Billingual websites and meta tags

[Moonlilly]

Hi!

If I have a billingual site with an index page pointing to each language, can I use the keyword meta tag twice on the same page, or do I have to combine all of my keywords? Same with the description meta tag and the language one...

[Ryan Fait]

I'm assuming you have a French and an English version as you're in Canada. Instead of using a splash page, you would be much better off (both usability and SEO) to choose a default language and show people the home page in that language. Then use a flag or something to let people know they switch to the other language.

If you really wanted to get fancy, you could use PHP cookies so your site remembers a visitor's language preference the next time they come to your site.

[Moonlilly]

Hi Ryan!

That's an excellent idea that I will keep in mind for my next sites, but this client absolutely wants his splash page. Seeing as it's not a very complicated one, I decided to put both the french and english keywords (you were right about the languages ) together in the one tag. However, I have another question: Would the following tag be acceptable?

<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Language" CONTENT="FR-CA, EN-CA">

Or do I need to (or can I) put 2 tags like this:

<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Language" CONTENT="FR-CA">
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Language" CONTENT="EN-CA">

Also, you got me thinking (I think I know the answer, but I would like to double check...) Will the different search engines only find the index page, or can they find the other pages on their own?

Thanks!

[Ryan Fait]

Just leave the meta tag out on the splash page.

[Moonlilly]

Ok, will that affect my visibility in the search engines though? (Please forgive my ignorance in the subject...:fish2: )

P.S. Here is the address for the site that will be up in less than 1 hour incase anyone is curious... www.atelierdudruide.com

The "client" is actually my husband, and you know how picky artists can be:lac: LOL !

[Ryan Fait]

No, meta tags aren't used my Google very much. I highly doubt it would hurt your rankings even slightly. It might even help them.

[Moonlilly]

Ok, I will take your advice then... Thanks so much for your time!

[pa007]

Nice design there, I really like the color.

But tables. You know I thought I would be used to it by now, but every time I right click > view source, it pretty much makes my heart bleed every time. You see a simple, well though out site and then the tables come along and abuse your senses. Such a shame.

Moonlilly, if you get the time try converting this to a tabless design. It's for the best in the long run. If you do decide to do this, come back here and we'll help you through it.

Pete.

[Moonlilly]

I know, I know... I started out using div boxes, but my inexperience made it line up funny all the time. But I promise to practice and someday convert it

[pa007]

Well when you do decide to chnge it, you'll get lots of support here. It's quite simple really and when you understnad css layout it's pretty fun too.

Pete.

[Moonlilly]

Thanks for the moral support :w00t:

[pa007]

I guess it's just a shame I can't type really.

No problem.

Pete.