Optimizing 2 identical sites for different States

[MeghanS]

We have 2 websites that are about 99% similar in content, the only difference being the references to the State (CO and IN) and location information.  Any recommendations on meta information or other ways to make sure we are not penalized for duplicate content?  Thanks in advance!

[customerparadigm.com]

Meghan -

This is a pretty common occurrence with companies that have locations in different areas... especially if the ownership is slightly different.

What I would do is add as much unique content to each site, including:

• Photographs of each location, inside, outside, merchandise.
• Directions to the location from different areas.  For example, for the Colorado location, give driving directions from DIA (airport), downtown Denver, Boulder, Grand Junction and Colorado Springs.
• Customer testimonials that are unique to each location.
• Local resources in each area.  For example, if the location sells picture frames, put together a list of photographers in the area who are able to create amazing, award-winning images to fill those frames.  Get images from those photographers to add to the site, and testimonials, etc.  Another example might be if the location is a hotel or motel... you could list the "must see" attractions, restaurants around the business.
• Try to make sure your page names are different.  Instead of /about-us/ or /about.html for the "About page" name this page /about-Denver-Colorado-businessname/ and /about-Indiana-Business-Name/ to keep page names as different as possible.
• Use a slightly different methodology for Title and Description tags as well.
• If possible, use different image names, sizes and alt-tag description for the images in the navigation and throughout the two different sites.
• Consider using RDFa microtagging to keep the sites Name, Address, Phone # information (NAP) separate and distinct.
• Consider using different Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterst pages to keep things separate.
• Consider using different hosting providers to keep the C-blocks as separate as you can.  You could try hosting one site in Indiana and one in Colorado, or just use two different hosting companies.

Hope this helps!
-- Jeff

[WhiteboardCreations]

Meghan,

The main focus should be around having as much original content in the sites as possible. If you create future content, don't duplicate that content too, be creative and unique when writing about the same topic. Put different ideas into it, make one 5 Tips and other 9 Tips so to speak or How To and Things to Know twists. Applying a lot of what Jeff mentioned above will be beneficial as well. Those were all great points! All the best in your launches!

Patrick