Hosting location helps much?

**mixke** · 17 February, 2009, 13:36 PM

When stuck after aged domains on search results, you think 'hosting' location can help a site to beat the competition?

Assume target is to get visitors from a specific country.

**Will.Spencer** · 17 February, 2009, 13:42 PM

I don't think hosting location will help, but I do think that setting your WHOIS data to that country can help.

Have you also configured geo-targeting for the site in Google Webmaster Tools?

**mixke** · 17 February, 2009, 13:51 PM

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

I don't think hosting location will help, but I do think that setting your WHOIS data to that country can help.

Yea, I'm having a related WHOIS data. Not sure how much it can help but I guess it won't harm in any way

I cannot recall where I read about location of hosting, but I do remember that 'IP address' / location of server on which site is hosted can help.

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

Have you also configured geo-targeting for the site in Google Webmaster Tools?

Doing it now. Thanks

**Szise** · 17 February, 2009, 15:54 PM

I personally doubt the "Who is" info has any effect. Also i don't think the location will affect the SERPs directly but i saw the speed has importance for some people related to his SEO effect.

**mixke** · 17 February, 2009, 17:17 PM

But these two things won't harm and are not expensive

Apart from country specific domain and backlinks, what else do you guys suggest for optimizing a website for a specific country?

**Will.Spencer** · 18 February, 2009, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by mixke

Apart from country specific domain and backlinks, what else do you guys suggest for optimizing a website for a specific country?

You can get your site listed in Google Maps.

You can also embed Google Maps into your web site.

In another thread, RankSurge posted these helpful tips:

A few additional tips to get localized results...

Be sure to have your address listed all on one line as that is how the mapping applications process data.

Be sure to have driving directions to your business from each direction using well known roadways and landmarks

Se sure to list a local phone number

Be sure to get links to your site from regional directories

You should definitely read Loko's awesome thread Monetizing on a local niche.