If you want to bring your company or online store into the international spotlight, properly localizing your SEO strategy is the most important step toward internationalization. But what exactly does that mean? It's not just about translating your content into another language. Rather, you need to adapt your entire website to the cultural, linguistic, and technical requirements of each target market.
In this blog post, we go beyond the translation and localization of your mint data content and show you the basic steps on how to make your website technically fit for the international market in order to be successful with your SEO internationally !
Table of contents:
Why you should also consider technical SEO when internationalizing!
The technical implementation of localization for international SEO
Choose the right top-level domain (TLD)
Implement hreflang tags correctly
Optimize the technical structure of your website
Build a local backlink profile
Conclusion: Your business goes global!
FAQ: Technical SEO Localization
Hand drawn texture globe with social media diagram on laptop computer as internet concept
Why you should also consider technical SEO when internationalizing!
While content localization is an essential component for your website's international success, it alone isn't enough to achieve the best possible search engine results. The technical aspects of your SEO strategy are equally crucial, as they form the foundation upon which localization is built:
Fast loading times anytime, anywhere: No matter how well your content is localized, if your website loads slowly in certain parts of the world, potential customers will abandon your site. Technical SEO involves optimizing your website for fast loading times worldwide, for example, by using content delivery networks (CDNs) that store content geographically closer to your visitors.
Mobile-first optimization: In many countries, especially in developing regions, mobile internet access is widespread. Technical SEO ensures your website displays optimally on all devices, from desktops to smartphones. This is crucial to ensuring a high level of user experience and minimizing bounce rates.
Structure and indexability of your website: A logically structured and easily indexed website helps search engines effectively index and correctly categorize your pages. This includes implementing a clear URL structure, using sitemaps, and correctly applying hreflang tags to avoid duplicate content and present the correct language versions to users.
Local backlinks and social signals: Equally important is building a local backlink profile and generating social signals in the target country that are relevant to specific markets. Search engines use this information to assess the authority and relevance of your website, which directly influences your rankings.
Security and data protection precautions: Finally, technical SEO also addresses the security of your website. This is especially important if you operate in markets with strict data protection laws—such as the GDPR in Germany and other EU countries. Implementing HTTPS is a crucial factor that not only ensures the security of your users but is also considered a ranking factor by search engines.