SEO slug

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a reference or address that specifies the location of a resource on the internet. It typically includes the protocol used to access the resource (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS), the domain name or IP address where the resource is hosted, and the specific path to the resource. In simpler terms, a URL is what you type into a browser’s address bar to access a specific webpage or resource on the web.

For instance, https://nemred.com is the English URL of Nemred — its online web address so to speak.

In the context of web development and SEO (Search Engine Optimization), a slug refers to the part of a URL that identifies a particular page or resource in a human-readable form. It is typically a simplified version of the page’s title or content, often containing only lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens, without spaces or special characters. Slugs make URLs more user-friendly and easier to understand, aiding in SEO by improving readability and relevance to search engines.

For instance, /learn/ is the slug used in the URL https://nemred.com/learn/ as the internet address of the SEO blog.

An SEO slug refers to the part of a URL that is specifically optimized for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). It typically consists of keywords relevant to the content of the page, formatted to be readable by both users and search engines. SEO slugs are crafted to be concise, descriptive, and include relevant keywords to enhance the page’s visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).

International SEO (Search Engine Optimization aka ISEO) refers to the process of optimizing a website so that search engines can easily identify which countries and languages the site is targeting. It involves strategies and techniques aimed at improving a website’s visibility and performance in global search engine results pages (SERPs) across different countries and languages. International SEO focuses on adapting content, keywords, and technical aspects of a website to effectively reach and engage international audiences, thereby increasing traffic, conversions, and overall global presence.

International SEO is crucial because it enables businesses to effectively reach and engage with global audiences. By optimizing for international search engines, websites can:

• Expand Reach. Reach potential customers in different countries who search in various languages.
• Increase Visibility. Improve visibility in global search engine results, driving more international traffic to the website.
• Enhance Relevance. Tailor content and keywords to match cultural nuances and local search behaviors.
• Boost Conversions. Increase the likelihood of converting international visitors into customers or leads.
• Compete Globally. Stay competitive in global markets by establishing a strong online presence across different regions.

Here are some of the most important international SEO best practices:

• Target Audience Research. Identify the specific countries or regions you want to reach. Consider the languages spoken in those areas.
• Keyword Research. Don’t just translate keywords – conduct proper keyword research for each target market to understand how users search for your products or services in those locations.
• URL Structure. Decide on a URL structure that works for your international strategy. Common options include country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) or subdirectories.
• Hreflang Tags. Implement hreflang tags correctly to indicate to search engines which language version of your page is most relevant for specific users.
• Content Language & Quality. Create high-quality content in the target language of your audience. Avoid relying solely on machine translation.
• Technical SEO. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and has fast loading speeds, especially important for users on slower internet connections.

The best URL structure for your international, or not, SEO strategy depends on your specific goals and resources.

International subdomains are parts of your main domain name that you use to target specific regions or languages. They appear before the main domain name, separated by a dot. For instance, a website targeting the UK market might use the subdomain “gb.companyname.com” (and not “uk.companyname.com”).

Country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) are special suffixes added to website addresses to indicate the website’s association with a specific country or region. They are the two-letter codes you see at the very end of some web addresses, like “.fr” for France or  “.de” for Germany.

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between international SEO and local SEO:

Target Audience

• International SEO: Targets a global audience, potentially across multiple countries and languages.
• Local SEO: Focuses on attracting customers within a specific geographic location, like a city, region, or state.

Keywords

• International SEO: Uses keywords relevant to a broader audience, considering search behavior and language variations across different regions.
• Local SEO: Utilizes location-specific keywords, often incorporating city or neighborhood names to target local searches.

Content

• International SEO: Content might be broader in scope, potentially needing translation or localization for different markets.
• Local SEO: Content is hyper-focused on the local area, often mentioning the city, addressing local needs, and using local references.

Backlinks

• International SEO: Backlinks can come from websites with a global reach, but targeting websites with some regional relevance can also be beneficial.
• Local SEO: Backlinks from local websites, online directories, and community pages hold more weight for local SEO.

Examples

• International SEO: A clothing company aiming to sell worldwide would use international SEO strategies.
• Local SEO: A bakery with a single location would benefit from local SEO to attract customers in their area.

In short

• Think global: International SEO expands your reach to a worldwide audience.
• Think local: Local SEO puts your business on the map for customers in your immediate vicinity.

WordPress multisites allow users to create and manage separate WordPress installations easily. This feature is particularly useful in a multilingual environment where subdirectories such as www.yoursite.com/en/ and www.yoursite.com/fr/ and other languages coexist.

And fortunately, it is indeed possible to connect different WordPress websites even after they have been created.

Setting up dual directories with gTLDs for your multilingual website, such as www.yoursite.com/ch/fr/, can be appealing for geotargeting purposes. But what should the configuration look like? Well, the best practice seen online involves adding a 301 redirect from the country code directory URL (e.g., www.yoursite.com/ch/) to the language code directory (e.g., www.yoursite.com/ch/fr/).