Are you thinking about traveling internationally but aren't sure if it is worth the risk?
You've seen your business grow steadily and you have decided that it's now time to expand internationally.
Problem is that you are worried about whether your budget will be sufficient to cover a global marketing budget.
Imagine if I said that any business could have a global presence.
It all comes down to your strategy.
There are many opportunities in the global economy. You'll need to be prepared before you venture into such a large market.
This is how you should think about it…
There are more people waiting to see you than you do competitors.
It is important to assess your SEO potential in your target areas and determine how you can build your international SEO strategy.
Let's get you on the path to global growth.
Do You Need International SEO for Your Business?
Millions of people search for solutions that your business or product can provide. This number can grow if you target an international audience.
However, not all businesses need to go international. Some companies specialize in certain areas and still enjoy great success. Erewhon, a luxury supermarket in California with only Los Angeles locations, is an example. Forbes discovered them after they made $2,500 per square foot. This was four times the average grocery store's annual sales in 2019. They were even in high demand during the pandemic. This was due to increased interest in organic vitamins to combat COVID.
In some cases, however, international expansion can take businesses to new heights. Companies such as Whole Foods and Spanx have made international strides. They are household names today, but they started as small businesses.
International SEO can be a great strategy for expanding your business if you have higher ambitions. This helps your products and services, as well as content, appear in global search results. However, this is not as easy as using Google Translate.
It is important to tailor each piece of content to your audience. This includes keyword research, topics that you are most interested in, and your content style. An international SEO strategy can help you reach new markets and increase your revenue.
What is the difference between an international SEO strategy and a domestic SEO strategy?
Your international SEO strategy should be built on the same principles as domestic. You must follow a set of best practices. But, the best practices you use can vary.
Your international SEO strategy will have some key differences from your domestic SEO strategy.
- Language variations
- Requirements for local audiences
- Competitors in the local area
- Popularity and variety of search engines
- Need to change website variations
img alt="A keyword overview for Ubersuggest for meal delivery. class="wp-image-164745" height="413" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy1-700×413.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy1-700×413.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy1-350×207.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy1-768×453.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy1.jpg 1101w" width="700"/>
Class="wp-image-164746" height="415" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy3-355×208.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategiestrategy3-768×455.jpg 768×455.jpg 768×455.jpg 1101w class="wp-image-164746" height="415" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy3-700×415.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy3-700×415.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy3-350×208.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy3-768×455.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy3.jpg 1101w" width="700"/>
International traffic is readily available, but you cannot treat audiences from two countries as the same even if they speak the same language.
Search engines such as Google and others use location to direct users to the best page for their query. SEO's key component is making sure that user search intent matches. To help you attract this new audience, you will need to determine what changes to make to your international SEO strategy.
How To Build An International SEO Strategy
You're now ready to build an audience. Now you need a strategy.
1. Lock in your target regions or countries
After you have chosen your target audience, narrow down your market segments. Let's say that you are looking to expand your business into Canada. This is what I did with my agency. It is important to understand the market and what they need. You should consider expanding if a country appears to be a potential market for growth.
It will help you to see who is looking for brands like yours and where they are located. You wouldn't want your surfboard optimization to be done in a country with no land borders. You can also dig deeper into the language. You might find subtle differences, such as tire in the U.S. and tyres in the U.K. in Google. These can have an impact on what your audience enters in Google.
2. Evaluate your needs on the international competitive market
You need to know your competition in order to be successful in this new area. Find out about the digital presence of your competition and how they appeals to that audience. You might find a different industry in your country, which could impact how you approach ranking certain keywords.
3. To conduct international keyword research, you can use an SEO tool
Ubersuggest can be used to analyze the area, and find out what your competitors rank for. Let's say that we want to optimize our website for Canada using the keyword "SEO" and the language "English".
img alt="A keyword overview by Ubersuggest for SEO. class="wp-image-164747" height="416" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy2-700×416.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy2-700×416.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy2-350×208.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy2-768×456.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy2-1536×913.jpg 1536w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy2.jpg 1999w" width="700"/>
As you can see, the keyword has a high search volume and is relatively easy to rank for. It shouldn't take too much to get into Canada with SEO as a keyword. This is because it will be our key focus.
