Mastering Technical SEO for International E-commerce Websites
Selling globally has massive potential for e-commerce firms but comes with numerous challenges. However, one of the critical factors to consider in this regard is how search engine friendly your website is in various geographical locations and multiple languages. That is why technical SEO for e-commerce websites is a multi-faceted issue, which implies the correct usage of hreflang tags, the proper domain structure selection, and geotargeting in the Google Search Console. This article focuses on these primary technical features, offering practical tips for your international SEO strategy.
Hreflang Tags: Speaking the Right Language
Hreflang tags are crucial for any e-commerce site that targets the global market. These tags assist the Google search engine in comprehending your web pages’ language and geographical targeting to provide users with the appropriate content. Using hreflang tags appropriately will avoid duplicate content problems and help deliver content in the language preferred by the user.
To implement hreflang tags, the language and the region of each version of materials must be indicated. The tags should also be placed appropriately, synchronised between the different website versions, and linked correctly to the sitemap. An international SEO agency such as Eskimoz can help with hreflang settings by advising on how to avoid mistakes and get the best result.
Choosing the Right Domain Structure: ccTLDs, Subdomains and Subdirectories
Selecting the proper domain structure for your website is one of the most essential strategies in international SEO. There are three broad categories of ccTLDs (country code top-level domains), subdomains, and subdirectories. Each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Country Code Top-Level Domains (.fr, .de, .uk)
ccTLDs are the most basic form of market targeting as you directly market to a particular country. They entirely communicate to both the users and the search engine that the content is relevant to a specific location. However, they need to be individually optimised for every domain, which may need to be more efficient regarding time and resources.
Subdomains (fr. example. com)
Subdomains enable you to focus on specific countries or languages without establishing a new brand domain. They are easier to manage than ccTLDs but may not offer the same localised ranking benefits. However, subdomains can also gain from the authority of the overall domain but may even need their separate SEO approaches.
Subdirectories (example. com/fr/)
Subdirectories are an economical solution for handling international content but are confined to a single domain. This is because they are secondary categories that enjoy the authority of the main domain and are comparatively more straightforward in terms of SEO management. However, they may not convey as powerful a regional search engine message as ccTLDs do.
Still, every structure has pros and cons, and the selection of the proper variant depends on the particular activity of the company and available resources.
Geotargeting in Google Search Console
Geotargeting enables you to define which country you want the content you put on your pages to affect, making the pages more relevant to local searches. Targeting in Google Search Console encompasses the entire site, subdomains or a specific directory, but the setting of a target country appears differently.
How to set geotargeting:
- Open Google Search Console.
- Select your property.
- Click on settings.
- On the navigation menu, hover over International Targeting and click Country.
- Choose your target country.
Correct geotargeting helps your site rank in the desired region and is crucial when using subdirectories or subdomains for various countries.
Final Thoughts
Evaluating and implementing technical SEO for global e-commerce websites remains a delicate and insightful process. The crucial steps are the correct setting of hreflang tags, domain selection and geotargeting in Google Search Console. Working with an experienced international SEO agency is essential to overcome these challenges and provide successful globalisation. Through positive mastery of those above technical aspects, your e-commerce site is poised to make the best out of your international market opportunity.
