server location for google

ocallagh

I am re-designing a website for a hotel, their server is loacted in the US. Would it be better hosting this in Ireland or would the US location actually be of benefit to the hotel (presuming most visitors to the site are from US)?

Evil Phil

I don't think the server location is going to make a difference to the customers or google. From your point of view having it in Ireland might make sense. There's good companies in Ireland, they're in the same time-zone and are just the cost of a local call away. Makes running the server a lot easier in my experience.

ocallagh

I think google take into account the physical location of the server, for example searching www.google.ie, websites hosted in Ireland will appear top, similar to www.google.co.uk but with www.google.com I'm not sure what the rule is as .com is both US and International.

Also, I'm not sure how clever google is. If an american user on www.google.com searches for an Irish hotel does google then give priority to servers located in Ireland?

Hydrosylator

When you register a website with google, you are given a choice of countries from which to choose the location you wish to be associated with. That's using Google Webmaster Tools, which is very good.

I don't know for sure, but a .ie might be a help too.
I agree with Evil Phil that the server location will make a whole pile of difference.

Eoin

A .ie domain will still appear in a "pages from Ireland" google search, even if the site is physically hosted abroad.

ocallagh

Thanks, I agree, having a landline support number 9-5 is invaluable so I will do my best to switch them over!

I think with the Webmaster Tools account I can close this one off!

Eoin

I've had no problems with hosting abroad, especially as the UK is in the timezone.

ocallagh

I've had problems in the US, nothing awful but you end up relying on their online support systems which is fine unless you need something fixed asap.

Sposs

Also remember that if they need to work on the server , out of hours in america is in hours in Ireland.

Eoin

Again, there's always the UK.