The 2024 international SEO guide

In this (long) guide, I’ll tell you all about how I, as an SEO expert, have developed the international SEO of clients. In doing so, it is important to take many variables into account. I have described each of these in this article. Use the table of contents to quickly navigate to the chapter where I cover the topic you have questions about. Enjoy reading!

What is international SEO?

International SEO is optimizing websites for searches in multiple languages and regions. The goal of international SEO is to make websites more visible to searches conducted by users in different countries and regions. In addition, with international SEO, you provide a personalized search experience for users from different parts of the world.

To optimize your websites for search engines in different countries and regions, apply a variety of techniques and methods. Below I have listed some of the most important aspects of international SEO for you:

Language support: it is important to support your website in different languages. That way you can reach users from different regions.

Location support: in addition, it is important for the success of your website to optimize it for searches by users from different regions. One way to do this is by using different top-level domains (TLDs) or subdomains.

Geographic adaptations: the content on your website should be adapted to different regions and countries. You do this, for example, by using different currencies, or by displaying specific products or services available in certain regions.

Hreflang tags: hreflang tags tell search engines which version of the website is intended for users from certain regions and with which language.(1)

International SEO is an important part of search engine optimization for companies that have ambitions to expand into new markets and regions. Want to develop and implement a successful international SEO strategy? Then it is important to consider all the associated aspects.

International SEO in a nutshell

No time for a long article? No problem. Watch my video on international SEO (in a nutshell) here.

The purpose of international SEO

With international SEO, you have a clear goal in mind. With this, you want to efficiently optimize your website for searches by users in different countries and languages. Therefore, as a website owner, adapt the content and structure of your website to cultural and language differences. Don’t overlook the differences between search engines in different regions, either.

By focusing on international SEO, you will go about improving the visibility of your website in search engines in different countries in a targeted way. Second, with international SEO, you put yourself in a position to generate targeted traffic to your website. In addition, international SEO adaptations (including adapting content to the cultural and language needs of the target audience) can contribute to an improved user experience on the website.

An effective international SEO strategy typically leads to an increase in search engine rankings, more targeted traffic and higher conversion rates. This gives companies an opportunity to explore new markets and expand their online presence.

Continue reading about international SEO?

Continue reading about international SEO? I have read several articles about it, you can find them below.

• International link building
• A Content Delivery Network for international websites
• SEO specialist for the Netherlands (cities overview page)
• How can you view Google search results abroad?

The pros and cons of an international SEO journey

Advantages	Cons
Larger market – An international SEO strategy allows companies to reach markets around the world.	Language barriers – The need to translate and localize content into different languages can be complex and time-consuming.
Competitive advantage – Companies that implement a successful international SEO strategy can gain a competitive advantage in markets that are not yet saturated.	Cultural differences – Different markets may have different cultural sensitivities, which means content must be carefully tailored.
Diversification – Entering new markets can help spread risk and not be dependent on a single market.	Confusion over URL structure – It can be difficult to determine the correct URL structure (ccTLD, subdomain, subfolder) for different countries and languages.
Growth – An international SEO strategy can contribute to the overall growth of the company, especially when the company offers its products or services in different countries.	Regulations – Different countries have different laws and regulations, including data protection, which can add complexity.
Brand recognition – By being present in different countries, the brand can become known worldwide.	Additional costs – Managing an international SEO strategy can involve additional costs, including translation services and managing multiple websites.

What do you need to consider with international SEO?

With international SEO, you need to consider several factors, which I have written down for you point by point below. After the listing, I’ll tell you a little more about the different parts.

1. Language: determine the language of your target market so you can make sure your website supports it.

2. Keywords: determine the relevant keywords for each target market and optimize your website for them.

3. Location: make sure your website indicates the country in which the company is located. This information should be present on every page.

4. Domain name: consider using country code top level domain names (ccTLDs). You do this to make the website specific to a particular country or region. When you scroll through this article to “constructions within international SEO strategy,” you can read more about the possibilities in this area.

5. Content localization: your website should provide specific content for each target market, and you should optimize this content locally.

6. International link building: gathering local links from reliable sources in each target market is essential.

7. Technical SEO optimization (such as hreflang tags): a technically optimized website for search engines, including correct implementation of hreflang tags, contributes to your international SEO.

8. The localization of the customer journey: different countries have different cultures. This affects the online customer journey.

