International SEO Agency

Google isn’t the only search engine. Although it has 92% of the global market share, in some countries other search engines are prominent. For example, China has Baidu and Japan has Yahoo! Each search engine has its own requirements for technical SEO, so thorough research and some form of prior knowledge are strongly advised.

URL structure is a key element of international SEO, as it helps both users and search engines to understand the geographic or language targeting of your website. The correct international URL structure can improve rankings, reduce confusion for users, and guard against duplicate content. Each URL structure has its own pros and cons. Whether you need a ccTLD, subfolder or subdomain, we can ensure it’s done right.

Hreflang tags are a cornerstone of international SEO. We’ll implement the right tags for the language and region that your pages are targeting. There are other complexities too, such as consistent Bi-Directional tags, the usage of self-referencing hreflang, correct placement in the code, and interactions with canonical tags. Navigating the nuances of hreflang is essential to ensure your website gets a global boost and is seen by your intended audience.

Providing high-quality content in the target audience’s native language is essential. Auto-translation tools should be avoided, as they often result in inaccurate or awkward phrasing. We don’t just advocate translating the language of your content, but strive to adapt the narrative to reflect local culture, customs, currency, and preferences. This builds trust and relevance for international users.

Backlinks are vital for all SEO, especially off-page, but they serve a specific purpose for international SEO. Gaining backlinks from the country you’re targeting increases your credibility and reaches local users. Listing your business in international directories, partnering with influencers, and obtaining backlinks via high-quality content helps to position your site in front of users in your target countries, boosting your SEO standing.

When planning an international SEO strategy, metadata must not be overlooked. We’ll ensure that page titles, meta descriptions, and alt text are translated and optimised for each language. We’ll use keywords that are relevant to international search intent, and make sure translations are accurate. For example, word order flexibility differs between languages; poorly-translated metadata not only frustrates users, but may also be flagged as low-quality content.

A holistic content strategy is crucial for SEO success. For international SEO, region-specific content strategies should be developed. Blog posts, guides, or whitepapers that address local concerns, interests, or trends should all be part of your plans.

Adhering to relevant regulations in each country is not only an important part of your international SEO checklist, but a legal necessity. Your website must always comply with local laws and regulations, such as data privacy laws (like GDPR in Europe and PIPL in China).

To convert international users into paying customers, you need to offer suitable payment and delivery options. Providing local solutions (such as PayPal in the UK and US, or WeChat Pay in China) builds trust and increases the likelihood of conversions from your customers.