International SEO
Why you should consider an international SEO strategy
We live in a connected world, and everything is becoming more accessible on a global scale. If you currently serve an international audience (or hope to do so in the future), then having an International SEO strategy can help you better serve site visitors and result in you winning more business.
If you’re ready to be discovered by a global audience, we can help.
What is International SEO
SEO (short for Search Engine Optimisation) means having your site appear at the top of the search engines for keywords relevant to your business. When you add International to the term, it also includes ensuring that the search engines know which countries you want to attract visitors from and which language your website should use for these visitors.
International SEO has a two-pronged approach:
Multilingual: Using newly developed technology, we can create alternate versions of your page in the languages that suit your audience.
Geotargeting: We also add geotargeting to your site so that it will detect where a user is coming from and display relevant information based on their country.
Do I still need International SEO if I only serve people in Australia?
It depends. Something to keep in mind is that only 20% of the world speaks English. And in Australia, nearly 21% of residents speak a language other than English in their home.
By only having an English version of your website, you are assuming that all of your visitors will understand it. If you serve a community with other ethnic groups, you can distinguish your business by creating site pages in their languages. This strategy demonstrates that you understand your audience, and that you are sympathetic to their needs.
You might be more global than you think.
If you’re a small or local business, you might think that you only serve an Australian audience, but have you checked your site’s analytics? You might be surprised by what you find out. People from other countries planning to visit or move to Australia might be looking for a business in your niche.
Or, you might provide a service or product that has international appeal, even though you primarily work with Australians.
Until you look at your data, you won’t know for sure. You could be an international business without realising it!
Benefits of employing an International SEO Strategy
International SEO is more than just creating some pages in other languages. It has far-reaching implications and long-term positive benefits for your business:
- Decrease bounce rates. Visitors will immediately know they are in the right place.
- Increase conversion rates by showing visitors information that’s relevant to them.
- Grow your business faster by reaching a larger audience.
- Gain an Edge over the competition by catering to your audience’s needs.
- Claim a higher spot in the search engines by providing a positive experience for your international visitors.
