SEO for .com vs. .com.au websites

[gregelwell]

I have a new client from Australia who has a website on a .com.au domain. He has the same domain name registered for .com.

Example: exampledomain.com.au, and exampledomain.com

He started with the .com.au site for a product he offers in Australia. He's bringing the same product to the U.S. (it's a medical device product) and wants us to build a site for it and point to the .com.

Right now, he has what appears is the same site showing on the .com as on the .com.au. So both domains are pointing to the same host, but there are separate sections or directories within the hosting account for each website - and the content is exactly the same.

Would this be viewed as duplicate content by Google?

What's the best way to structure or build the new site on the .com to get the best SEO in the USA, maintain the .au version and not have the websites compete or be viewed as having duplicate content?

Thanks,

Greg

[gregelwell]

Thanks Corey, That's very helpful and seems to make sense. I'd assume too that each site would have separate GA tracking codes and Webmaster Tools profiles. Then, having them on separate serves and countries with localized content is another key factor.

[CoreyNorthcutt]

Actually, Google does understand International sites pretty well, so this may be one of the only scenarios where I wouldn't worry too much about duplicate content (although, if you can custom tailor to the local audience better, you'll probably be better off for it).   If you jump into Webmaster Tools, you have an option under Configure -> Settings -> Geographic Target, that allows you to give an extra vote of confidence for your AU site being just for AU people.   I'd also definitely consider hosting the .AU site in Australia and the .com in the U.S.- that is a ranking factor when we talk International SEO.

Over the long term, I'd keep an eye out for both domains appearing in the same index (ie. your .com showing in google.com.au).  That would be cause for some alarm, but it really shouldn't happen; they should just pick up the site that you've obviously targeted for that region of the world.