Expanding your SEO efforts from local to global markets opens new opportunities and audience reach. Transitioning from local SEO services to international SEO services requires more than just translating content or adjusting keywords. It involves strategic adjustments to ensure your site ranks well in multiple regions while still connecting with local audiences. This guide will cover the steps needed to scale your SEO strategy from local success to international growth, helping you reach new customers worldwide.

Here’s a step-by-step roadmap to take your SEO from local success to international growth.

Step 1: Perfect Your Local SEO Strategy

Before going global, ensure your local SEO services are optimized and yield results. A strong local foundation prepares your business for the transition to international SEO.

• Optimize Google My Business: Ensure your business profile is up-to-date with accurate contact details, hours, and customer reviews.
• Focus on Local Keywords: Use specific local terms, such as “dentist in Seattle” or “Chicago car repair,” to rank within your target area.
• Encourage Customer Reviews: Reviews boost credibility and help with local rankings, establishing trust with your audience.

Once your local SEO strategy is successful, applying similar tactics to international markets with location-specific adjustments becomes easier.

Step 2: Research International Markets

Going international requires understanding the unique needs and search habits of different countries. Research the regions you plan to target to ensure the effectiveness of your international SEO services.

• Identify Target Countries: Focus on specific regions or countries where your product or service has demand.
• Research Cultural Differences: Language and cultural factors can affect keyword usage, phrasing, and user expectations.
• Evaluate Competition: Look at competitors in each country to identify potential gaps or opportunities in your SEO strategy.

In-depth research helps you understand what content resonates with each market, setting a strong foundation for success.

Step 3: Develop an International Keyword Strategy

International SEO isn’t just about translating keywords; it’s about selecting terms that match local language, slang, and search intent. Build an international keyword strategy by tailoring keywords for each country.

• Localize Keywords: Translate keywords while considering local language nuances. For instance, “car rental” in the US becomes “car hire” in the UK.
• Use Regional Slang: Adjust language to reflect how people search in each market.
• Prioritize Intent: Focus on keywords that align with users’ search intent, like informational queries versus purchase intent keywords.

Creating a keyword list for each country ensures your content resonates with international audiences.

Step 4: Optimize for Multilingual and Multiregional SEO

When expanding to international markets, you’ll need to make your website accessible in multiple languages and for multiple regions. Implementing multilingual and multiregional SEO is essential.

• Use Hreflang Tags: These tags tell search engines which language and country to display your content for, preventing duplicate content issues.
• Create Separate URLs: Set up region-specific URLs, such as “.uk” for the UK or “.de” for Germany, or subfolders like “/uk” for each country.
• Localize Content: Instead of just translating text, tailor your content to the culture, preferences, and expectations of each region.

Properly optimizing for multiple regions makes your content accessible, relevant, and user-friendly for a global audience.

Step 5: Localize Content Beyond Just Translation

Localization goes beyond simple language translation. Adapt your content to meet their cultural preferences and expectations to connect with international users truly.

• Adjust Visuals: Use images or graphics that reflect the local culture and appeal to regional tastes.
• Adapt Messaging: Tailor headlines, examples, and tone to suit each audience’s preferences.
• Consider Regional Holidays or Events: Mention regional holidays, events, or seasons to make your content timely and relevant.

Localizing content helps build a strong connection with each target market, making your brand more relatable and trustworthy.

Step 6: Build Country-Specific Backlinks

Backlinks are essential in local and international SEO, but for international markets, you should focus on getting links from reputable websites in each target country.

• Reach Out to Regional Websites: Build relationships with websites and blogs in each country to gain relevant backlinks.
• Guest Blogging: Write guest posts for sites in your target regions to boost local credibility and authority.
• Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with local influencers or bloggers who have a following in the specific region you’re targeting.

Country-specific backlinks improve your site’s authority and help you rank higher in local search results.

Step 7: Implement Technical SEO for International Sites

Technical SEO ensures your website performs well across different regions and devices. Focus on technical elements that support international SEO.

• Optimize Page Load Speed: Test your site’s speed in each region and make adjustments, such as compressing images, to improve performance.
• Mobile Optimization: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly, as mobile usage rates vary by country.
• Set Up Geo-Targeting: Use Google Search Console to target specific countries for each section of your site.

Technical SEO helps maintain site performance and usability across different countries, improving user experience and rankings.

Conclusion

Scaling from local SEO services to international SEO services is a powerful way to grow your brand and reach new audiences. By following these steps—perfecting your local SEO, researching target markets, localizing content, building region-specific backlinks, and offering localized customer support—you’ll set your business up for international success. Each market brings unique opportunities and challenges, but with a strategic approach, you can expand effectively and engage customers worldwide.

If you’re ready to expand your SEO from local to global, consider partnering with an experienced SEO agency. Contact DMA to learn how they can help you take your business to new international markets.