If your business has a growing global audience, how can you ensure your international SEO efforts are helping – not hindering – your reach? Expanding your brand’s presence across different markets is an exciting opportunity, but it comes with its own set of challenges, and simple missteps can hinder your success.
It’s not as simple as translating your website and hoping for the best – different regions have different search habits, cultural nuances and even preferred search engines. The strength of your international SEO could be the difference between an overseas customer choosing you or a more local competitor.
In this guide, we highlight key international SEO mistakes to avoid, helping you refine your strategy and ensure your brand remains competitive in every region you operate in. Let’s dive in.
International SEO mistakes to avoid
Expanding globally is exciting, but falling victim to easily avoided mistakes can stifle your growth. Here are some common pitfalls to steer clear of:
Ignoring cultural differences
What works in one country might not work in another, and different regions may have varying interpretations of certain cultural nuances. For example, the “okay” hand gesture is considered offensive in Brazil, and is comparable to giving someone the middle finger! Approach your target market’s culture knowledgeably and sensitively to avoid any embarrassing mix-ups.
Skipping local SEO
Many businesses think that local SEO doesn’t apply to them when operating internationally, but you can still benefit from local SEO, even if you aren’t technically local. Set up new profiles for your business on regional-specific directories to give your presence in each region a more authoritative and authentic feel. Click here to find out more about local SEO.
Failing to localise content
A single piece of content may not resonate with audiences in different countries, so before you copy and paste, tweak your messaging to suit each audience. Switching any mentions of currencies or measurements to those used in each country is a quick and easy way to make your content feel more region-specific.
Neglecting mobile optimisation
Different regions have varying levels of mobile usage, with some markets relying almost exclusively on mobile devices for internet access. Mobile traffic already makes up 60% of internet traffic worldwide, but in some countries, this is even higher – such as India, with 76% mobile traffic. Ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is crucial to maintaining visibility and engagement across international audiences.
Overlooking international link building
Backlinks aren’t just for your flagship site – building backlinks from region-specific, authoritative sites can boost your rankings in international search results too. Build relationships with local bloggers, news outlets, and influencers to improve your brand’s credibility in different markets.
Why international SEO is so important
Expanding your brand’s global reach in the right way requires building trust and visibility in every market you enter. By avoiding these common international SEO pitfalls, you can create a seamless experience for your international audience, strengthen your online presence and grow your customer base worldwide.
Is your SEO where it needs to be? Embrace Marketing is a specialist outsourced marketing agency. We’re a unique hybrid, as our team combines both in-house and agency skills and expertise. Email hello@weareembrace.com for an initial chat.
This latest thinking article was written by:
Jack Lenton
Content Manager