Different domains, different languages same look and feel

multiple domains all linked to each other, same content

[Princessjo]

We are in the process of buying up different domains in order to host our translated websites. They will all have our english branding and logo. The content will be the same except translated. The look and feel will be the same as our english site. All will link to each other through the main nav bar.

Will this be considered spamming by the search engines?

[heini]

No, it's a good way to set things up.
The only question is if the links between the translated sites will carry the same weight as links coming from outside the network (talking about Google here).

I always make sure to have links coming in to each site in the network, which point only to one of the sites. Try to get each site into local directories and the world section of the odp.

[Princessjo]

I always make sure to have links coming in to each site in the network, which point only to one of the sites.

Thanks Heini!

So this would mean registering them with the local google etc., like google.de and dmoz.org under deutsch section. So basically treat each one just like I did when I setup my english site 8 weeks ago? What about google ads/promotion? Should I just concentrate on promoting my english site from now on and redirect users to their specific language from my nav bar. I would still try to optimize each site via language specific keywords etc.,

Bear in mind we're a small business with not that much money for paid promotion.

[heini]

>registering them with the local google

You don't have to. Google just uses the main index and filters it for the local googles, depending on the search options set by the user.
Google and all other international engines use automatic language detection.

>dmoz
Yes, submit each translated version to the appropriate category under world/$language/

You might also try to get the translated sites in local directories like Yahoo or others. Those often are paid for inclusion though.

>treat each one just like I did when I setup my english site 8 weeks ago?
Yes, promote each site individually as best as you can. The individual site will profit, and the network will profit too. That's the beauty of setting up translated sites.

>google ads/promotion? Should I just concentrate on promoting my english site from now on and redirect users to their specific language from my nav bar

A far better way would be to do ads in local languages. You can target languages and countries individually from your control panel in Adwords.

[edited by: heini at 11:21 am (utc) on Oct. 16, 2003]

[Princessjo]

great heini, thanks a million.

[troels nybo nielsen]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, Princessjo.

There is (as usual) really no need to add anything to Heini's answers, but there are a couple of things that I would like to say anyway. When I build websites I use a couple of thumb's rules:

1. "Make it natural."
2. "Make it useful."

There are hundreds of links from some of my websites to some others of my websites and I have never for one single second worried if this could be considered spamming or linkfarming. The point is that all these links are in my opinion useful for my visitors. If I do not consider a link to be genuinely useful then I simply do not make it.

Another good rule:

"Be generous."

Of course you should not distract your visitors with outbound links just when they are going to buy something, but where relevant you should put some links to good websites that you do not control. There are many ways that such links might benefit you. One is that if your website is for some reason handchecked by a competitor or someone form a search engine then these links underline your intention of making good websites, not a linkfarm.