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How to add multilingual SEO to website?

Nowadays, nearly everyone running a commercial website can succeed running a product store or a service provider on the Internet. It became possible thanks to the high power of the Web, allowing possibly any online entrepreneur to be engaging the millions of potential customers all over the world. And addressing the multilingual audiences across the borders will naturally need you to add multilingual SEO to website (otherwise international SEO).

add seo to website

That way, running a proper Search Engine Optimization on the multilingual (international) level can quickly become even more efficient than a precisely targeted local SEO. Not to say that when you add international SEO to website, you are merely opening the door to the innumerable myriads of different opportunities for your online project (particularly if compared with the conventional brick-and-mortar commercial doings). Taking it for granted - the necessity to add SEO to website allowing it to stand out and be addressed to the global audience has recently become a MUST for possibly any online business owner, willing and ready for a really tremendous success.

Before you start

First of all, before you can take a well-formed decision to add SEO to website on the international level, you will need to establish yourself as a leader dominating a certain market niche. Once your new business completes this primary goal in one language, the next stuff to do is going out addressing to some precisely targeted audiences in some other countries. Apparently, that process starts with translating your web pages into a second and third language, while keeping in mind a dire need to add SEO to website on each subsequent multilingual level. So, let’s finally consider the matter step by step.

One thing at a time

Very often the companies are rushing out to launch their websites in multiple languages from the very beginning. Considering you’ve got a really large budget for the startup period, the idea may seem sound. But here comes a caution. Imagine, we have successfully launched a web store that is displayed on the top of the search engine result pages (the SERPs), for example in English. And is there any guarantee that our foreign versions, for instance, translated into Spanish or German, to perform as well? I think not. So, when should we start this multilingual expansion? I believe that the best time is once you have already launched and managed to maintain a successful website in English:

  • Have a business website model that works well in English
  • Put the right focus on a reasonable CMS and website structure
  • Be smart to launch only one new language at a time (doing so, you’ll have enough time to add SEO to website in that language, and hence get an exceptional ranking in the SERPs before entering the next multilingual level)
  • Handle a proper keyword research for each target language you are planning to add (that way, pick only relevant keywords having a high search traffic, but still weak organic competition)
  • Each newly translated version of your website must include at least a couple of your blog pages, or any other shareable content (do it as soon as possible, while promoting your web pages through a multilingual link building campaign)

add seo

Double-check control over everything

Going multilingual, you should consider taking a single multi-language friendly Content Management System (CMS). No need to handle several different databases at a time, as I recommend keeping the same CMS to translate your written content over and over again. There are many modern Content Management Systems allowing you to create numerous websites in different languages sharing a single database. Among the others, I suggest using one the following: Joomla, Magento, WordPress, or Drupal. That way, you can have some good advantages, as follows:

  • reduced hosting space, with much cheaper hosting expenses (remember, Google makes no difference for your host location, as the search engine uses another signs to indicate your actual target audience)
  • efficient stock control over different versions or multiple websites
  • wholesale update for all your websites at the same time, should you handle a redesign or development for a single one

I recommend considering the following possible options to build up your website structure:

  • Top-level and country coded domains (for example .de for Germany)
  • Each global-level domain should have sub-domains
  • Sub-folders coming for every global-level domain
  • Consider URL parameters
  • Control the language with cookies

As for me, choosing country-coded domains to add SEO to website has several advantages. Having a country geotargeting is great for branding, as every user will be told at once, that your international business is serious enough to be focusing on each particular state individually. After all, a domain name rich with keywords can be easily translated for each country to make online promotion for your core product or service even more focused (note, this option will not do, if you are dealing with some multiple ranges, which are already focused on a single keyword or a key phrase).

seo website

The rest of global optimization stuff I used to add SEO to website of my own.

Having a single CMS database is great. But it’s still worth checking if the overall configuration is fully correct. That way, you can use hreflang tags telling Google exactly what language (not country)  it’s each web page is actually written in.

