This presentation provides an overview of how to develop a SEO strategy for international websites. It reviews how to choose the correct domain, developing content for international audiences, the algorithms of international search engines, how to account for country and regional specific regulations (like GDPR), designing your website for international audiences and measuring the success of international SEO with Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager.
This presentation was originally given in June 2018 to members of the MKESearch organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
9. URL
OPTIONS
ccTDLs
Yoursite.fr
URL that use two-letter
codes to indicate (to users
and search engines) the
state, territory or country
where a website is
registered.
Pros
• Clearest signal to search engines
• Best way to rank locally
• Connects your brand with local norms
Cons
• Can be expensive to maintain
• Separates domain authority across
sites
This is the best option to improve
international SEO.
10. DON’T FORGET…
• Hreflang Tag
• Local hosting
• Don’t auto target
• Country or region specific rules
12. Most Chinese websites use a .cn or .com.cn domain.
The Chinese government has a tight control over the
Internet in China.
You need a physical presence in China or Hong Kong
and a special certificate, to obtain the domain.
.
13. • Host your website on a Chinese server
• Deliver all third-party scripts (including
JavaScript) from a Chinese CDN or server to
ensure faster load time
• Do not use Google products – including
GoogleMaps or GoogleFonts
TECHNICAL SEO IN CHINA
15. GOOGLE
VS.
BAIDU
Google and Baidu use very
different methods to rank
sites.
• Baidu loves local sites
• Keywords and meta descriptions
are still important
• Link building is key
• Local speed matters… a lot
• Stay away from Western social
networks and controversial topics
16. OTHER
COUNTRY
TIPS
Tips and guidelines for
other country-specific SEO
regulations and norms.
• Canada government sites must be in
French and English
• Google the world search leader.
Exceptions:
• Yandex is a major search engine in
Russia and nearby countries
• Naver is the primary search engine in
Korea
• So.com is the second largest search
engine in China
• GDPR
31. TO SUM
IT UP…
• International SEO is more than just
translating your English site
• Technical SEO matters, including:
URL selection, server location, and
CDNs / third party scripts
• Design for local audiences
• Pay attention to local search engines
• Use a GTM roll-up to understand how
your SEO performs globally
Editor's Notes
Before you embark on an international SEO strategy and website development, it’s important to verify that you actually have a REASON to do international SEO because it is not easy.
Also determine if you can actually keep up. Like any other SEO or digital marketing strategy and tactic, it’s important ot stay on top of everything because it is an ever changing landscape. (Provide Flexco example here about the time it took to launch.)