As the world becomes increasingly globalised, it’s more important than ever for businesses to have a strong international SEO strategy. If you want to be competitive on a global scale, you need to understand that a strategy that works for users from your country might not necessarily be effective abroad. But what is international SEO? What are its benefits and challenges? Let’s have a look!
What is International SEO?
International SEO is the process of optimising your website for global search engine visibility. It’s a complex and ever-changing process, but the goal is simple: to make your website visible and accessible to as many people as possible, no matter where they are in the world. This can involve translating your content into different languages, targeting different keywords, and customising your site for different cultural norms.
What are the benefits of International SEO?
International SEO can provide several benefits to your business. First, it allows you to reach a larger audience. Second, it can help you rank higher in search engines for certain keywords. And third, it can help you better understand the needs and wants of customers in different markets.
Research conducted by CSA Research in 2020 shows that 40% of global consumers will only buy products listed in their native language. So, if you want to avoid losing potential customers, while at the same time expanding your business into new markets, international SEO is a great way to get started.
What are the challenges of International SEO?
International SEO involves many of the same principles used in traditional SEO, such as keyword research and content optimisation. However, it also requires a deeper understanding of the cultural context of each target market, as well as a different language for each market. Additionally, managing multiple international websites can be a challenge in itself!
Understanding cultural differences is key in international SEO. For example, certain colors or symbols might have different meanings in different cultures. You need to be aware of these differences and adjust your website accordingly. Finally, you need to optimise for different search engines used around the world, such as Baidu (China), Yandex (Russia), and Naver (South Korea).
Best practices of International SEO
There are several specific techniques that you can use while implementing an international SEO strategy:
- Optimise for local keywords: Different countries have different search terms, so it is important to research and include local keywords in your website content.
- Translate your content: If you want to reach customers in other countries, you’ll need to make sure your content is available in their language. You should also consider adapting the tone of the content to fit with each culture’s expectations.
- Use localised URLs: Using country-specific URLs can help boost your website’s rankings on local SERPs.
- Take advantage of structured data markup: Structured data markup – such as Schema – can help search engines better understand your website’s content and its relevance to different countries and languages. This can improve how your site shows up on local SERPs.
At Wecommerce Digital, we specialize in the design and growth of online stores. We use the most recent algorithm trends and insights to implement an SEO strategy that will improve your rankings, increase click-through rates, and drive more relevant traffic to your key pages. Visit our website today at wecommercedigital.com!
