How do I get a UK website to rank in Dubai?

[Wagada]

We are trying to get a UK-based children's furniture website to rank in Dubai. We have had a couple of orders from wealthy expats in Dubai and it seems to be the correct target market. Does anyone have any specific knowledge of this area?

We are promoting the same website as for the UK market.

Also does anyone know any user behaviour stats on expatriates using search engines? Do they carry on using the version of Google they are used to, or do most change to the local version of Google?

Thanks in advance

[gfiorelli1]

Hi Wagada,

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[gfiorelli1]

I would consider your intuition from a different angle: if expats (and wealthy) are ordering stuff from my site... may it mean that they were already aware of my brand before going living out the UK?

That could be a reason...

If we want to not simply fall into a massive operation of link building in foreign countries or doing (an expensive) international SEO campaign, I would check out how many conversions are originated from abroad organic visits.

Then, I would create a specific landing page focused on expats - independently of the location - that may talk about things that matter to them (i.e.: delivery of the products, goods'transportation insurances...) and then started doing outreach site that probably are visited by expats (i.e.: just check this SERP related to UAE). You will be starting visible to them despite of (or complementing) Google and possibly earn referrals links and traffic.

[wissamdandan]

I have many clients in Dubai that they are either in UAE or From other countries targeting the UAE market. Google Prompts the user to change from .com to .ae. ( so they have the option to use either .ae or .com or .co.uk)

on the other hand, Google will provide results that most relevant to that region ( based on ip of the user)

You should track how did they convert from which keywords, social channel or any other marketing channel that led them to convert.

and see how you are performing in that region ranking wise and traffic wise in GA.

[Mike_Davis]

I only know what I do when I travel out of the country.  I always (without exception) go to Google.com instead of the country's version of Google that I'm visiting.  I'm positive that most everyone does as well.  It is just a little slice of home, just like reading English newspapers or visiting English Forums.  The only exception would be for local businesses, but that doesn't pertain to you anyways.  I would say that if you are ranking well for .co.uk that you should be fine if you are targeting ex-pats in Dubai.