Key Factors of a Good International SEO Strategy    

International SEO is a vital aspect for businesses looking to expand their reach and tap into new markets. With the growing demand for global connectivity, companies must adopt a comprehensive international SEO strategy to stay ahead of the competition. But what are the key factors that make an international SEO strategy effective? From identifying target markets to conducting keyword research, there are several must-do steps that businesses should take to ensure their international SEO efforts are successful. In this article, we will explore the essential elements of an international SEO strategy that businesses should consider to boost their online visibility and reach a wider audience. 

What To Expect From a Technical Standpoint  
 
 

Implement Hreflang Tags:  

Hreflang tags are crucial HTML attributes that ensure the right audience views a web page in the correct language and location. They are the most important element to consider when internationalizing your company’s .com. These tags inform search engines which country and language version of the webpage to display for a specific search query. By using the hreflang attribute, the webpage can be accurately targeted to the appropriate audience. For instance, a webpage targeting Spanish-speaking users in Mexico would use the hreflang attribute “es-mx,” while a webpage targeting French-speaking users in Canada would use “fr-ca.” 

Use Geotargeting: 

Geotargeting is the practice of targeting specific regions or countries with different versions of a website. Geotargeting can be done using several methods, such as IP geolocation or user preferences. It’s crucial to use geotargeting to ensure that users are directed to the right version of the website 

ccTLDs

Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) are specific top-level domains assigned to a country or region, like .co.uk for the United Kingdom or .de for Germany. Incorporating ccTLDs in a website’s URL can offer SEO benefits by helping search engines quickly identify the target country. However, this approach can be pricier and require more upkeep. 

Subdirectories 

Subdirectories are folders within a domain, such as example.com/fr/ for French or example.com/de/ for German. This option is less expensive and requires less maintenance than ccTLDs. However, it may not be as effective for targeting specific countries. 

What To Expect Content-Wise 

Determine the Target Markets 

The first step is to determine the target markets that the website will target. Once the target markets are identified, the SEO strategy should be created to cater to the specific needs of those markets. 
 
 

Internationalization 

 
To ensure that a website is able to effectively reach users in different markets, it is important to internationalize it by optimizing it to meet the needs of those users. This includes considering cultural differences when designing the site structure, navigation, and overall design. For example, Middle East and east Asian subdomains are to be redesigned in order to accommodate the audience’s reading patterns that are different in some of these cultures. 

Backlinks:  

Building quality backlinks from relevant and authoritative websites in your target countries can help to improve your website’s visibility and search rankings.  

 
Localized content: 

Creating content that is tailored to the specific needs and interests of your target audience helps to establish a connection with them and build trust. When creating localized content, it is important to consider not just the language, but also cultural nuances, preferences, and customs. This means that companies need to invest in high-quality translation services to ensure that their content is accurately translated and that the message is conveyed effectively. This can comprehend: website localization, articles, country specific social media accounts ecta.