9. Currency differences by country: currency differences (outside Europe) also impact your strategy.

10. Differences in payment systems: each country has its own payment systems. Especially in the international SEO strategy for an online store, it is important to take this into account.

11. Keep industry-related differences, such as international sizing systems that differ from Dutch ones, in mind.
12. Content automated translation: make choices about time and content quality.

Getting started with international SEO? Then be aware that this takes a lot of time and effort. Moreover, continuous monitoring and adjustments are required to maintain your results. International SEO is not something you set up once and then sit back. For constant maintenance of this part of the website, you can also hire an SEO consultant.

Below I will go into a little more detail about several things that are important when you want to implement a complete international SEO strategy.

Translate the website

A first logical step is to translate the website. Although this seems simple, in practice it often turns out to take more time than expected. When translating, it is important to pay attention to the following components, among others:

Identify the target audience: determine what languages the target audience speaks and where the target audience is located. Based on this information, you can decide on the languages in which your website should have an additional version.

Choose the right translator: of course, you choose a qualified translator who is able to flawlessly translate your website content into the language or languages you have chosen. In doing so, also consider the added value of a translator familiar with your industry.

Make an inventory list: make a list of all the pages and content on the website that you want to translate. This will give you a clearer picture of the scope of the translation project and allow you to create a realistic plan.

Use consistency: translations should be consistent in terms of style, terminology and imagery. This adds to the professional look of your website.

Test and optimize: after translating the website, it is important to test if everything works correctly. Take the time to verify that the translations are correct and clear. Continue to check this regularly and adjust as needed. This way you make sure your content is always relevant and up-to-date.

Use a specialized translation CMS: there are Content Management Systems (CMSs) specifically designed for translating websites. Examples include WPML and Polylang. Using such a system makes the translation process easier and faster. This makes managing multiple languages on your website even more feasible.

Want to support your online presence and business reputation internationally? Then know that thorough and professional translation is a prerequisite for this. Therefore, do not compromise in this area.

Establish a content strategy for each location

An effective content strategy in international SEO involves the following steps:

Establish goals: clearly define what you want to achieve with the international SEO strategy. Often this is achieving more visitors from certain regions or an increase in your sales from certain countries. Clear goals help determine the languages and markets you want to expand into.

Keyword research: conduct keyword research for each of the languages and markets you want to expand with. A keyword research will help you determine the search terms used by your target audience. You’ll discover what content is relevant to them.

Content creation: create content specific to each language and market group. For example, you can’t avoid customizing product descriptions. But also consider creating local content, such as news articles or blog posts. This content specifically addresses the interests and needs of the target audience.

Translate: translate content into any language you want to add to your website. Hiring a professional translator can be an absolute asset in this regard. This way, your content will be correct and look professional.

SEO optimization: optimize each page on the website for the specific search terms you have identified. This optimization process includes adjusting the meta title, meta description and content on the page.

Analysis and adjustment: regularly analyze the results of the international SEO strategy. If necessary, adjust them. Among other things, you track keyword performance and monitor conversion rates on your website.

Collaborate with local experts: consider collaborating with local experts. Translators, marketing agencies or web developers familiar with the local culture, language and online customs are an absolute asset when you want to enter a new market.

Creating an effective content strategy in international SEO requires a lot of time and resources, in the end, however, it contributes to greater reach, more traffic and higher website conversions.

Keep in mind the ccTLD

A ccTLD (Country Code Top-Level Domain) is a specific top-level domain extension associated with a particular country. For example, ‘.fr’ is the ccTLD for France and ‘.de’ is the ccTLD for Germany.

In an international SEO strategy, ccTLDs are often used. They indicate that a website is specifically focused on a particular country or region. Using a ccTLD can help improve the local findability of the website in search engines. In fact, search engines often associate these ccTLDs with a specific location.

The use of ccTLDs in international SEO is not mandatory. Alternative options exist, such as using subdomains or distinctive URLs. This also allows you to indicate that the website is targeted to a specific language or market group.

It is important to consider what is most effective for your business and what best fits its goals and strategies. Take time for all considerations before proceeding with implementation.

Content localization

Regional differences can greatly affect how international SEO is handled. Below I describe some key factors that can affect regional differences in international SEO:

Language differences: languages can cause significant differences in the way searches are formulated. The same goes for how content is optimized. A product called “sports shoes” in English might be “chaussures de sport” in French.