You can identify data points about who is searching for these keywords to help you get ahead or behind your competitors. It's possible to even identify keywords and content ideas that are being used by competitors so you can optimize accordingly.
4. Localize to help you place your global brand
Localization will go far beyond just translating. International SEO strategies must be flexible. Your content must be placed in the right context to give your audience answers.
Localizing is key to keeping prospects happy and satisfied throughout their buying journey. It will not be easy to localize multiple sites. With proper planning, seamless integration is possible.
5. Optimize content and technical aspects
Your content and technical elements must be optimized for international markets. Your localized page versions must be specific to your region and language.
To tell Google which variation you are using, you will need to use the hreflang tag. This will ensure that the algorithm doesn't flag your site as duplicate content. Also, ensure that all assets are aligned with local expectations so that your content doesn't get misinterpreted. You can then capitalize on the data you receive through reporting.
International SEO Ranking Criteria
Even though you may have a flawless strategy, external factors can still impact your international SEO ranking.
I will make sure that you are prepared.
These variables will help you keep your strategy solid.
Audience Response
Feedback can be in the form of a comment from a follower or a review by a customer. Your audience should speak out about your brand. Address the negatives and learn from them. It's also helpful to receive positive feedback. These two pipelines demonstrate how you can better connect with your audience. You can increase your reach by using direct information from customers and continue to target your audience with keywords.
Link Building
Link building is something I believe in. The more links I have that lead people to my site, I am able to help them develop their business strategy. Local support from blogs and influencers in the region will help you build credibility even if your business is international.
Mobile-Friendly Design
It is important to have a mobile website that loads quickly and is easy-to-read. This will improve your search rankings as well as show that you are able to provide the best user experience on an international scale.
International SEO Best Practices
Your strategy is key to international SEO success. You can reach more people if you are able to predict their needs.
These five best practices will help you get things started.
1. Research the market and audience you are interested in.
Multi-stage optimization will be more common. To be able to create an international SEO strategy, it is important to get to know your market and audience well. You and your team will be able to plan the most appropriate content for your audience as you become more familiar with them.
2. Your international SEO strategy should be planned and implemented
Your business and target audience will influence this step. Consider the market for your products and services. Every country or region will have different needs so it is important to know where you fit in. You can use keyword research to get an idea of the market's temperature.
3. Translate content for localization
You need to ensure that your URLs and domains are structured correctly in order to reach your target audience. Subdomains also matter. This is a critical step so make sure you do it correctly the first time. This is also the starting point for your link-building strategy in each country. The hreflang attribute will be used to create content. It should reflect the intended recipient area. This will help you avoid being flagged as duplicate content and reduce the strength of your strategy.
4. Analyzing the rankings of your competitors
You may find them to be future competitors, but it's important to assess how they are performing. You can get a sense of their position with paid ads and content, as well as SEO. International SEO is a must-have if you are looking to dominate this market. You'll likely find hidden opportunities that your competitors overlook.
5. Local audiences should be served with content
You should create content that is relevant to the local audience. You may need to find someone who is local to review your content. These experts will make sure your message and appeal are clear. Your content should not feel out-of-touch or like a translation from your methods in another country. You can still engage even if you don’t speak the language.
Ubersuggest: International SEO Strategy
This transition can help you maximize your international SEO strategy.
Do you want to be successful in your target markets Ubersuggest can help you achieve your international goals.
Let's take a look at how Ubersuggest can assist with international keyword research.
This tool can make it easier to conduct research on what is trending and required in your target country.
