Search doesn’t stop at the border. But if your website isn’t optimized for other regions, your competitors will take the traffic (and the customers) you should have earned.
International SEO makes sure that doesn’t happen. It’s more than translation or a few technical tweaks. It’s the process of making your brand discoverable, credible, and competitive in every market you choose to grow.
Key Takeaways: Why International SEO Drives Growth
- Reach global markets. Attract new customers by targeting their language and search habits.
- Improve multilingual visibility. Use hreflang and proper localization to rank in multiple countries.
- Boost conversions in new regions. Align content with local buying intent to turn traffic into sales.
- Outrank local competitors. Gain the SEO advantage in markets they assume you won’t enter.
Enhance user trust. Deliver culturally adapted experiences that keep international visitors engaged.
Build on the right foundation. Start with a technical SEO audit.
Best International SEO Companies (Summary Table)
| Agency | Best For | HQ | Notable Clients | Key Services |
| RTM | SMBs expanding internationally | USA | Coca-Cola, Salesforce, Philip Morris International | Global SEO, multilingual PPC, technical SEO |
| NP Digital | Enterprise growth | USA (Global presence) | Levi’s, CNN | International SEO, content localization, paid media |
| Semrush Agency Partners | Variety of agency partners | Global | Varies | Marketplace of agencies + SEO tools |
| Clickoo | Paid search + multilingual SEO | UK | Remy, Alliance Investments | International PPC, multilingual SEO |
| MarketSmiths | Multilingual content strategy | USA | Multiple industries | Translation, localized SEO, content strategy |
| Re:signal | E-commerce SEO | UK | ASICS, Under Armour | Technical SEO, international strategy |
Top International SEO Agencies
1. The Real Thing Marketing (TRTM)
Overview: We help growing e-commerce brands and mid-market companies break into new countries without the confusion or wasted spend. Our international SEO services are designed to get you found, trusted, and chosen in new markets - fast.
Location: United States
Strengths:
- Technical SEO that scales (hreflang, site architecture, audits that actually fix issues)
- Content built for local markets - optimized for search behavior, not machine translation
- Link acquisition in-region - real authority from sites that matter in your target countries
- Paid campaigns to accelerate traction while organic rankings mature
Notable clients: Coca-Cola, Salesforce, Philip Morris International
Why choose us: We focus on the core of international SEO that moves revenue: clean technical foundations, content that matches real search behavior in every market, and authority signals that count in-region. The result isn’t just higher rankings - it’s new customers, in new countries, buying from you.
Expand your digital reach. Explore our SEO management services.
2. NP Digital
Overview: NP Digital is built for enterprise brands with global ambitions and the budgets to back them. Their focus is on scaling search visibility in diverse markets by combining SEO, paid media, and localized content strategies.
Location: United States (global presence)
Strengths:
- Global SEO campaigns with localized content and technical setup
- Integrated services: SEO, paid ads, and content marketing under one roof
- Heavy investment in analytics and performance tracking
Notable clients: Levi’s, CNN
Why choose them: If you’re an enterprise company that needs a full-service partner to manage global campaigns at scale, NP Digital offers the resources and breadth of services to match.
3. Semrush Agency Partners
Overview: Semrush Agency Partners is a marketplace that connects businesses with vetted SEO providers worldwide. Companies can browse, compare, and choose agencies based on industry, region, and services offered.
Location: Global
Strengths:
- Wide network of vetted SEO agencies
- Search and filter by expertise, region, and client focus
- Direct integration with Semrush’s SEO platform
Notable clients: Varies by agency
Why choose them: Semrush Agency Partners is best for businesses that want to evaluate multiple providers before committing. It’s a way to shop for international SEO support with transparency into services, reviews, and case studies.
4. Clickoo
Overview: Clickoo focuses on paid media and international SEO, helping brands adapt campaigns to specific markets with precision. Their specialty is making paid search and SEO strategies work seamlessly in different languages and regions.
Location: United Kingdom
Strengths:
- Expertise in international PPC and SEO
- Strong background in multilingual campaign management
- Experience with European market entry and expansion
Notable clients: Remy, Alliance Investments
Why choose them: Clickoo is a fit for businesses that rely heavily on paid media and want SEO strategies that align with multilingual campaigns. They’re especially strong for companies targeting European audiences.
5. MarketSmiths
Overview: MarketSmiths positions itself as a content-first agency with a focus on international SEO strategy. They specialize in creating and adapting content that aligns with local search behavior.
