Can I host my site in a different country ?

[Gary48]

Someone told me the other day that the search engine results are different depending on the country you live in. Meaning that if I do a search for " kitchens " for talking sake, in the UK, I would get different results than if I did the same search from somewhere in the US. Can anyone confirm this and also if it is true, is it then possible to host your site in a different country from that of your actual location. I would imagine that depending on your chosen niche, that could have a considerable affect on your success. No point in promoting sand in the Sahara !
Thanks again to all who help.

 

[djbaxter]

Someone told me the other day that the search engine results are different depending on the country you live in. Meaning that if I do a search for " kitchens " for talking sake, in the UK, I would get different results than if I did the same search from somewhere in the US. Can anyone confirm this

Yes, this is often, though not always the case, at least for Google. The primary reason is probably because there are fewer competing results for any given search term in a regional Google than in Google.com.

and also if it is true, is it then possible to host your site in a different country from that of your actual location. I would imagine that depending on your chosen niche, that could have a considerable affect on your success.

In order to be listed in one of the regional Googles you need clear indication that your business is in that region. The primary factors that indicate your location are

1. where the site is hosted, i.e., the location of the servers
2. the TLD of the domain name (i.e., .com, .ca. .co.uk, etc.)

You don't need both; either one will work. I have a .ca site hosted in the us which ranks well in both google.com and google.ca. One of my competitors who also ranks well is a .com site hosted in Canada.

 

[yanamk]

If your website provides only local services, then it is beneficial to host the site in your country. For example, the site will load faster for visitors from your country and your site might get higher ranking in the local search engines (including local google).

 

[Gary48]

The reason I have asked this question is as follows. With the exception of my wife and daughters, golf is my biggest passion in life. I could very easily talk to you about the subject until you begged for mercy. I have absolutely taken on board the idea that you should concentrate on a subject that interests you, and yes I know golf is a huge and competitive Market but I want to concentrate on a very particular product which I honestly believe is vastly under serviced. The thing is that I am based in Glasgow, Scotland but the US Market is vastly bigger than my local Market for this product. How then does someone in Scotland focus more on the US Market ?

 

[djbaxter]

The thing is that I am based in Glasgow, Scotland but the US Market is vastly bigger than my local Market for this product. How then does someone in Scotland focus more on the US Market ?

By using a .com domain, hosting in the US, and deemphasizing the Scotland connection in your content.

 

[Gary48]

Thanks again for tips.