Performing International SEO is an important part of helping businesses grow globally. Because when our website appears on the first page of search engine results pages (SERPs), there is a greater opportunity to expand the customer base. When it comes to details like Multinational SEO and Multilingual SEO, many people often misunderstand them as being the same thing, but in reality, they have significant differences.
In this article, let’s understand what Multinational SEO and Multilingual SEO are, how much they differ, so that we can develop more effective global SEO strategies.
What is International SEO?
International SEO is the practice of optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for keywords related in different languages. This is suitable for businesses that do online marketing or websites to gain a competitive advantage in business and target foreign customers, both creating brand awareness and conversion for the brand. Every business can do International SEO, whether it’s an E-Commerce business, tourism, hotel, education, or even a SaaS business that wants to expand its customer base to markets in various countries.
This International SEO can be divided into two main types: Multinational SEO and Multilingual SEO, which many people see as the same thing. However, performing both SEO formats has different strengths.
Which businesses are suitable for International SEO?
First of all, let me tell you that every type of business can start doing International SEO. However, when it comes to results and returns, International SEO is suitable for businesses that want to expand their customer base to foreign countries, especially E-Commerce businesses that want to increase online sales through Google, Yahoo, Bing, Yandex, or other search engines. Service businesses such as hotels, tourism, and education, as well as emerging businesses like SaaS (Software as a Service) are also good candidates.
Benefits of Performing International SEO
Multinational SEO vs. Multilingual SEO: What’s the difference?
The term Multinational means having multiple nationalities, while Multilingual means having multiple languages. Many people therefore understand that it is about optimizing a website to have multiple languages to serve customers from various countries. However, when it comes to SEO, Multinational and Multilingual will have differences as follows:
Multinational SEO
Multinational SEO focuses on SEO for websites that want to target multiple countries and drive traffic from each country to the website. It may use the same language or multiple languages depending on the target country. For example, a marketing company website that wants to target the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland may use only English on the website.
An important consideration when performing Multinational SEO is:
- If a business has multiple websites in the same language, it must specify to the search engine which website will appear on the search results page for which country.
- If there are multiple websites in the same language but no country is specified, the search engine may view them as duplicate content, causing one of the websites not to be indexed.
- In addition, the domain and URL structure must also be managed appropriately for each country.
Multilingual SEO
Multilingual SEO is focusing on optimizing a single website in multiple languages for markets in multiple countries. For example, an E-Commerce website that has both English and French to target the United States and Canada, along with Chinese to reach customers in China.
There are also important considerations when performing Multilingual SEO:
- Translation and content adaptation should be appropriate for the culture and needs of users in each language, which may require professional translators or native speakers of that country.
- There may be challenges in maintaining keyword rankings and appropriate content structure for SEO in each language.
- Should manage URL structure and use Hreflang Tags correctly.
Additional Techniques for International SEO
In addition to the general SEO checklist, we should consider other factors to perform International SEO smoothly in both Multinational and Multilingual formats.
1. Using a CDN (Content Delivery Network)
Uploading content through a CDN will help your website load faster for users in foreign countries. In addition, improve the user experience (User Experiene) to suit the customer groups in each country, which will have a positive effect on ranking in the SERP.
2. Doing Keyword Research Separately by Market
We recommend trying to use SEO tools to find keywords that are appropriate for each market, considering search volume and competition in each country.
3. Building Backlinks from Local Sites
Find opportunities to build backlinks from reputable websites in each target country, especially for Multilingual SEO, which will help increase the credibility and ranking of the website in that market.
4. Use Social Media of That Country
Performing International SEO, whether Multinational or Multilingual, is very important for businesses that want to grow in overseas markets because…
- Helps expand the customer base, businesses or brands can reach new customers in overseas markets, creating opportunities to expand the brand and revenue.
- Creates global brand awareness – Successful International SEO can increase brand recognition in various countries, helping to elevate the brand to a global level and build credibility abroad.
- Increases business competitiveness – Of course, businesses that perform International SEO will have an advantage over businesses that focus solely on domestic markets, both in attracting potential customers and increasing competitiveness.
How to Get Started with International SEO?
1. Clearly Define Overseas Target Groups
The first step in successfully performing International SEO is defining overseas target groups, starting with analyzing competitors in that country, analyzing SEO strategies, both strengths and weaknesses. Then, consider the target group whether they are Potential Customers or have the potential to be customers or not. Does our service/product meet this target group?
Next, study the usage behavior of Google or Search Engines in that country, what trends are there, which keywords have high or low volume. Then, select the keywords to use in International SEO to the target market, which can use SEO tools like Ahrefs, MOZ, Ubersuggest, or Screaming Frog.
2. Keyword Mapping for Content Creation on the Website
Next is Keyword Mapping or the process of defining and classifying keyword groups for content creation on the website to make International SEO results better. Starting with finding keywords related to products/services in the target market, analyzing search volume, and difficulty/ease of ranking. Then, select the desired keywords and group them according to type, difficulty, and relevance to the business.
3. Start Writing Content According to Strategy and Do Content Outreach
The next step is to start writing content according to the planned strategy, whether it is Website Content that incorporates selected keywords, as well as writing articles according to the E-E-A-T Factor principles, which are beneficial to readers. And importantly, design the content to be appropriate for the language and culture of the country in question.
Once you have content at hand, the next step is to do Content Outreach to publicize it to the target group, such as doing Guest Posts or building backlinks on relevant websites.
When International SEO is done completely, don’t forget to measure the results, possibly classified by country through tools like Google Analytics or Google Search Console to measure important metrics for originating country visitors, keywords used for searching, and others, which will help in improving the planning of International SEO for each country effectively.
Conclusion
Performing International SEO may seem quite challenging, both in terms of technical management and content planning. But if you plan your strategy properly and understand the differences between Multinational SEO and Multilingual SEO, you can create good results, get on the first page of search engine results, and lead your business to the global market confidently, increasing opportunities for business growth significantly.
International SEO is considered one of the important strategies for guiding businesses to new markets, reaching new users and customers, increasing sales, and creating more brand awareness. Therefore, performing International SEO may be quite complex and requires careful attention to detail. So, we recommend that businesses or brands try using International SEO services from a Digital Marketing Agency, experts who will help businesses grow even better.
About Relevant Audience
We are Relevant Audience, a Digital Performance Marketing Agency specializing in SEO and one of the Digital Agency providing comprehensive digital marketing services to support businesses in reaching target audiences at the right time, place, and device (Right Time, Right Place, Right Device).
Our services cover everything from SEO services, Search Marketing, Social Media Ads, Search Ads to Influencer Marketing, and we are also a SEO Company that is Google Partners. Our team consists of specialists ready to provide advice and find solutions that meet business needs.
Contact for More Information, Consult Online Marketing
Tel: 02-038-5055
Email: info@relevantaudience.com
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