Location: United States
Strengths:
- Content development and localization for global markets
- SEO copywriting tailored for regional markets
- Experience within different industries and buyer segments
Notable clients: Broad mix of mid-market and enterprise brands (undisclosed)
Why choose them: MarketSmiths is best for businesses that need deep content expertise alongside their international SEO. If your biggest challenge is crafting messages that resonate in new languages and cultures, they’re a strong option.
6. Re:signal
Overview: Re:signal is a UK-based agency known for its specialization in e-commerce SEO, including international growth strategies for online retailers. Their focus is on technical optimization and performance-driven campaigns that scale into new regions.
Location: United Kingdom
Strengths:
- Deep expertise in e-commerce and retail SEO
- Strong technical SEO capabilities (site migrations, hreflang, architecture)
- Proven success helping brands expand into European and global markets
Notable clients: ASICS, Under Armour
Why choose them: Re:signal is best suited for e-commerce brands that need technical SEO expertise and strategic support to expand internationally. Their track record with major retail clients makes them a solid choice for growth-focused online stores.
Pro Tip: The right agency isn’t the one with the biggest logo wall. It’s the one that can show you how international SEO drives revenue in your markets - technically, culturally, and commercially. If they can’t connect those dots fast, move on.
PRO TIP
The right agency isn’t the one with the biggest logo wall. It’s the one that can show you how international SEO drives revenue in your markets - technically, culturally, and commercially. If they can’t connect those dots fast, move on.
What Is International SEO?
International SEO is the process of optimizing your website so search engines understand which countries and languages you serve - and rank you in those markets.
In practice, it’s how you make your business findable and credible to global audiences.
Some call it global SEO, but the principle is the same: aligning your site with the search behavior of international users.
Where local SEO helps a business get discovered in one city or region, international SEO ensures your website is competitive in entirely new markets.
And yes - SEO still matters in 2025. Paid ads can win quick attention, but search is still where intent lives.
Ranking organically in a buyer’s language, in their country, remains one of the most sustainable growth channels. Forward-thinking companies are already combining international SEO with AI search optimization to stay competitive as algorithms evolve.
Core Concepts of International SEO
1. Market-Ready Content
International SEO isn’t just translation. It’s content localized for real search behavior. That means keywords, phrasing, and buyer intent specific to each region.
2. Regional Targeting
Search engines differ by geography: Google dominates globally, Baidu in China, Yandex in Russia. International SEO makes sure your site is built for the engines your buyers rely on.
3. Hreflang Implementation
Hreflang tags tell search engines which version of a page to serve to which user - language and region included. When it’s implemented cleanly - buyers land on the page that matches their needs.
4. Domain Structure
International SEO requires clear domain decisions:
- ccTLDs (example.fr): Strong local trust, higher resource demands.
- Subdomains (fr.example.com): Flexible, but authority is harder to consolidate.
- Subdirectories (example.com/fr): Efficient, easier to manage, but less local trust than ccTLDs.
The Business Case
International SEO is not a “monthly fee” service - it’s an ongoing strategy. While agencies may price it monthly, the real value comes from long-term growth: new rankings, higher conversions, and sustained revenue in each market.
How Much Do International SEO Services Cost?
International SEO pricing depends on how many markets you’re entering, how much localization is needed, and how competitive those regions are. But while numbers vary, the principle is simple: the spend has to tie directly to revenue growth - otherwise, it’s wasted.
Pricing Models
1. Monthly Retainers
Most agencies charge a retainer for ongoing work. Fees typically range from $3,000 to $15,000+ per month, depending on the number of regions, languages, and deliverables.
2. Per-Region Projects
If you’re targeting a single new market, pricing is often scoped per project. Expect $5,000-$20,000 per region for a package that covers technical setup, keyword research, and initial localized content.
3. Hourly Consulting
International SEO consultants usually bill $150-$500 per hour for audits, strategy sessions, or training.
Cost for Small Businesses
Smaller companies usually spend less, but the impact can be bigger. International SEO services for small businesses typically start around $2,000-$5,000 per month, covering one or two regions. At that level, every dollar has to be tied to outcomes (rankings, traffic, conversions) not vanity reports.
Cost isn’t just about technical fixes or translations. Authority in each region depends on links from publishers your buyers already trust locally. That’s why agencies often price this separately - see our link building pricing to understand what real in-market authority costs.
Can You Do It Yourself?
It’s possible to handle international SEO in-house with tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or Weglot. But the risks are real: a broken hreflang, a poor domain setup, or bad localization can cost you months of lost rankings. For most businesses, DIY ends up being more expensive in missed revenue than hiring experienced specialists.
