I have a market that needs addressed on an international level so I'm looking at this: http://wordpress.org/plugins/multilingual-press/
...any thoughts about ranking in other languages, other than translation tools suck?
We've done a lot - almost exclusively - nonenglish stuff. We've either had native translators do the localization which is a must if you're serious about your market. 2nd best option would be to have a translation agency do it for you. We have a great partner that takes your english text, throw it though Bing translate (to prevent Google paranoia) and have local guys proof read and edit the copy. 3rd option is just to throw the stuff through Bing and let it rip as it is. We've done that too and it works fine for cannon fodder and copy that no-one reads anyway.
Let me know if you need any pointers.
<edited for speeeeling>
oh, good, you know Filipino, I was worried no one would answer...
Do you actually try to submit to country specific sites and directories? Or do you just assume everyone uses google?
Lol, I know jack shit Filipino, but Bing is your friend ;-)
Everyone uses Google - except in Russia. We do however use directories to seed the first links, but only as fire & forget. When we do build links locally, we usually hook up with a local and preferrably someone we know. Mainly Euro languages/countries though. Got a couple o Indians to handle the local bulk directory subs tho.
>Lol, I know jack sh## Filipino
oh, that's ok, I don't know Filipino either... it doesn't matter... I was just trying to find an SEO who knew how to use online translation tools ;D
>We do however use directories to seed the first links
Yeah, that's what I figured.
Last question: do you use actually use country specific TLDs on remotely hosted accounts based in the country you are targeting? In my case, they are searching THERE, for something only available HERE in Florida. Conceptually speaking, do you think it is better to work off of directories on one domain, language/country subdomains, or do you think remotely hosted separate TLDs offer an advantage/disadvantage?
Translation tools suck...
ccTLDs are where it's at these days. They get categorized correctly in the SERPs most of the time.
Hosting location doesn't seem to make a noticeable difference unless you are targeting China.
>Hosting location doesn't seem to make a noticeable difference unless you are targeting China.
Thanks, Bill, that is actionable info.
Bill said it. Go for ccTLD's evne though some of them will burn a huge hole in your pocket.