Considering some translation peculiarities, particularly regarding flawless grammar appreciated by Google, you should use only the most correct writing grammar for every section of your website. But delving deeper I noticed that grammar rules might sometimes be neglected, purely in favor of technical optimization. I mean that many websites with high ranking are often using many poor grammar keywords or phrases, which still prove to be very relevant and fitting. So, I recommend following strict grammar rules for your full paragraphs of text, and everywhere else. Just remember that for your Metadata, URLs, and Anchor text you are free to put a particular emphasis on the searchable key phrases solely, rather their grammar.

In conclusion, I would like to highlight it once again - using a standard translation usually skipping a lot of critical elements is the worst way to add SEO to website. To achieve an excellent international optimization for bilingual search, I recommend to have only accurate website translation, which incorporates a thorough link building and an in-depth keyword research. And never rush out trying to cover several languages at once, as a purely successful international business online needs doing everything persistently, one thing after another.

Ryan Johnson
Thank you all for reading my article on adding SEO to multilingual websites. I hope you found it helpful!
Peter Brown
Great article, Ryan! I've been struggling with optimizing my multilingual website for SEO. Your post provided some valuable insights.
Emily Davis
I agree, Peter. Ryan, your explanations were clear and easy to understand. Can you provide some specific tips for optimizing non-English websites?
Laura Wilson
Ryan, I found your article really helpful. Can you elaborate on the importance of hreflang tags in multilingual SEO?
Ryan Johnson
Thanks, Laura! Hreflang tags are essential for signaling search engines about the language and geographic targeting of your web pages. Implementing them correctly helps search engines deliver the right language version to users searching in different languages.
Michael Thompson
Ryan, I have a question regarding duplicate content and multilingual websites. How can we avoid penalization in search rankings?
Ryan Johnson
That's a good question, Michael. To avoid duplicate content penalties, it's important to implement hreflang tags correctly, use the rel=canonical tag, and ensure unique content for each language version. Having a solid content management system can simplify this process.
David Wilson
Ryan, do you have any recommendations for finding the right translation services for multilingual websites?
Ryan Johnson
Absolutely, David! When choosing translation services, consider their expertise in your industry and target languages, their quality control measures, and whether they understand SEO requirements. Recommendations and reviews from others can also be helpful.
Sophia Martinez
Great article, Ryan! Do you have any tips for optimizing images in multilingual websites?
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Sophia! For image optimization in multilingual websites, use descriptive file names and alt tags in the target language. Also, remember to provide localized captions or image text in the relevant languages.
Elizabeth Adams
Hi Ryan, really useful article! Can you recommend any tools for tracking multilingual SEO performance?
Ryan Johnson
Thanks, Elizabeth! There are several tools available for tracking multilingual SEO performance, such as Google Analytics with language segmentation, SEMrush, and Moz. These tools can help you analyze the effectiveness of your SEO efforts across different language versions.
John Smith
Ryan, your article was a life-saver! Can you share your thoughts on the impact of language-specific domains versus subdomains or subdirectories?
Ryan Johnson
I'm glad you found it helpful, John! Language-specific domains, subdomains, and subdirectories can all be viable options for multilingual websites. The choice depends on your specific requirements, target audience, and resources available. Each approach has its pros and cons, so consider factors like SEO implications, maintenance, and cost-effectiveness.
Mark Allen
Ryan, what should we consider when deciding whether to use machine translation or professional human translation for multilingual content?
Ryan Johnson
Great question, Mark! Machine translation can be a quick solution for basic translations, but it may lack accuracy and natural language fluency. Professional human translation ensures higher quality and cultural relevance, especially for complex content or sensitive industries like legal or medical.
Anna Taylor
Ryan, thank you for sharing your expertise! Your article cleared many doubts I had regarding multilingual SEO. Keep up the great work!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you all for your kind comments and questions! I'm glad I could provide useful information on multilingual SEO. If there are any more questions, feel free to ask. Happy optimizing!
Amy Johnson
Great article! I didn't realize the importance of adding SEO to multilingual websites.
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Amy! I'm glad you found the article helpful. SEO is vital for multilingual websites to reach a wider audience.
David Thompson