Search engine preference: different search engines, such as Google and Baidu, are dominant in different regions. Want to optimize your website for international SEO? Then keep in mind the search engine preference of that region.

Cultural differences: cultural differences can also affect how searches are formulated. The same goes for the content displayed on a Web site. For example, some cultures are more focused on visual content, while others prefer textual content.

Regulation: different regions have different laws regarding online privacy and advertising. Be aware of the rules in place to avoid punishment.

Local adjustments: make appropriate adjustments to your website for the region in which your business operates. Consider, for example, using the correct currency or displaying products and services specifically available in that region.

It is important to consider all these differences when performing international SEO. Only in this way can you improve your website’s performance in search engines and increase your visibility to users in different regions.

Localization of incoming link entries

Link building is an important part of SEO. In international SEO, it is no different. Below I have listed some tips for international link building for you:

Quality links: include only links from reliable and relevant websites. This increases your website’s rating by search engines and helps your site rank high in Google or other search engines.

Locally targeted: look for links from local websites relevant to a specific target market and language.

Guest Blogging: offer guest blogging on local websites. This is a good way to establish a reciprocal exchange of links.

Directories: to list your website and improve its SEO, use international and local business and industry directories.

Collaborate with local influencers: collaborate with local influencers who promote your products or services by offering them a link on their website.

Translation of content: translate content into different languages and ensure yourself that it is properly optimized for each language and market. This will increase your chances of getting natural links.

Relationship building: build relationships with local businesses and entrepreneurs. Find ways to collaborate and exchange links with them.

Use social media: use social media to share the website and content. You can also obtain new links this way.

Internal links: use internal links to improve search engine rating of the website. With these internal links, you support visitors in exploring your website.

Keep in mind that link building is an ongoing process. It takes time and effort to achieve the desired results. Tackle link building naturally and according to applicable search engine rules. This way you focus on links of quality and high relevance.

Hreflang tags (technical optimization)

Hreflang tags are HTML attributes that indicate in which language and for which country or region variant a page is written. These tags inform search engines about the most appropriate version of a page for a given user. That advice is based on their location, language preference and search query.

This technical optimization is important because search engines want to show their users the most relevant and appropriate version of a page. Do you have an international website? So then you can have different versions of the same page in different languages. Using hreflang tags, you can specify which version of the page is intended for users who prefer English, and which version of the page is intended for users who want to see the page in German, for example.

You should include Hreflang tags in the header of the page. You also need to set them up according to the specific syntax required by search engines. It is important to implement hreflang tags accurately and consistently. Errors or inconsistency in these tags may result in misclassification of pages. This leads to a drop in your ranking in Google and other search engines.

The customer journey differs by country

The online customer journey can vary greatly from country to country. After all, it depends on several factors, including culture, technology, economics and regulations. Below I describe some of these factors and the ways they can affect the customer journey:

Technology adoption: technology adoption varies by country. This may affect the way consumers store online. For example, mobile devices and Internet connections are less available in some countries. As a result, consumers are less able and inclined to make their purchases online.

Culture: cultural differences can affect how consumers decide to buy products or services. The same goes for communication and sales styles.

Economy: a country’s economy affects how its residents store. The economy also partly determines the means available to consumers to buy products and services. In countries with lackluster economies, consumers tend to be less willing to pay higher prices for products.

Regulations: regulations, such as laws surrounding privacy and data protection, can also affect the online customer journey. For example, a characteristic of some countries is that consumers are less comfortable sharing their personal information online. It is then more difficult to convert them into customers.

Marketing strategy: companies need to adapt their marketing strategies to the specific needs and preferences of consumers in different countries. This includes the use of local language and local currency. You also need to adjust your website content based on specific cultural differences.

The above differences should certainly not be ignored when designing the online customer journey. Having an eye for the specific customer journey means being better able to find effective ways to engage consumers. This way, you will also succeed in converting visitors better in different countries.

Currency differences

Incorporating currency differences on your website is an important aspect of international SEO. Below I give you some tips on how to do this:

Use the right currency: make sure the currency on the website is the right one for your target audience’s location. Proper currency makes it easier for consumers to understand prices. This also increases the credibility of your website.

Use real-time exchange rates: it is important to use real-time exchange rates on the website. This is the only way to ensure the accuracy of your prices. Real-time exchange rates are realized through an API or other integration that takes care of automatic update of exchange rates.

