Does Hosting location impact on local search results?

[RobertFisher]

Ian,

Assuming you are hosting in Europe on a generic TLD, and you want to rank in Houston for Auto Body Repair, you will need to go into GWMT and set your location. You will need to set language as en-us.

On your pages you will need to insure that you show a Houston address and make the content Houston relevant.

A suggestion is to include Google Map code showing location of Houston business.

Also, it is imperative for local ranking to have your Google + for business verified.

I hope this helps,

Robert

[yoonet]

Thanks for the zippy answer Robert!

To refine my question, I'm in Brisbane Australia, and my server is in the states... does it matter?

Is it worth me getting a server locally with rankings as the ultimate motivation?

Thank you,

Ben.

[RyanKent]

I agree with everything Robert shared and would suggest you watch the following short videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXt23AXlJJU and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keIzr3eWK8I

Keep in mind those videos are from 2009. With that said, I would suggest the server's location is one of numerous signals Google uses to determine relevancy.

[yoonet]

Thank you Ryan, that was very helpful.

I have always enjoyed good rankings doing the same simple, trusted stuff.. the allure of ssd drives sent me to the states but the site is not doings anything locally... Time to rethink me thinks!

[RobertFisher]

As to changing servers just for rankings, I would not personally unless it was an easy switch for you. Remember, with what I detailed, you should be fine to rank in Brisbane following those steps. 
Best

[yoonet]

That's so helpful mate, thank you!

[RyanKent]

I have a server with SSD drives myself...love it! But even if you cannot find such a configuration in your country you can consider using Amazon's AWS or a similar service for cloud hosting.

[yoonet]

Good advice, thank you!

[yoonet]

For the life of me I can't find where to update those details in GWMT, can anybody please help me there?

[RobertFisher]

Go to GWMT and in home page select the site you want.

Select Configuration

Select Settings

To right you will see: Target users in......... Brisbane mate. (not really, but it would be funny)

Hope it helps,

[yoonet]

Ha ha love it!

Your site's domain is currently associated with the target: Australia..

automatic for .com.au then?

Thanks Robert!