I have a question. Are there any specific SEO techniques for optimizing multilingual websites, or is it similar to regular SEO practices?
Ryan Johnson
Good question, David! While many SEO techniques apply to both regular and multilingual websites, there are some unique considerations. For example, hreflang tags help search engines understand the language and regional targeting of your content.
Sarah Roberts
Can you recommend any plugins or tools that make it easier to manage SEO for multilingual websites?
Ryan Johnson
Certainly, Sarah! There are several plugins available for popular CMS platforms like WordPress and Joomla. One popular option is the Yoast SEO plugin, which offers multilingual support and helps optimize your content for search engines.
Michael Anderson
I'm running a small e-commerce website with multiple language versions. How can I ensure that each language version is properly indexed by search engines?
Ryan Johnson
Hi Michael! To ensure proper indexing, you should create separate URLs for each language version, implement hreflang annotations, and use language-specific sitemaps. This helps search engines understand and index each version correctly.
Emily Parker
In terms of content, should I translate all my website's content or only specific pages?
Ryan Johnson
Great question, Emily! It depends on your target audience and goals. It's recommended to translate important pages like product descriptions, landing pages, and key informational content. However, you can also consider translating high-performing blog posts to attract more organic traffic.
Sophia Lee
Does having a multilingual website impact website load speed?
Ryan Johnson
Hi Sophia! Having a multilingual website might have some impact on load speed, mainly due to the increased number of language-specific resources. However, proper caching, optimization, and a good hosting provider can mitigate any noticeable impact.
Brian Wilson
Are there any common mistakes to avoid when optimizing SEO for multilingual websites?
Ryan Johnson
Absolutely, Brian! Some common mistakes include using machine translation without human review, neglecting hreflang tags, and not validating localized versions for proper indexing. It's crucial to prioritize quality translations and technical optimization for effective multilingual SEO.
Jennifer Thompson
Is it advisable to use automatic redirection based on user location, or should users manually select their preferred language?
Ryan Johnson
Hi Jennifer! It depends on your specific website and audience. Automatic redirection based on user location can enhance user experience, but it's essential to provide a clear option for users to manually select their preferred language. This gives them control and avoids any potential frustrations.
Amy Johnson
Ryan, thanks for the informative responses! I have a better understanding of SEO for multilingual websites now.
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Amy! I'm glad I could help. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask anytime.
David Thompson
Thank you, Ryan! Your explanations are clear and concise. I appreciate it.
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, David! I'm happy to assist. Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know.
Sophia Lee
Ryan, your blog posts always offer valuable insights. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Sophia! I appreciate your kind words. It's my pleasure to share knowledge and help others.
Michael Anderson
Ryan, your suggestions have given me a clear direction for optimizing my e-commerce website. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Michael! I'm glad I could provide guidance. Best of luck with optimizing your e-commerce website!
Emily Parker
Ryan, your answers were comprehensive and helpful. I appreciate your expertise and time.
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Emily! I'm delighted to hear that my answers were useful to you. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out.
Brian Wilson
Ryan, thank you for highlighting the common mistakes to avoid. Your insights are invaluable!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Brian! I'm glad I could bring attention to those common mistakes. If you need any further assistance, feel free to ask.
Jennifer Thompson
Ryan, your explanation regarding automatic redirection vs. manual selection was insightful. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Jennifer! I'm pleased to hear that my explanation was helpful. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Amy Johnson
Ryan, your expertise shines through your responses. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Amy! I really appreciate your kind words. I'm always here to help and provide valuable insights.
David Thompson
Ryan, your detailed explanations regarding SEO techniques for multilingual websites are excellent. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, David! I'm glad you found my explanations helpful. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask at any time.
Sophia Lee
Ryan, your recommendations for managing SEO with plugins and tools are great. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Sophia! I'm happy to hear that my recommendations were useful to you. If there's anything else you'd like to know, feel free to ask.
Michael Anderson