If an international SEO agency can’t tell you exactly what you’re getting for the monthly fee (in terms of technical fixes, localized content, and authority building) walk away. A vague retainer is a red flag.
How to Choose the Right International SEO Agency
Hiring an international SEO agency is a market-entry decision, not a marketing line item. The right partner makes your business discoverable and competitive where you’ve never sold before.
Key Factors to Consider
1. Language and Cultural Expertise
It’s not enough to translate keywords. The right agency understands cultural nuance, buyer intent, and search behavior in every market you want to enter. That’s how you get content that converts, not just ranks.
2. Technical SEO Skills
International SEO lives or dies on the technical side: hreflang, canonicalization, site structure, and scalable frameworks. If the agency can’t audit and fix those issues, they’re not equipped to handle global growth.
3. Experience with Domain Strategy
ccTLDs, subdirectories, subdomains - each choice impacts trust, authority, and scalability. You need an agency that can guide you through those trade-offs and implement the right structure.
4. Local Link Strategies
You don’t build authority with volume. You build it by earning links from the sites your buyers already trust locally. That’s how you rank against entrenched local players.
Market Realities
SEO expertise is in demand globally - which means agencies vary widely in pricing, approach, and skill. Countries like the U.S. and U.K. have the densest concentration of SEO talent, but what matters most is not the country you hire from, it’s whether the team can execute in the markets you care about.
PRO TIP
Don’t buy “global reach” as a slogan. Buy proof. The right agency should show you case studies, rankings, and conversions tied to specific countries and languages. If they can’t, you’re not looking at a partner - you’re looking at a vendor.
Domain Strategy for International SEO
Your domain setup is one of the first decisions in international SEO. It shapes how search engines interpret your site, how authority flows, and how much trust you earn in each market.
Subdomains vs. Subdirectories vs. ccTLDs
Subdomains (fr.example.com)
- Flexible and easier to set up.
- Treated by Google as separate properties, which means authority doesn’t always consolidate.
- Useful for large organizations with region-specific teams managing their own sites.
Subdirectories (example.com/fr)
- Easiest to manage technically.
- Consolidates domain authority under one root site.
- Can be less trusted by local users than a ccTLD, but balances scalability with efficiency.
ccTLDs (example.fr)
- Build strong local trust since users recognize the country code.
- Treated by Google as a signal for that market only.
- Resource-heavy: each domain needs its own authority, content, and SEO management.
Global Search Engines
There’s no single “international search engine.” Google dominates globally, but markets like China (Baidu), Russia (Yandex), and South Korea (Naver) still run on local platforms. The right domain setup should consider not just Google, but whether you need visibility in these regional engines.
PRO TIP
Don’t copy what a competitor did with their domains. The right setup depends on your expansion plan, your resources, and how fast you need traction. A ccTLD can win local trust, but if you don’t have the bandwidth to manage it, you’ll stall. A single scalable structure beats multiple half-baked sites every time.
How Does Hreflang Affect Rankings?
Hreflang is a tag that tells search engines which language and regional version of a page to serve. Without it, Google and other engines guess - and they usually guess wrong.
Technical Implementation
- What it does: Hreflang prevents duplicate content issues by showing search engines that two pages are variations (for language or market), not copies. Proper hreflang setup ensures search engines deliver the right content to the right audience, improving both visibility and conversions.
- Why it matters: A buyer in Spain expects Spanish content. Hreflang makes sure they get it - instead of defaulting to your English page and leaving.
- Common mistakes: Wrong codes (es vs. es-es), broken annotations, or forgetting to set reciprocal tags. These errors confuse search engines and tank performance.
- Tools: Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, and dedicated hreflang generators make auditing easier, but the setup still needs technical oversight.
Hreflang is one of the most common points of failure in international SEO. Don’t leave it to chance. Treat it as core infrastructure - a small tag that decides whether your international traffic converts or disappears.
How to Localize Content for Global Markets
International SEO fails fast when businesses treat translation as localization. Running a copy through a tool won’t make it rank or convert. Localization means adapting content to language, culture, and search behavior in every region you want to win.
Language vs. Culture
Translation ≠ Localization
Translation gets the words right. Localization gets the intent right. If you copy-paste keywords from English into German or Spanish, you’ll miss how real people search in those markets.
Native Speaker Review
Content needs a native speaker to review tone, idioms, and phrasing. Search engines reward relevance, and buyers reward familiarity.
