Key Takeaways
- Outsourcing multilingual SEO gives you access to local expertise, cost-savings, and scalability for expanding into new markets.
- Key services to outsource include localized keyword research, content translation, hreflang tag implementation, and technical SEO auditing.
- Top providers like Near, Unbabel, and Alconost offer diverse solutions for different SEO needs and budgets.
Reaching an international audience requires more than just buying extra domains or translating your existing content. It involves a strategic SEO approach tailored to different cultural nuances.
Multilingual SEO ensures your website appears in local search results, boosting traffic, engagement, and conversion rates in new markets. But, managing it in-house can be extremely difficult (and expensive), especially if you lack expertise.
This article will explore the reasons to outsource multilingual SEO, some key services you can delegate to external providers, and the average cost. We’ve also put together a list of three top companies that can help you outsource multilingual SEO.
Why Outsource Multilingual SEO?
Success in any market requires effective communication. If people can’t find you or don’t understand what you’re selling, they’ll never become customers.
Here’s how outsourcing multilingual SEO can help you climb the search rankings outside your home region:
Access to local expertise in diverse regions and languages
One of the most significant advantages of outsourcing SEO is access to local expertise. Native-speaking SEO specialists understand the cultural nuances and language intricacies that can make or break your digital marketing efforts.
This local insight ensures that your content resonates with your target audience and aligns with their search behaviors and preferences.
Focus on core business activities while leaving the technicalities to specialists
Outsourcing allows your in-house marketing team to concentrate on core functions without getting bogged down by the complexities of multilingual SEO.
SEO is a specialized field that requires constant updates and adjustments to stay effective. By delegating this responsibility to experts, your team can prioritize other marketing activities to drive further growth.
Cost-efficiency compared to managing an in-house multilingual team
Managing an in-house multilingual SEO team can be costly. It involves hiring specialists, continuous training, and investing in various SEO tools and technologies.
Outsourcing, on the other hand, can be more cost-efficient. You get access to seasoned professionals who know their way around the latest tech and methodologies at a fraction of the cost of maintaining an in-house team.
Scalability as businesses expand into new markets
As your business grows and enters new markets, your SEO needs will evolve. Outsourcing allows you to scale your efforts without the logistical challenges of expanding an in-house team.
An external provider can easily adjust their services to accommodate new languages and regions, ensuring your SEO strategy remains effective as your online presence expands.
Key Multilingual SEO Services You Can Outsource
While some elements of multilingual SEO might seem familiar, nuances like cultural sensitivity and local search behaviors add a layer of complexity. These complications make it challenging to find qualified local candidates, especially in some US regions with low multilingual populations.
Here are some key services you can outsource to ensure your multilingual SEO strategy is robust and competitive:
Localized keyword research
Localized keyword research involves understanding how people in different regions search for products or services and identifying the terms and phrases they use in their native language.
Professional SEO experts have the tools and expertise to conduct thorough keyword research in multiple languages, ensuring your content ranks well in local search engines.
Local backlink building
When expanding into new markets, it’s essential to secure backlinks from reputable local websites. Outsourcing link building to professionals with established networks in various regions can save considerable time and effort, enhancing your credibility and visibility across different locales.
Hreflang tag implementation
Hreflang tags indicate to search engines which language and regional version of a webpage should be served to users. Properly implementing these tags can be complicated, but it’s critical for avoiding duplicate content issues and ensuring the correct pages appear in local search results.
SEO specialists can handle the technical intricacies of hreflang tag implementation, ensuring your site performs optimally across all targeted regions.
Content translation and localization
Effective localization involves adapting your content to resonate with different audiences’ cultural and contextual nuances. Native speakers and SEO experts can translate and localize your content to make it relevant and engaging for each target market.
Analytics and reporting
Outsourcing analytics and reporting to specialists ensures that you receive detailed and accurate insights into how your SEO strategies are performing. These experts can provide actionable recommendations based on data (for example, Google Analytics reports), allowing you to fine-tune your approach and maximize ROI.
Technical SEO auditing
Technical SEO audits are necessary to identify and fix issues hindering your site’s performance. They include aspects like:
- Site speed
- Mobile-friendliness
- Crawlability
When dealing with multilingual websites, the complexity increases significantly. Outsourcing technical SEO auditing to experienced professionals ensures your site is optimized for search engines across all languages and regions.