Ryan, your explanation regarding proper indexing for multilingual websites was exactly what I needed. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Michael! I'm pleased to hear that my explanation addressed your needs. Best of luck with optimizing your multilingual website's indexing!
Emily Parker
Ryan, your insights regarding content translation on multilingual websites are valuable. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Emily! I'm glad you found my insights valuable. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to ask.
Brian Wilson
Ryan, your explanation regarding the impact of multilingual websites on load speed was informative. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Brian! I'm delighted that my explanation provided you with useful information. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out.
Jennifer Thompson
Ryan, your knowledge of multilingual SEO is impressive. Thank you for answering my question!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Jennifer! I appreciate your kind words. It's my pleasure to share knowledge and help others understand multilingual SEO better.
Amy Johnson
Thank you again, Ryan! Your expertise is evident, and I'm grateful for the information.
Ryan Johnson
You're very welcome, Amy! I'm thrilled that you found my expertise evident and the information valuable. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions in the future.
David Thompson
Ryan, thank you for taking the time to explain SEO techniques for multilingual websites. I appreciate it!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, David! I'm glad I could take the time to explain the techniques to you. If there's anything else you'd like to know, feel free to ask.
Sophia Lee
Ryan, thank you once again for sharing your expertise. Your posts are always insightful!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Sophia! I appreciate your ongoing support and am delighted to hear that my posts are insightful to you. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.
Michael Anderson
Ryan, your suggestions for ensuring proper indexing of multilingual websites are invaluable. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Michael! I'm thrilled to hear that my suggestions were invaluable to you. If you have any more questions or need further guidance, don't hesitate to ask.
Emily Parker
Ryan, thank you for your comprehensive answers. Your expertise is highly appreciated!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Emily! I'm glad I could provide comprehensive answers and that my expertise is highly appreciated. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out anytime.
Brian Wilson
Ryan, your insights regarding common mistakes to avoid with multilingual SEO are invaluable. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Brian! I'm thrilled that you found my insights invaluable. If you need any more help or have further questions, feel free to ask.
Jennifer Thompson
Ryan, your explanation regarding automatic redirection vs. manual selection was spot-on. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Jennifer! I'm delighted to hear that my explanation regarding automatic redirection vs. manual selection was spot-on for you. If there's anything else you'd like to know, feel free to ask.
Amy Johnson
I can't thank you enough, Ryan! Your knowledge is truly impressive, and I'm grateful for your help.
Ryan Johnson
You're very welcome, Amy! I'm humbled by your kind words and glad that you find my knowledge impressive. I'm always here to help, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions or need further assistance.
David Thompson
Ryan, thank you for your detailed explanations. It has been a pleasure learning from you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, David! I'm thrilled that you found my detailed explanations helpful. It has been a pleasure to share knowledge with you. If you have any more questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask.
Sophia Lee
Ryan, your expertise is evident in your responses. Thank you for sharing your insights with us!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Sophia! I'm grateful for your comment about my evident expertise and appreciate that you find my insights valuable. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask anytime.
Michael Anderson
Ryan, your suggestions for optimizing multilingual websites are excellent. Thank you for your guidance!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Michael! I'm thrilled to hear that you found my suggestions excellent for optimizing multilingual websites. If you need any more help or have further questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Emily Parker
Thank you, Ryan, for sharing your expertise. Your answers have been truly valuable!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Emily! I'm glad that you found my expertise valuable and that my answers have been helpful to you. If there's anything else you'd like to know or need further assistance, feel free to reach out anytime.
Brian Wilson
Ryan, your insights regarding mistakes to avoid with multilingual SEO are appreciated. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Brian! I appreciate that you found my insights regarding mistakes to avoid with multilingual SEO helpful. If you have any more questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask.
Jennifer Thompson
