Hosting server location

[MarPlo]

Hi,

Does it matter the location of the hosting server?

For example, if I have a wensite in english, but the hosting server is in Spain, and I want target users from UK, USA, Canada; is it better in search engines to use a server from these countries?

Also, the search engines check the server location, or it matters in Page Rank?

[floridaflatlander]

I wouldn't think so in the long run, use googles web master tools to register your web site. Then register on other search engines. http://www.wordsinarow.com/search-engines.html

 

 

Do you want english or spanish speaking people at your site?

[Christian F.]

The only time it matters is if your server has a slow connection to any of the regions your visitors come from. In the vast majority the answer is "no, it doesn't". If it does, then there's either a transitional problem somewhere along the line, or a really, really cheap host.

 

For SEO it doesn't matter at all.

[scootstah]

In my opinion, you should host the server near your largest target audience.

 

I don't think it would matter for SEO. The only thing that I can think of that would make a difference is the TLD. I'm sure region is factored into some results.

[floridaflatlander]

Just for a heads up I was suggesting to register on sreach engines to let them know you're there quicker not for SEO.

[The Little Guy]

I am pretty sure it doesn't matter where the server is located, as long as the content doesn't violate any of search engines rules. A good TLD name will help Google/Yahoo/Bing/etc. target the member properly.

 

If you have the following domains:

mysite.de

mysite.cn

 

and your searching from China, the .cn domain will probably be higher than the .de returned in the Google search

A lot more info: http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=182192

 

As for speed, the closer the server is to the user the faster the site will be.

[scootstah]

As for speed, the closer the server is to the user the faster the site will be.

 

That depends on a lot of factors... but, yeah, in theory you're correct.

[rythemton]

As for speed, the closer the server is to the user the faster the site will be.

 

That depends on a lot of factors... but, yeah, in theory you're correct.

Closer to the server will lower latency, but speeds will be dictated by bandwidth.

 

A server very close with a DSL line will have much slower max speeds than a OC-48 server thousands of miles away. Someone connecting with a Dialup line (are these even still in use?) will see faster speeds from the DSL, only because the dialup line will be the bottleneck. Someone with a DSL line the same speed as the server's DSL line may see faster speeds from the DSL, unless the server is responding to multiple requests. Someone with a T4 will see much better rates from the OC-48 server.

 

There are a lot of factors involved: number of hops, bottlenecks (sections with slower speeds), server load, etc. Location doesn't matter for SEO. I'd suggest choosing based on your customers. If using a cheaper server that is further away saves you and/or your customers money, it may be worth it.