To find out how keywords perform in reaching this country, you can either test them or create new keywords for that audience. You can use reporting to see how successful keywords are in this area before you ever create content.
img alt="Keyword Ideas from Ubersuggest for SEO" class="wp-image-164748" height="416" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy5-768×456.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.jpg 1536×913.jpg 1536×913.jpg 1536×913.jpg 713.jpg.jpg.jpg.jpg.jpg 1999w. class="wp-image-164748" height="416" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy5-700×416.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy5-700×416.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy5-350×208.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy5-768×456.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy5-1536×913.jpg 1536w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy5.jpg 1999w" width="700"/>
I would like to mention in particular how you can compare yourself against your competitors.
class="wp-image-164749" height="418" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy4-768×458.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_Strategy4-1536×917.jpg 1536×917.jpg 1536×917.jpg 1536×917.jpg.jpg.jpg class="wp-image-164749" height="418" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy4-700×418.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy4-700×418.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy4-350×209.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy4-768×458.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy4-1536×917.jpg 1536w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy4.jpg 1999w" width="700"/>
Here, I used Tim Hortons, a Canadian coffee chain, to compare domains that rank similarly for keywords that are also in line with their strategy.
class="wp-image-164750" height="414" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy7-768×454.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy7-1536×907.jpg 1536×907.jpg 907.jpg 1536×907.jpg.jpg 1999w, http://neilpatel.jpg class="wp-image-164750" height="414" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy7-700×414.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy7-700×414.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy7-350×207.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy7-768×454.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy7-1536×907.jpg 1536w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy7.jpg 1999w" width="700"/>
You can distinguish yourself from the rest by comparing how you rank against common keywords, traffic and backlinks. The goal is to create content that meets the needs of locals.
Your strategy must be relevant and reliable to this audience.
Your ability to attract traffic and build backlinks will be key factors in your success in this market.
Ubersuggest is a tool that allows you to find pages or sites with high traffic volumes.
The keywords however give clues to the reason.
To ensure that your pages are in line with local needs, Tim Hortons can be viewed as a competitor.
img alt="A keyword overview for Tim Hortons from Ubersuggest" class="wp-image-164751" height="416" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px") srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy6-350×208.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.jpg 1536×914.jpg 1536×914.jpg 1536×914.jpg class="wp-image-164751" height="416" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy6-700×416.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy6-700×416.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy6-350×208.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy6-768×457.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy6-1536×914.jpg 1536w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy6.jpg 1999w" width="700"/>
Based on this data, it is clear that locals look for coffee shops close by and are always looking for them.
Backlinks, in addition to keywords and traffic can also be measured.
You can view your domain authority in the backlinks overview. Your domain authority is a reference to pages that have high quality backlinks. The number of backlinks you have shows how popular your content is. Focusing on referring domains can help you gain many organic domains that mention you. As you can see, Tim Hortons has a lot referring domains. This means that a lot people are talking about them. Google considers this a sign that sites have confidence in their content.
"A backlink overview from Ubersuggest.com. class="wp-image-164752" height="413" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy9-700×413.jpg" srcset="https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy9-700×413.jpg 700w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy9-350×207.jpg 350w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy9-768×453.jpg 768w, https://neilpatel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/International_SEO_strategy9.jpg 1432w" width="700"/>
Your audience will grow if you are referenced.
You can be sure that those linking to your site share a common thread or a similar topic. You can then look at the pages of your competitors and determine which ones landed you a backlink. Then you can see if you rank locally for the same topic.
You can tailor your strategy to fit the market by doing research before you go. This information will allow you to make pivots before you invest and branch out into global markets.
Ubersuggest is a way to take your SEO marketing to the next level.
When it comes to setting up your business for success in a new marketplace, I have you covered.
Conclusion
It is time to make things global.
International SEO is crucial to make an international impact.
Why? As you expand your horizons, it will help you make great strides. You're increasing your chances of a positive investment by studying the latest SEO techniques and scouting competitive landscape.
How can you make sure your next big leap is a successful landing?
Each country and region has its own unique quirks and needs, which you will need to learn and master to rank in your searches.
It doesn't matter what topics you cover or how you describe various subjects, it's science that you will understand.
It all comes down to understanding and testing.
The numbers don't lie.
Now, you can start raking in the international revenue.
Which countries should you target first? Ubersuggest will show you where you are at the moment and what your competitors are doing.
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By: Neil Patel
Title: How to Use Ubersuggest for International SEO Strategy
Sourced From: neilpatel.com/blog/ubersuggest-international-seo/
Published Date: Thu, 01 Sep 2022 19:00:00 +0000