You need to translate your website. How can you make sure it’s optimized for search engines?

1 Choose the right languages

The first step is to research your potential customers and competitors in each region. What languages do they speak and search in? What keywords do they use to find your products or services? What are the cultural and legal differences that affect your content? You can use tools like Google Analytics, Google Trends, and Google Search Console to get insights into your target markets and keywords.

2 Use the right URL structure

The next step is to decide how to structure your website URLs for each language. There are three main options: using subdomains, subdirectories, or separate domains. Each option has its pros and cons, depending on your budget, technical resources, and SEO goals. For example, subdomains are easy to set up and manage, but they may be seen as separate entities by search engines and users. Subdirectories are more consistent and cost-effective, but they may require more maintenance and redirections. Separate domains are more authoritative and localized, but they may be more expensive and risky.

4 Optimize your content

The fourth step is to optimize your content for each language and market. This means not only translating your text, but also adapting it to the local culture, preferences, and norms. You need to use the right tone, style, format, and terminology for your audience. You also need to use the right keywords, titles, meta tags, and headings for your pages. You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Moz, and SEMrush to research and analyze your keywords and competitors.