Can anyone recommend a Google-friendly way of utilising a large number of individual yet similar domains related to one main site?

[AndrewAkesson]

I have a client who has one main service website, on which they have local landing pages for some of the areas in which they operate. They have since purchased 20 or so domains (although in the process of acquiring more) for which the domain names are all localised versions of the service they offer. Rather than redirecting these to the main site, they wish to operate them all separately with the goal of ranking for the specific localised terms related to each of the domains.

One option would be to create microsites (hosted on individual C class IPs etc) with unique, location specific content on each of the domains.

Another suggestion would be to park the domains and have them pointing at the individual local landing pages on the main site, so the domains would just be a window through which to view the pages which have already been created.

The client is aware of the recent EMD update which could affect the above. Of course, we would wish to go with the most Google-friendly option, so I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice about how would be best to handle this?

Many thanks in advance!

[EGOL]

I would let those domains expire and buy beer with the savings.  

Or, if I was in a more aggressive mood, spend the money on my content attack.

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Have you thought about going down the sub-domain route Matt? This is one of those occasions where it could work well. What you suggest in having to hide sites by having them hosted on different CIP's, is borderline Grey / Black hat and not something I would advise. If Google catches wind of what is going on (and they can), then they might wonder why this has been done and the only answer is to try and game them.

Remember, Google has a huge 10,000+ army of human raters that can always pick this kind of thing up if an algorithm doesn't.

You are right about the EMD update as well - they will get less from this.

I have seen job-boards get caught out trying to go down this route so tread carefully if you still plan on taking it. Speaking from experience here.

Andy