Custom price disclosures: companies must use custom price disclosures. This refers to price announcements that match local customs and expectations of the target audience. This includes mentioning currency symbols and rounding amounts correctly.

Multi-currency options: you might consider giving visitors to your website the ability to change the currency. This can be done through a dropdown menu or a similar solution.

Incorporating currency differences by country on the website is an important aspect of international SEO. After all, you improve the user experience with it and build more trust with your target audience. This has a positive correlation with higher conversion rates and greater reach into new markets.

Online payment systems vary by country

The most commonly used online payment systems on websites vary by country. The following is an overview of some popular payment systems in different regions:

North America: credit card companies such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are the most widely used payment options in North America. PayPal is also commonly used for online payments.

Europe: in many European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain, credit card companies and PayPal are the most widely used payment systems. In some countries, such as the Netherlands and Belgium, bank transfers are also popular.

Asia: In many Asian countries, including China, Japan and South Korea, e-wallets such as Alipay and WeChat Pay are becoming increasingly popular. Credit card companies and PayPal are also common payment systems in this region.

Latin America: In Latin America, credit card companies and PayPal are the most commonly used payment systems, although bank transfers are also commonly used in some countries.

Middle East: In the Middle East region, online payments are made primarily with e-wallets such as PayFort and Cash.

Industry-related international differences such as sizing systems

The specific differences by country are also reflected in the sizing systems. Let me cite a few examples:

Length measurements: some countries express length measurements in inches, while others use centimeters or meters.

Weight measure: some countries express weights in pounds, while others use kilograms.

Volume: some countries express volume in gallons, while others use liters for this purpose.

Temperature: some countries express temperature in Fahrenheit, while others use Celsius.

Do you want to offer your products and/or services worldwide? Then it is important to take the above differences into account. For example, consider including product descriptions and technical data in both systems. Another option is to implement a unit converter on your website. This makes it clear to customers exactly what you are offering. That adds to the user experience.

Content (automated) translation

Depending on your budget and the amount of time you have for this, make choices in terms of translation. Do you have limited time and want to have your content automatically translated for the international version of your website? Then several options exist for this purpose, including:

Machine translation: this is a technology in which software translates content from one language to another. Machine translation is fast and affordable, but the result is not always of high quality. Such translations quite often contain grammatical errors, inaccuracies or misinterpretations.

Translation plugins: these plugins are specifically designed to automatically translate content on your website. This method is extremely simple, but the quality of the result depends on the translation plugin you apply.

Online translation agencies: many online translation agencies offer automatic translation tools. These can translate the content of your website into different languages. The quality is usually higher than with machine translation, but it is still important to check that the translation is actually correct.

Keep in mind that machine translation should be used only as a guide. A native speaker should manually check and adjust the content at all times. This is especially essential for important content, such as legal documents or product descriptions.

So, as you have probably understood by now, there are plenty of facets to consider. Below I continue with some possible constructs within an international SEO strategy.

What possible constructs are there with an international SEO strategy?

There are several constructs you can use within international SEO to optimize a website for searches in multiple languages and regions. Below I describe each one of them. For each section, I go into detail on how to implement each option. I also describe scenarios where variables may differ from the aforementioned.

1. Top-level domains (TLDs): a TLD is the last part of a domain name, such as “.com” or “.nl.” Companies use a TLD to indicate the region in which they operate, for example, “.fr” for France or “.co.uk” for the United Kingdom. Are you using different TLDs? Then that can help with geographic targeting of the website.

2. Subdomains: subdomains are separate parts of a website and are hosted at a separate URL. Companies can use subdomains to host different versions of the website for different languages and regions. As an example, take “fr.example.com” for the French version of a Web site.

3. ccTLDs (country code top-level domains): ccTLDs are specific to a particular country. You can use these to indicate that the Web site is specific to users from that country, for example, “.de” for Germany or “.jp” for Japan.

4. hreflang tags: hreflang tags are HTML attributes that indicate which version of a page is intended for users from certain regions. Also, these attributes indicate which language the page was created with. This helps search engines show the correct version of the website to users from different regions.

5. Geotargeting in search engine advertising: companies can use geotargeting in search engine advertising. Thus, they ensure that users from specific regions and countries see the relevant ads.

6. Localization of content: companies can customize content on their websites for different regions and countries. One way they can do this is by using different currencies or displaying specific products or services available in certain regions.

7. Local keyword research: companies can conduct a local keyword research that allows them to determine which keywords are of interest within a specific region.

