How Do You Do International SEO?

Enhance website visibility globally through International SEO. Specify target countries and languages clearly.  

 

Many businesses use global websites to expand their reach, including individuals venturing into foreign markets through accessible website services. However, merely having a global site doesn’t guarantee success abroad.

 

Following standard SEO practices won’t ensure competitiveness in all target countries. While abundant international SEO information exists, much of it is outdated or inaccurate. In this article, you’ll explore vital aspects of international SEO.

Understanding International SEO  

Search engines like Google match results to user language and location. International SEO signals content relevance for specific countries or languages. It uses targeting, hreflang tags, URLs, and localization to reach global users.

Importance of International SEO  

Targeting international customers can bring immense opportunities to your footsteps. Let’s see:

Go Global with International SEO   

Expand your business globally with International SEO, targeting many countries simultaneously. For global brand recognition, include international SEO in your marketing strategy.

 

Attract Wider Organic   

Traffic extends your reach beyond your home country to acquire organic traffic from various nations. A well-planned global SEO strategy can boost your website’s traffic and improve your bottom line.

Boost Conversions   

Increased global rankings for high-purchase intent keywords can lead to more conversions. Seize international opportunities to generate more leads and revenue.

Establish an International   

Brand With robust international SEO, your brand can become a global player, catering to diverse cultures and expanding your market presence.

Content Marketing vs. Traditional Advertising   

Content marketing is a cost-effective investment with a superior ROI. Unlike traditional advertising, it doesn’t rely on ongoing ad expenses and delivers more leads, links, visitors, and indexed pages over time.

Step-By-Step Strategy to Skyrocket Your International SEO   

You will not target the location if you don’t take the proper steps. Simply follow these steps to optimize your international SEO performance.

 

A flawed plan hinders competition. When your SEO is right, you’ll see quick results.

1. Be Clear About Your Goals and Objectives  

Before delving into international SEO, gather data to guide your decision. Market reports and website stats are helpful, especially when convincing others.

 

Consider sources like government and trade organization websites for global business stats. Internet-related reports from reputable sources also provide valuable insights.

 

Your own analytics can reveal countries sending traffic to your site, making them potential markets to explore.

 

Take time to understand your requirements clearly. Do you have one global site or many?

 

If your market is substantial, having a separate website for each target country is best. This not only aids SEO but also improves user experience.

 

Different designs and content are possible. If not feasible initially, go for one site per language in target countries. It’s a good way to test the water. Fortunately, hreflang tags help Google understand each site’s language and country.

2. Select Your Target Countries   

Start by listing the countries where you want your products or services to appear in search results.

 

Create a spreadsheet with a sample list of target countries. Remember that your list can vary based on your goals and budget, but ensure it’s accurate.

 

Now, include the language spoken in your target country, like German for Germany or English for Britain. Additionally, add the domain-specific to that country’s search engines.

3. Hosting and GeoTargeting   

Does Hosting Location Matter? Website host location once impacted geotargeting in international SEO. Now, other signals matter more. Hosting affects page speed, so ensure swift access in target countries.

Navigating Geotargeting: What to Do? Geotargeting confuses many as they move from ccTLDs and local hosting. Popular methods include Google Search Console geolocation, Google’s hreflang tag, and Bing’s language meta tag.

 

Note: Google now considers the searcher’s location for results, unlike before, where different countries had different outcomes for the same keyword.

4. International SEO Localization   

Discover Search Interest: Localized keyword research reveals interest in your product or service across countries.

Overcoming Language Barriers: If not fluent, consider an international SEO agency or AI translation tools.

Main Steps in Research: Key steps for localized keyword research are outlined below.
a. List Important Keywords: Gather essential keywords from Google Search Console or generate a list based on customer search terms.
b. Localize Keywords: Translate keywords into native languages of target markets, considering local nuances.
c. Check Search Volume: Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Keyword Planner to verify search volume.
d. Explore Variations: If the search volume is low, test variations. Analyze successful pages to find potential keywords.
e. Match Search Intent: Translate high-volume keywords using Google Translate to ensure they align with your content.

Choose Pages for Localization: Prioritize countries to target based on keyword lists and search volumes.

  • Consider factors like current traffic, user journeys, and potential for linking.

  • Localize pages based on keyword research to optimize for SEO.

Note: Your keyword research is invaluable for both search interest and content localization.

Final Takeaway   

How was the article? Are you ready to apply the 4-step international SEO strategy?

 

Strategies will bring results when you work on them.

 

So, are you ready to make noise in the international market? Choose a reputable SEO agency!

 

I wish all the best for you. In the meantime, if you have any questions, let me know!