SEO Localization vs. SEO Translation for Multilingual Websites
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 3:52 am
When you run a business and target local customers in your country, one of the ways to target them is through “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)”. SEO is the process of increasing website traffic through unpaid or organic search engine results. It allows your website to get more traffic as internet users are more likely to visit websites related to their search terms. And to improve your rankings on search engines like Bing, Google, and Yahoo, you need to create quality content that satisfies and attracts your target audience.
But what if you decided to go beyond your local target audience and strive to reach more international customers in other countries?
In this case, it is imperative that you optimize your websites for these countries. If your website content is published in your local language, you will need to have a strategy for the new country you are targeting.
However, let’s admit that translating content, meta titles, meta tags, and descriptions is not enough. You need to consider other cultural factors that impact your content, such as colors, images, etc. For example, if your website is based in the US and you would like to get traffic from Japan, you need to optimize your website and content for the Japanese market if you really want to penetrate this new market.
Furthermore, localizing content is not enough, as a localized SEO strategy must be considered for each target country.
According to Internet World Statistics , 58.8% of the world’s population is currently browsing the internet, while according to the latest Digital 2019 report , internet users spend at least 6 hours and 42 minutes online and half of that time is spent on mobile devices. So, with such a competitive market, you need to understand why SEO is truly an important tool for your business.
What is local SEO?
Local SEO, or local search engine optimization, refers to the process of benin phone number data optimizing a website or online presence to increase its visibility in local search results. It focuses on improving a business’s online visibility for location-specific searches, where users are looking for products, services, or information in their immediate geographic area.
Local SEO is crucial for businesses that have a physical location and serve customers in specific regions or cities. It helps them reach potential customers nearby and increase their chances of appearing in local search results, such as Google Maps or the local pack (the list of businesses displayed in response to a local search query).
The main goal of local SEO is to ensure that a business’s online presence is optimized for local searches, making it easier for local customers to find and interact with them. Some key elements of local SEO include:
Google My Business (GMB) Listing: Creating and optimizing a GMB profile, which includes accurate business information such as name, address, phone number (NAP), business hours, and customer reviews.
Local Citations: Ensuring consistent and accurate NAP information across multiple online directories, review sites, and other platforms.
On-page optimization: Optimizing website content, meta tags, and headings to include keywords and location-specific information.
Local Content: Creating and promoting relevant and informative content that targets local customers and meets their needs and interests.
Online reviews: Encouraging customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or industry-specific review sites. Positive reviews can improve visibility and reputation.
Local Link Building: Obtaining high-quality backlinks from local websites or organizations to increase local search rankings.
Local schema markup: Adding structured data markup to your website code to provide search engines with more specific information about your business, such as location, business type, and hours of operation.
Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly and optimized for local searches performed on mobile devices.
By implementing these strategies, businesses can improve their local visibility, attract more local customers, and gain a competitive advantage in their target market.
But what if you decided to go beyond your local target audience and strive to reach more international customers in other countries?
In this case, it is imperative that you optimize your websites for these countries. If your website content is published in your local language, you will need to have a strategy for the new country you are targeting.
However, let’s admit that translating content, meta titles, meta tags, and descriptions is not enough. You need to consider other cultural factors that impact your content, such as colors, images, etc. For example, if your website is based in the US and you would like to get traffic from Japan, you need to optimize your website and content for the Japanese market if you really want to penetrate this new market.
Furthermore, localizing content is not enough, as a localized SEO strategy must be considered for each target country.
According to Internet World Statistics , 58.8% of the world’s population is currently browsing the internet, while according to the latest Digital 2019 report , internet users spend at least 6 hours and 42 minutes online and half of that time is spent on mobile devices. So, with such a competitive market, you need to understand why SEO is truly an important tool for your business.
What is local SEO?
Local SEO, or local search engine optimization, refers to the process of benin phone number data optimizing a website or online presence to increase its visibility in local search results. It focuses on improving a business’s online visibility for location-specific searches, where users are looking for products, services, or information in their immediate geographic area.
Local SEO is crucial for businesses that have a physical location and serve customers in specific regions or cities. It helps them reach potential customers nearby and increase their chances of appearing in local search results, such as Google Maps or the local pack (the list of businesses displayed in response to a local search query).
The main goal of local SEO is to ensure that a business’s online presence is optimized for local searches, making it easier for local customers to find and interact with them. Some key elements of local SEO include:
Google My Business (GMB) Listing: Creating and optimizing a GMB profile, which includes accurate business information such as name, address, phone number (NAP), business hours, and customer reviews.
Local Citations: Ensuring consistent and accurate NAP information across multiple online directories, review sites, and other platforms.
On-page optimization: Optimizing website content, meta tags, and headings to include keywords and location-specific information.
Local Content: Creating and promoting relevant and informative content that targets local customers and meets their needs and interests.
Online reviews: Encouraging customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or industry-specific review sites. Positive reviews can improve visibility and reputation.
Local Link Building: Obtaining high-quality backlinks from local websites or organizations to increase local search rankings.
Local schema markup: Adding structured data markup to your website code to provide search engines with more specific information about your business, such as location, business type, and hours of operation.
Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly and optimized for local searches performed on mobile devices.
By implementing these strategies, businesses can improve their local visibility, attract more local customers, and gain a competitive advantage in their target market.