What is the difference between a subdomain and subfolder?

The difference between subdomains and subfolders (also called subfolders) is the way they are organized in a Web site’s URL structure.

Subdomains are separate domains attached to a Web site’s main domain. They are there to categorize or segment content in a way that makes more sense than the traditional folder structure. For example, you can have a subdomain for a specific product or service, such as product.example.com or service.example.com.

Subfolders, as the name implies, are folders that belong to an existing folder on the server. You deploy subfolders to organize and categorize content on a Web site. They are displayed as part of a website’s main domain. For example, you can have a subfolder for a specific product or service, such as example.com/product or example.com/service.

When choosing between subdomains and subfolders for content organization, it is important to be aware of how the content is organized. How you want to categorize and present that content to search engines and users also plays a role of importance. Moreover, it is important to consider the search engine optimization implications. Therefore, always ask yourself how search engines will value the content and how they will index it(2).

What are the benefits of subfolder construction?

Working with subfolders within an international SEO strategy can offer several advantages. I have listed some of these advantages point by point below:

1. Organization: subfolders provide a structured way to organize and categorize content. That can help manage multiple versions of the site for a variety of countries and languages.

2. Site authority: subfolders can help build authority for your entire site. This is because linking to content in subfolders can pass the value of those links to other pages on the Web site.

3. SEO benefits: using subfolders can add to the SEO benefits of your site. This works because all international versions of the website are on the same domain. This contributes to stronger domain authority and higher ranking of your website in search engines.

4. Content duplication: if you were to use separate domains for each country or language version of your site, it could lead to problems with duplicate content. Content duplication, as you may already know, can negatively affect your website’s SEO performance. With subfolders, you ensure that each version of the site contains unique content. Meanwhile, you still reap the benefits of having a shared domain.

Getting started with international SEO? Then it is important to be aware that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Applying subfolders is one of the many strategies at your disposal. Above all, tailor your strategy to your specific business goals, resources and the unique characteristics of the markets and your audience.

How much impact does the ccTLD have on findability within a country?

The impact of a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) on findability within a country can be quite significant. A ccTLD is a domain extension assigned to a particular country or territory, such as .nl for the Netherlands, .de for Germany and .fr for France.

When a website uses a ccTLD, it provides several search engine optimization (SEO) benefits within that country, such as:

Local relevance: by using a ccTLD, you indicate that your website is specifically targeted to users in a particular country. This increases the local relevance of your website. That, in turn, leads to higher rankings in search results for local searches.

Trust: In some countries, ccTLDs evoke more trust from users than generic top-level domains (gTLDs), such as .com or .org. So using ccTLDs can bring more traffic to your website and better ranking in organic search results for that reason as well.

Technical advantages: using a ccTLD can also have technical advantages. Here you can think about avoiding problems with duplicate content. If you were to post the same content on different domains, you run the risk of duplicate content. This does your positioning in search results no good.

The use of a coutry code top-level domain, or ccTLD, can contribute significantly to your website’s success in search results. Be aware, however, that this is by no means a guarantee of success. Other factors, such as the quality and relevance of your content, backlinks and technical optimization, are also important for achieving high rankings in search results.

The ways to incorporate hreflang tags into a website

Hreflang tags are important for indicating the language and country or region to which a specific page of a Web site is directed. Hreflang tags can be incorporated into a website in several ways, including:

1. Manual implementation: manually insert the hreflang tags into the HTML code of web pages is done by including them directly in the header section of the page.

2. Content Management System (CMS): if you use a CMS such as WordPress or Drupal, you may be able to install a plugin or module that automatically generates hreflang tags. It does this based on the language and country of your pages.

3. Hreflang sitemap: an hreflang sitemap is an XML sitemap specifically designed to contain hreflang tags for each page on your site. This allows you to implement the tags quickly and efficiently. The benefit is even more apparent when you have a large number of pages.

4. Google Search Console: Google Search Console offers a feature that allows you to enter and test hreflang tags manually. This way you assure yourself that they are implemented correctly. Manual input comes in especially handy when you only have a few pages to optimize.

It is important to note that implementing hreflang tags correctly can be a complicated process. You have several factors to consider, including the language, country and region of the pages. It is recommended that you consult search engine documentation or an SEO specialist to ensure that you are implementing the tags correctly.

Implementation within the XML sitemap is often used, given that this strategy is relatively simple technically(3). In particular, compared to HTML tags, the maintenance of these is quite simple.

