if we should do 301 redirect for one of them to the other or not. Any advice?

[Quadrille]

A 301 from .net to .com would keep one listing on page two, and after a while, this may move up to page one, as all future links and marketing would be to the one site.

And it would remove the risk. It's interesting that the current situation has occurred - but that doesn't mean it will stay that way!

[rden17]

We have always been on page 1 or 2 for this keyword with the .net domain which is the one we market and link to. This is the first time I have seen the .com show up in the SERPS, especially so high up.

I agree, I think for the long run, we would benefit more with everything pointing at the same thing, ie our domain.net

[Pradyumna]

I feel its better that you have your two sites for that competitive keyword.
I would say, better make one site a blog or something which has a different content

[webdude]

rden17,

IMHO, I would definitely nix one of the domains and redirect to another. I would choose the domain that ranks higher. I know page 2 sounds good, but I believe that what you are seeing is an anamolly. It could be that the .com was in supplemental and has temporarily gone to the normal SERPs. I have seen this happen, and the way the SERPs are fluctuating right now, all bets are off as to what is going on. I bet a redirect, after a few weeks, would push your result higher.

[vite_rts]

high guys

is there any advantage to choosing a .net over a .com or vice versa?

I 've got a very techie domain that i've recently started taking seriously, marketing wise,

similar situation. .com & .net pointing at the same content, .net raqnks best on google, but I've noticed that .com ranks best on all other SE's

I am think of optimising .com for USA audience, an .NET for international audience, now using content modified for each target market, does this make sense?

[Quadrille]

.com trumps everything.

If the visitor remembers tanything, it's the'word' - and they'll default to .com in most brwosers and many searches.

using .net, even if you avoid serious content overlap, would still be a source of potential confusion; the English language audience simply does not divide neatly along national boundaries, especially if both are hosted in the same country. Clue: WWW ;)

Unless you have a genuine role (eg forum, blog) as suggested above, the n the downside of maintaining two twin domains outweighs the up (again, as suggested above). In the short term, maybe no worries ... in the linger term, who knows. Resist that temptation! :)

[rden17]

yeah, we're going to redirect everything to .net
Our particular business has pushed the .net domain in all marketing and branding, plus we are a net company that's been around since 1996. It's part of the logo and everything. I know .com is usually the preferred TLD to go with in most instances, but for us .net works.

I agree, this dual listing is most likely an anomoly and will disappear as quickly as it appeared. We usually float between the 1st and 2nd pages of the SERPS, but lately have seen a lot of really strange results.

Thanks again for all the input!