Local and International SEO - Differences | Detailers Roadmap

Google was the most used search engine in the US in 2022 and accounted for 61.7% of all desktop search queries, according to Statista. SEO is the foundation of every website, and how much traffic you will draw depends on your SEO approach.

Proper SEO and digital marketing strategy allow your business to be easily discovered. So, it is critical to gain a better understanding of local SEO vs international SEO techniques to zero in on your target audience and drive organic traffic to your site.

Below, we’ll discuss the differences between these two types of SEO so you can choose the right one for your business.

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO is the system of optimizing a site to raise brand awareness and generate more leads through local search. This strategy helps businesses show up more in Google's local search results. Local SEO is most beneficial to businesses that have a physical store. 

What is International SEO?

International SEO or global SEO is the process of optimizing a blog or website with the goal of letting search engines determine which countries you want to target or which languages to use. In fact, international SEO procedures are designed for geolocation SEO, in which businesses optimize their websites for different languages and countries rather than optimizing for local traffic. 

5 Aspects That Distinguish Local and International SEO

Keep reading to learn the five factors SEO specialists consider to differentiate local from international SEO.

Audience and Competition

Local SEO is for businesses that target an audience in a specific region. The competition depends on the keywords specific to that region. On the other hand, international SEO is for businesses that target an audience in various geolocations. Some keywords may have low competition in some countries and high competition in others, depending on the country and keywords.

Techniques/Approach

The goal of international SEO is to increase the site's global visibility, whereas the goal of local SEO is to increase visibility locally. International SEO employs global keywords while local SEO focuses on specific keywords for geographical regions, such as the city or county or terms more recognizable in a region. You must tailor your website’s offers and messages to the audience in each country or city instead of copying the content from one language to another.

Keywords

The keywords for local SEO must be very specific because they serve a limited audience. The keywords should be optimized for the specific location, so that your website will have a higher chance to rank on the search engine results page. International SEO targets generic keywords – usually key phrases that are popular in many countries.

Application

Local SEO is an excellent choice for small businesses that are locally focused and want to target the audience in a specific city or region. International SEO is an excellent choice for companies that operate across borders and offer their services globally. This SEO strategy entails targeting customers globally via various search engines. 

Cost

Local SEO is less expensive than international SEO, as the local SEO team is focused only on one site. On the other hand, an international SEO team must assess, manage and optimize multiple websites, so it requires more time and effort. However, an international SEO strategy has the potential to double your profit.

What is the Right Option: Local SEO vs International SEO? 

Before implementing an SEO strategy, you must first determine the scale of your company’s operations or what your plans are so you can develop the strategy that will benefit your brand. Detailers Roadmap has the knowledge and experience to get you the results you need to achieve your goals.

Contact us today to discuss your business expansion plans. A brief informational call will bring you up to speed on our offerings, pricing, and processes. You can select from a variety of car detailer SEO packages that are suitable to a variety of budgets and needs. Our digital marketing services can help you increase your online visibility.