Client has 3 websites, for various locations & duplicate content is a big issue...Is my solution the best?

[Jon_bangonline]

Hi guys,

I have a client who has 3 websites all for different locations in the same state in Australia.

Obviously this is not the best practice but in the meeting he said that each area is quite particular about where they do business. What he means is that people from one area want to do business with a website from that particular area.

He has 3 domains and we have duplicate content issues. We are solving these at the moment with the canonical tag however they are redesigning the site soon.

My suggestion is that we have 1 domain and sub domains for the other 2 areas. This way the people from that area will see the company is from their area.

Also this way we have 1 domain to optimise and build domain authority for.

Has anyone else come across this and is my solution the best for this?

Thanks!

Jon

[KeriMorgret]

HI Sanket,

The poster is not talking about international content, but three locations within the same state.

If you quote from another source, it's helpful to let the community know the source of the post so they can find more information (and is a courtesy to the blog author as well). For more information about the first main paragraph, http://www.seomoz.org/blog/duplicate-content-in-a-post-panda-world is the source article from Dr. Pete.

As for spinning content, I would not advise spun content.

[SanketPatel]

hi,

There are two solution for the Local SEO :

If you want to create pages for targeting geographic location then you have to post unique content for every geographic region and If you aren’t willing to make that investment, then don’t create the pages. They’ll probably backfire. This site is best example for your problem: http://bandelal.com/

[LucasGarvin]

I second this. I have dealt with clients that have done the same thing. Have one domain (ie companyname.com) and use the footer to display the contact info for each location. Try not to promote any office more than the other and there shouldn't be an issue. In my experience the visitors will not care.

Do really awesome local SEO and set up places pages for each location, etc.

[EGOL]

How would this client feel about a single website with a top banner that proclaimed:

Stores in Sydney, Canberra and New Castle!

I am willing to bet one month's pay that a single site will be more successful than three separate sites.