SEO Localization Vs SEO Translation: Which is Essential For Your Website?

When you are running an online business and targeting local consumers in your country, “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” is one of the ways to target them easily.

But what if you want to go beyond your local target audience and make an effort to reach more foreign clients in different countries?

In this case, you need to optimize your website for the new country you are targeting for which SEO translation as well as SEO localization are there to help you accomplish your goals.

You’ll be able to decide whether to localize or simply translate your business website if you know the difference between these two procedures.

SEO Translation

SEO translation is all about translating the website’s content in a way that still works well in a search even when it’s been converted accurately into the target language.

SEO translation doesn’t require only a translator but also someone who has extensive knowledge of SEO tactics. This translator would consider more factors than just human readers on how to make a website more appealing to search engine algorithms.

They would focus more on the elements of proper SEO like tags, titles, expressions, keywords, script messages, and many different attributes that boost the search-ability of a web page.

For instance, a page may perform better in a search when it is in its original language, however, when its titles are translated directly into the preferred language, that time it may find it difficult to rank on the search engine.

Role of SEO Keywords

Only accurate website translation into the target language wouldn’t work. It is crucial to take care of some SEO elements to boost the search-ability of your website. To ensure that your website gets ranked on any search engine, you need to understand the role of SEO keywords.

Keywords play a crucial role in SEO and top-ranking keywords in English may be as relevant in another language. To overcome this issue, identify the target keywords and their frequency in the original document. After that, the text is translated accurately and, when the entire process is completed, the translated keywords may be required to be adjusted.

Sometimes translating the keyword doesn’t work. In that case, you need to identify a new keyword. This is because of several factors. Firstly, its translation might seem strange, and secondly, the translated keyword might not be a word that is frequently searched.

For example, to find the right set of keywords when you are ready to effectively translate document into Urdu language, you need to take a professionals help. They can identify the number of searches for every keyword and thus, choose keywords which you should be targeting in the perfectly translated text.

SEO Localization

Because the translation is not sufficient, SEO localization is a step ahead of translation that is more than just converting content word-for-word. It adapts any type of content on a cultural level so that the audience would never identify that the copy was not in its original form.

SEO localization includes an audience who is highly engaged because they found that the content communicates with them directly. This is one of the major reasons to localize your content.

SEO Localization removes metaphors, wordplay, or context that may create confusion if the content is directly translated into the target language.

Why Does Culture Matter?

Culture plays a crucial role in the difference between localization and translation. Translation simply transforms the text from the actual language to the target language. Whereas, localization makes sure that the idea of the content in one language quickly resonates with the audience in a different language.

Localization doesn’t directly translate the entire content into the preferred language but ensures that a message delivered to the audience sounds culturally relevant to the audience. In this way, the multilingual audiences find it easy to relate with your business/brand and become your potential customer.

The comprehensive website localization process is not just limited to text. You can localize symbols, colours, and even hand gestures. Being culturally aware is quite essential if you want to attract more multilingual audiences.

SEO Translation vs. SEO Localization

Choosing between SEO translation and SEO localization totally depends on your requirements and goals. The translated SEO content won’t have a similar cultural appeal as SEO content that has been localized. SEO translation aims to boost your search-ability while localization aims to make your content sound more relatable to your new audience.

If you want your content to resonate with a new market, you should take into account their cultural differences. SEO Translation of your website only makes you win half the battle. If a multilingual SEO strategy is in your mind, localizing your SEO instead of just translating it is the approach that makes your website achieve higher rankings and drive a more multilingual audience.

We have good experience in translating as well as localizing content for brands. Reach out to us today at +91-8527599523 or send us an free quote now.