Cultural Nuance
It’s not just about words. Payment terms, imagery, even color schemes can affect whether international users trust you. Localization builds credibility that plain translation never will.
The ROI Question
Is international SEO worth the investment? Yes, if global expansion is on your roadmap. Paid media can test demand, but localized SEO is what sustains it.
Can You Do International SEO Yourself?
When to DIY vs. Hire
DIY
You can manage parts of international SEO yourself if you have the right tools and the time. Platforms like Semrush or Ahrefs make keyword research, hreflang checks, and translation management easier. For businesses testing a single market, this can be a low-risk way to start.
The Risk
International SEO gets technical fast. A broken hreflang tag, duplicate content, or a weak domain structure can tank performance for months. What looks like “saving money” quickly turns into lost rankings and revenue.
Hiring an Agency
Is it worth paying someone to do SEO? Well, agencies bring technical SEO expertise, regional market knowledge, and authority-building strategies you can’t replicate with a tool.
The ROI
Can SEO make money? Absolutely - but only when it’s built as infrastructure, not a quick campaign.
International SEO compounds: rankings in one country make it easier to expand into the next. That’s why companies that invest in proper execution see revenue that paid ads alone can’t match.
DIY SEO can get you started. But if international growth is critical, you don’t gamble with it. A single technical error can stall global expansion for a year - fixing that costs far more than hiring experts from the start.
Wrap Up
International SEO is the difference between being visible abroad and being invisible outside your home market.
It’s about building the technical foundation, localized content, and regional authority that make your business visible and trusted - in the regions that drive your next stage of revenue.
If you’ve read this far, you already know the cost of getting it wrong: wasted spend, missed opportunities, and competitors owning regions you should be selling in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is international SEO?
It’s the process of making your website discoverable and competitive in other countries and languages - through technical SEO, localized content, and authority building.
How much does international SEO cost?
Anywhere from $3K-$15K+ per month depending on markets, scope, and competition. Small businesses usually spend $2K-$5K.
Should I use subdomains or subdirectories for international SEO?
Subdirectories are easier to manage and consolidate authority. Subdomains and ccTLDs can build more local trust but require more resources.
How does hreflang affect rankings?
It tells search engines which page version (language/region) to serve, preventing duplicate content issues and improving engagement.
Is international SEO worth the investment?
Yes - because it compounds. Paid ads stop when the budget runs out. International SEO keeps delivering traffic and conversions long term.
Can I do international SEO myself?
You can with tools like Semrush or Ahrefs - but mistakes in hreflang, domain setup, or localization can cost you months of growth.
How do agencies handle multilingual SEO?
The best agencies don’t just translate. They localize: researching keywords, adapting tone, and building authority in each market.
Who is the best international SEO company?
There’s no universal “best.” The right partner is the one who proves they can grow revenue in your target markets.
What makes a good international SEO agency?
Technical precision, cultural expertise, proven case studies, and the ability to tie SEO directly to revenue.
Which country is best for SEO?
There isn’t one. The best country is the one where your customers are.
Is SEO still a thing in 2025?
Yes. Search is still where intent lives. Paid ads fade, organic rankings compound.
How much do SEO consultants charge?
$150-$500 per hour depending on experience and region.
How does international SEO work?
By combining technical setup (hreflang, domains), localized content, and link authority to rank in multiple countries.
What is hreflang and why is it important?
A tag that signals language and region to search engines. Without it, users land on the wrong version of your site.
How do I localize content for global audiences?
Adapt to language and culture. Native speaker review, idioms, tone, and local buying behavior all matter.
What’s the difference between local SEO and international SEO?
Local SEO ranks you in one city or region. International SEO ranks you in multiple countries.
What are the best tools for international SEO?
Semrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and Weglot are commonly used - but tools can’t replace strategy.
How do I get international SEO clients?
By showing case studies with real results in global markets. Proof wins contracts.
How much should I budget for global SEO campaigns?
Plan at least $5K-$20K per region, depending on competitiveness and scope.
What is the best domain structure for international SEO?
It depends on resources. ccTLDs build local trust, subdirectories are most efficient, subdomains sit in between.
Is there an international search engine?
No. Google dominates worldwide, but Baidu (China), Yandex (Russia), and Naver (South Korea) lead in their regions.
What industries benefit most from international SEO?
E-commerce, SaaS, manufacturing, B2B services - any business selling across borders.
How do I measure success in international SEO?
Rankings, organic traffic, conversions, and revenue in each target market. Not vanity metrics.
Do international SEO services really work?
Yes - if they’re executed with technical precision and cultural accuracy.
