How to Get Your Website in a Different Language to Rank on Google

Want to take your website global? Ranking a site in a non-English language on Google might feel like navigating through a maze. Google's algorithms are primarily tuned to English content, so getting your website to rank in another language can be a tough challenge. But don’t worry – with the right strategies, it’s possible! In this blog, we’ll dive into common problems and their solutions to help you rank your website in a different language on Google.

1. Problem: Language and Content Issues

The Problem: Google's algorithms favor English content, making competing websites in other languages tricky. Poor-quality translations, irrelevant content, or cultural mismatches could negatively affect rankings.

Solution:

• Focus on high-quality, relevant content in the target language.
• Use native speakers or professional translators to craft content that resonates with your audience.
• Ensure your content is culturally appropriate, not just a simple translation.

Real-World Example: A Spanish clothing brand struggled to rank for fashion-related searches in Spain. They brought in local copywriters to create content that spoke directly to Spanish customers' needs and trends. The result? Their site traffic skyrocketed in just a few months.

2. Problem: Correct Language Tagging

The Problem: If Google doesn’t recognize the language of your content, it can’t index it correctly. Without proper tagging, your pages might not show up for users in the right language or region.

Solution:

• Use hreflang tags to signal the correct language and region of each page.
• For example, use this for a Spanish website targeting Mexican users: <link rel="alternate" href="URL" hreflang="es-MX" />
• Make sure hreflang tags are applied across all your pages to avoid any duplicate content issues.

Real-World Example: A global cosmetics retailer was facing issues with duplicate content penalties. After implementing proper hreflang tags like hreflang="es-MX" for Mexico and hreflang="es-ES" for Spain, their organic search traffic from each region grew significantly.

 3. Problem: SEO Best Practices for Foreign Language Websites

The Problem: Many websites in non-English languages overlook crucial SEO best practices, from keyword optimization to local content strategies. This can affect your ability to rank and get noticed.

Solution:

• Research local keywords: Use keyword tools to find local search terms in your target language.
• On-page SEO: Optimize titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body content with the correct keywords.
• Focus on local SEO: Target country-specific searches, get local backlinks, and list your business on regional directories.

Real-World Example: A Brazilian tech blog wasn’t seeing enough traffic from Brazil. After conducting research and targeting Brazilian Portuguese keywords, along with backlinks from local blogs, they saw their traffic from Brazil triple within 6 months.

4. Problem: Local Backlinks and Authority

The Problem: Backlinks are crucial for SEO, but getting high-quality backlinks from local sources in non-English markets can be a challenge.

Solution:

• Focus on building backlinks from reputable local websites, influencers, and country-specific directories.
• Reach out to local blogs, news outlets, and influencers for guest posts, mentions, or collaborations.
• Engage with online communities or forums popular in your target language to establish trust and authority.

Real-World Example: A UK-based travel blog targeting German-speaking audiences struggled with local backlinks. By collaborating with German travel influencers and guest posting on popular local blogs, they increased their backlink profile, boosting their rankings significantly.

 5. Problem: Technical SEO Issues

The Problem: Technical SEO issues such as slow page load times, mobile unfriendliness, and indexing problems can hinder your rankings, especially when targeting a global audience.

Solution:

• Optimize for mobile: Many non-English-speaking countries rely heavily on mobile browsing.
• Speed matters: Improve page load times by optimizing images and scripts.
• Monitor using Google Search Console: Regularly check for errors, and indexing issues, and fix them.

Real-World Example: An Italian e-commerce site selling luxury handbags wasn’t ranking well in Italy due to slow load times. After optimizing their website for mobile and improving site speed, their organic rankings in Italy improved and user engagement skyrocketed.

6. Problem: Understanding Local Search Intent

The Problem: Search intent varies from region to region, and understanding what users are searching for in a particular language can be tricky.

Solution:

• Tailor your content to local search intent, keeping in mind different cultural preferences.
• Use tools like Google Trends or local keyword research tools to understand what users in that language are looking for.
• Create content that answers local needs or questions, ensuring it’s in line with the local context.

Real-World Example: A German software company selling project management tools didn’t fully understand the specific needs of the German market. After conducting deeper research into local business preferences and adjusting their messaging, they saw a significant rise in local searches and leads.

7. Problem: Google Algorithm Limitations

The Problem: Google’s algorithms aren’t perfect, and they may struggle with understanding or indexing non-English content, especially if it’s not well-structured.

Solution:

• Focus on creating high-quality, authoritative content that aligns with Google's overall guidelines.
• Keep your content fresh and updated regularly to ensure Google understands it better.
• Stay on top of Google’s algorithm changes and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

Real-World Example: A French tech company faced issues with their blog posts not ranking as expected. By regularly updating old content with fresh information and restructuring their posts, they saw improved rankings, especially after a Google algorithm update.

Conclusion:

To sum it up:

• Language tagging (like using hreflang tags) is essential for targeting the right audience.
• High-quality, localized content is key for ranking in foreign languages.
• Local backlinks and mobile optimization can significantly boost your SEO efforts.
• Understanding local search intent and adapting to it is a game-changer.

By consistently following these best practices, your website can rank globally, regardless of the language. Don’t let the challenge of language barriers hold you back. Start optimizing, and soon enough, your global audience will find your content with ease!

Ready to take your website global? Start applying these strategies today, and watch your site rank higher on Google across the world!