Hreflang tags in the XML sitemap

Below I describe how to implement an international SEO strategy in an XML sitemap.

Create separate sitemaps for each language or region: do you have a Web site in three languages, say English, German and Spanish? Then create separate sitemaps for each language. Search engines thus experience less interference when crawling and indexing your pages.

Use hreflang tags: add hreflang tags to each page in the sitemap. Specifies which version of the page is available in which language or region. Search engines are therefore better able to show the correct version of your page to users in specific countries or languages.

Have a clear URL structure: keep your URL structure simple and clear for search engines and users. For example, use a subdomain for each language or region (e.g. es.example.com for the Spanish version of the site).

List the most important pages first: place the most important pages at the top of the sitemap. This way, search engines can crawl and index those pages first.

Check your sitemap regularly: regularly check that the sitemap is up-to-date and that no errors have occurred. This is how you ensure proper crawling and indexing by search engines.

Use Google Search Console: use Google Search Console to monitor sitemap performance. This allows you to identify any problems with your sitemap, such as crawl errors or missing pages, and address them immediately(4).

If you follow these steps, you will succeed in creating a well-optimized XML sitemap. This will improve your international SEO strategy and ensure that your website is effectively displayed to users in different countries and languages.

Pitfalls in implementing an international SEO strategy

When executing an international SEO strategy, you must be wary of several pitfalls, including:

Bad translations: poorly translated content can damage your brand reputation. Moreover, it will destroy your search engine optimization efforts. Your content is therefore best translated by a professional translator familiar with the language and culture of the target country.

Incorrect hreflang tag implementation: incorrect implementation of hreflang tags can result in incorrect search result display. This has a negative effect on ranking. Therefore, it is important to implement tags correctly. Always test them, too, so you can assure yourself that these tags work the way you envision.

Neglect local search engines: in some countries, local search engines such as Yandex (Russia) and Baidu (China) use different ranking algorithms than Google. Be aware of the different algorithms in those target countries and optimize your site accordingly.

Use of duplicate content: there is a risk that using the same content on multiple pages may be considered “duplicate content” by search engines. This has a negative impact on your search engine optimization. Your content should be unique and tailored specifically to a target country and target language at all times.

Taking cultural differences into account: cultural differences between countries can affect how you should present your brand and products. Always keep cultural differences in mind when creating your marketing and communications strategy.

Neglect of local backlinks: local backlinks from reliable sources are important for ranking in local search engines. So make sure you acquire -in a natural way- local backlinks.

A thorough knowledge of local markets and cultural differences is essential when implementing an international SEO strategy. So always be aware of the above pitfalls and avoid them to ensure that your SEO efforts bear the desired fruit.

International SEO implementation in WordPress

Want to implement international SEO in WordPress? Then you take several steps:

1. Install an SEO plug-in: there are several SEO plug-ins available for WordPress. Well-known examples are Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack. These plug-ins can help you optimize your website for search engines.

2. Choose the domain structure: you can choose a ccTLD, subdomain or subdirectory structure for the international sites. Your final choice will depend on your specific needs. There are pluses and minuses associated with each choice. So before you make a decision, weigh these carefully against each other.

3. Add hreflang tags: adding hreflang tags to your pages is very helpful to search engines. This is because it helps them better understand which version of your website it should display to users in different countries and languages.

4. Translate content: translate your content into the languages of the target countries. To facilitate this process, you can use professional translators or translation plugins (such as WPML). Your international websites will only be effective when the translations are of high quality.

5. Use local keywords: research the local keywords used in the target countries. You then use these in your content and meta tags. That’s how you rank higher in local search results.

6. Build local backlinks: with local backlinks, you can support your international sites and improve your ranking in local search engines.

7. Use Google Search Console: use Google Search Console to monitor and optimize the site for search engines. Any problems with hreflang tags, content or other SEO-related issues you can easily identify and fix with this tool.

By following the above steps, you can optimize your WordPress website for international SEO. In fact, you will ensure that your site is effectively displayed to users in different countries and languages.

Conclusion

Setting up an international SEO strategy takes a lot of time. Especially the technical implementation and the development and execution of the right content strategy require a lot of effort. Make sure your strategy is focused on what the local audience is looking for. After all, conversion is your end goal.

Want to be unburdened in this entire process? Then you can outsource setting up and implementing international SEO to an expert.