Search Engine - Multiple product or single product optimisation?

[charlie]

That's probably not a very clear topic so to explain ...

Client has a site that includes Car Training, HGV and LCV Training, Coach and Mini bus training etc ..... And the tags and content reflect this.


He has a theory though that having seperate sites for each type of training with tags and content specific to that relevant type of training results in better search engine positioning in Google.

I'm not sure though personally doubt it .... anyone know ?

ta

[sarahA]

I wouldn't recommend it. Why reduce content for each site and have several weaker sites compared to a content rich single domain, making it much stronger, not having a spread of external links around (from elsewhere).

Not to mention the additional costs involved anyway. If you/he does go ahead with it then the most suitable way is to use a different IP, design and structure for each to completely separate them from each other. Which means different hosting on different servers, different sites to maintain etc.

[charlie]

Thanks Sarah  ... Kind of what I thought ..... his other logic was that people are ringing him for information instead of looking for it on the site .. he thinks it's because they aren't tech savvy and don't use the drop down menu !!!  Thinks it will be easier if he has smaller sites ... my gut feeling is that they would still ring him if they are that way inclined.

[Rosco]

he could list his "Contact Us" page at the bottom of the drop-down menu?

[sarahA]

Charlie you're right. Those that want to pick up the phone and call will continue to do so. It's how they prefer to do things. I prefer to email people when I'm not in a rush for an answer (or can't be bothered to speak to people), but at times I'll phone to get the answer there and then.

If he feels that people aren't using the drop down then either get the front page set up more as a portal and point to the various sections/depts on his site, and/or include a prominent sitemap link - all being if you don't already!

Plus, if you split the sections up there's far less chance for cross selling. If someone sees he just did car training and maybe wanted HGV training, they'd possibly just leave thinking he didn't do it.

[MattC]

he could list his "Contact Us" page at the bottom of the drop-down menu?

Send that man £5

[charlie]

thanks all .. will feed this back to him .. cheers :-)