What To Look for in a Multilingual SEO Provider
Here are key attributes to look for and questions to ask during the selection process to ensure you partner with the best multilingual SEO provider:
Experience
Experience is a key indicator of a provider’s ability to handle complex SEO projects. Experienced providers have a deeper understanding of the challenges and intricacies involved in multilingual SEO.
Questions to ask:
- How many years have you been providing multilingual services for SEO?
- Can you share some examples of multilingual SEO projects you’ve successfully managed?
- Do your team members have certifications or specialized training in SEO?
- Do you keep up to date with changes in search engine algorithms?
Regional and language expertise
A provider’s ability to offer localized services relies heavily on their expertise in various regions and languages. Native speakers and regional experts are essential for ensuring your content resonates with local audiences.
Questions to ask:
- How many languages do you commonly work in?
- Do you have native speakers and regional experts on your team?
- How do you ensure cultural nuances are appropriately addressed in your SEO strategy?
Track record
A proven track record can provide insights into a provider’s capability and effectiveness. Reviewing case studies can help you evaluate their success rates and methodologies.
Questions to ask:
- Can you provide case studies or client testimonials to demonstrate your success in multilingual SEO?
- What measurable outcomes have you achieved for your clients?
- Can you provide specific examples of challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them?
Range of services
Comprehensive service offerings indicate a provider’s capacity to manage all aspects of your multilingual SEO strategy, from technical audits to content localization.
Questions to ask:
- What specific multilingual SEO services do you offer?
- How do you handle localized keyword research, backlink building, and technical SEO?
- Can you manage both the translation and localization of content?
Customization and flexibility
Each business is unique, and a good provider should offer customized solutions that align with your goals and market needs.
Questions to ask:
- How do you tailor your SEO strategies to fit the unique needs of different businesses and industries?
- Can your services scale as we expand into new markets?
- What is your approach to ongoing communication and reporting?
Cost of Outsourcing Multilingual SEO
When considering the cost of outsourcing multilingual SEO, it’s important to understand that there are various approaches, each with its own price range and benefits.
The cost will largely depend on the specific services you need, the expertise required, and the geographical focus of your strategy.
Translation tools
One option is using AI translation tools with packages between $10,000–$30,000/year. These tools can quickly and efficiently handle translation and some aspects of localization. However, are unlikely to cover the full spectrum of SEO tasks needed for an effective global strategy.
SEO agencies
SEO firms employ experts who can provide a holistic approach to multilingual SEO. Their costs can vary widely depending on their reputation, the complexity of your project, and the regions you wish to target.
Some firms may charge on a project basis. Others might offer monthly retainers ranging from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands for extensive campaigns.
Remote SEO specialists
Hiring a remote SEO specialist as an independent contractor could be the answer if you’re looking for the most cost-effective option.
For example, the average annual salary of an SEO specialist based in Latin America is approximately $36,000—significantly lower than a local US candidate who averages around $88,900.
Hiring remote specialists allows you to tap into global talent pools with the necessary language and regional expertise but at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-time, in-house employee.
Top 3 SEO Service Providers for Your Multilingual Sites
Need help choosing the best provider to outsource multilingual SEO? Below are our top three picks (in no particular order), one from each category mentioned above. These providers offer diverse solutions to help you reach a global audience.
1. Near
Hey, that’s us! At Near, we help you find, hire, train, and pay remote specialists from Latin America. Our pool of 35,000+ pre-vetted candidates includes many multilingual SEO experts with lower salary expectations than their US-based counterparts.
By working with us, you can save 30–70% on hiring costs while adding a valuable multilingual SEO expert to your team in under 21 days.
2. Unbabel
Unbabel uses AI-driven technology to provide efficient, high-quality translation and content localization, significantly enhancing your multilingual SEO strategies. Its standard packages start at a $30,000 minimum commitment, but there are pay-as-you-go options for more flexibility.
3. Alconost
Alconost offers comprehensive multilingual SEO services. It’s an excellent choice for businesses looking for a holistic approach. It employs native speakers and regional experts to ensure your content is translated and culturally adapted to each target market.
Final Thoughts
Outsourcing multilingual SEO is a smart move for expanding businesses. Choosing the right partner can significantly affect how effectively you penetrate new markets.
Ready to take the next step? Book a free, no-commitment call with Near to speak directly with a hiring expert. Let’s discuss how you can effectively scale your multilingual SEO efforts by hiring a specialist based in Latin America.