Ryan, thank you once again for sharing your knowledge on multilingual SEO. Your explanations are clear and concise!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Jennifer! I'm pleased to hear that you appreciate my knowledge on multilingual SEO and find my explanations clear and concise. If there's anything else you'd like to know or need further assistance, don't hesitate to ask.
Amy Johnson
Ryan, your expertise is evident in your responses. Thank you for your invaluable assistance!
Ryan Johnson
You're very welcome, Amy! I appreciate your kind words about my evident expertise and I'm glad I could provide you with invaluable assistance. If there's anything else you'd like to know or need further guidance, feel free to ask.
David Thompson
Ryan, thank you for your patience in explaining SEO techniques for multilingual websites. I truly appreciate it!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, David! I'm glad I could patiently explain the SEO techniques for multilingual websites to you. I appreciate your comment and if you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.
Sophia Lee
Ryan, your posts are always informative and insightful. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Sophia! I appreciate your ongoing support and I'm pleased to hear that you find my posts informative and insightful. If there's anything else you'd like to know or need further assistance, feel free to ask anytime.
Michael Anderson
Ryan, thank you for your guidance in optimizing multilingual website indexing. I'm very grateful!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Michael! I'm thrilled to hear that you're grateful for my guidance in optimizing multilingual website indexing. If you need any more help or have further questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Emily Parker
Ryan, your expertise shines through your responses. I'm grateful for your time and knowledge!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Emily! I'm humbled by your comment about my expertise shining through my responses. I'm always here to share my knowledge and assist you. If there's anything else you'd like to know or need further assistance, feel free to ask.
Brian Wilson
Ryan, thank you for sharing your insights on multilingual SEO. Your explanations have been superb!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Brian! I appreciate that you found my insights on multilingual SEO superb. If you have any more questions or need further guidance, don't hesitate to ask.
Jennifer Thompson
Ryan, your dedication to sharing expertise shines through your explanations. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Jennifer! I'm humbled by your recognition of my dedication to sharing expertise. I'm grateful to be able to provide valuable explanations. If there's anything else you'd like to know or need further assistance, feel free to ask anytime.
Amy Johnson
Ryan, thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously. I'm amazed by your expertise!
Ryan Johnson
You're very welcome, Amy! I appreciate your comment about me sharing my knowledge generously. I'm thrilled that you find my expertise amazing. If there's anything else you'd like to know or need further guidance, feel free to ask.
David Thompson
Ryan, your detailed explanations regarding SEO techniques for multilingual websites are excellent. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, David! I'm glad you found my detailed explanations of SEO techniques for multilingual websites excellent. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask anytime.
Sophia Lee
Ryan, your recommendations for managing SEO with plugins and tools are excellent. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Sophia! I'm thrilled to hear that you found my recommendations for managing SEO with plugins and tools excellent. If there's anything else you'd like to know or need further assistance, feel free to reach out anytime.
Michael Anderson
Ryan, thank you for your explanation regarding proper indexing for multilingual websites. I'm grateful!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Michael! I'm grateful that you found my explanation regarding proper indexing for multilingual websites helpful. If you have any more questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask.
Emily Parker
Ryan, thank you for providing comprehensive answers. I'm grateful for your expertise!
Ryan Johnson
Thank you, Emily! I'm delighted that you found my answers comprehensive and that you feel grateful for my expertise. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask anytime.
Brian Wilson
Ryan, your insights regarding common mistakes to avoid with multilingual SEO are highly appreciated. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Brian! I'm glad that you appreciate my insights regarding common mistakes to avoid with multilingual SEO. If you need any more help or have further questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Jennifer Thompson
Ryan, your explanations regarding automatic redirection vs. manual selection were insightful. Thank you!
Ryan Johnson
You're welcome, Jennifer! I'm pleased to hear that my explanations regarding automatic redirection vs. manual selection were insightful to you. If there's anything else you'd like to know or need further assistance, feel free to ask.

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