Bilingual Website Manual (Mullingual Website) correct for SEO

Want to grow abroad But why add a new language and the SEO rank?
This is a true story that many business owners and marketing teams have to meet: Your business is going well in Thailand. You see the opportunity to grow in foreign markets. Therefore decided to invest in creating a bilingual website Hoping to grab new customers But the result is not like a dream ... The number of admission from abroad is almost zero. In addition, the more hurt is the SEO of the original Thai website that used to be good. Go back like that! From the plan to get more customers It turns out that the same customers may even disappear. This problem is not a bad thing. But it is a signal that many of your websites are "communicate" with Google.
Prompt for illustrations: Compare graphics, 2 sides of the left side of the Thai flag with a beautiful SEO graph. The right side is the image of other national flags (such as America, Japan) with a SEO graph that has a head down and has a question mark (?) Surrounded by mistakes and confusion when expanding to the international market.
Why adding language on the web become "disaster" for SEO
Many people think that making a bilingual website is just "translated" and then put on the web. But this is a misunderstanding and is the source of the problem. In the eyes of Google, doing that creates a lot of confusion. The main reason that makes your web in multiple languages are miserable. Comes from these errors:
- Using 100%automatic translation tools (Google Translate): direct translation is usually distorted. Not natural And the important thing is "It's not a word that local people really use." Make your content worthless in the eyes of users and google.
- Unclear URL structure: Using Parameter in URL (such as `` YourDomain.com? Lang = ens) is a way that Google "doesn't like" because it's not clear who this page is for. Or for which country, especially
- No hreflang tag: This is the most serious error! HREFLANG is the code that tells Google, "Hey! This page has a version for other languages/countries in this URL. "If there is no tag, Google will be confused and may think that your language content is" duplicate content ", which directly affects the rankings.
- Not "adjust the content to the local" (Localization): You may translate the word "promotion" to "Promotion", but in America may use the word "deal" or "Offer" rather than understanding cultural contexts and using words. Makes you miss important keywords Go unfortunately
These problems make Google not sure which version of the website to present to users in different countries, so they don't choose your website. Understanding the correct SEO strategy is an important starting point before expanding the market.
Prompt for illustrations: Google cartoon image (Google's robot) standing on the head at the intersection with many signs to point to many languages (TH, EN, JP), but every sign points to the same content, googot confusing which way to go.
Release the two languages that are wrong. What will happen? (More terrifying effects than expected)
Multilingual SEO is wrong, not just making you "Not only new customers", but it also has a negative impact back to your main business. Imagine:
- Lost the credibility in the eyes. Google: When Google thinks that your website only has duplicate content and creates a bad experience for users (POOR EXPERIENCE). The overall Authority is reduced. Which pulls the rankings of all languages Even the original Thai language
- The keyword cannibalization: your Thai and English pages may compete for the same keywords. Causing no page to be ranked well as it should be
- Lost the marketing budget. Benefits: The money you throw in the website and translate the content will become zero immediately. Because no one searched Finally, you have to pay for the expensive advertisement.
- Lost the opportunity for local competitors: while you are in a technical problem Competitors in the target country that understand the market better. Will grab that group of customers Creating the right website from the beginning is very important. Especially the web that is complicated Website for industrial sectors
Letting these problems chronic Is like building a beautiful house but without a door In the end, no one can come to visit or buy things from you.
Prompt for illustrations: dark world map images Only Thailand is illuminated. As for other countries Which is the target with a brick wall with the symbol "No Entry". Media that our website cannot access the world market.
How to solve the game: 3 pillars in making the correct Mullingual SEO
The good news is that all of this problem can be solved. SEO for many correct websites are located on 3 pillars that must always be done at the same time. Cannot lack one item at all
1. URL structure (URL Structure): You must choose a clear structure to signal to Google. Each part of the website is for anyone. There are 3 recommended options, which Google recommends :
- Sub-directories (Sub -folder): `` YourDomain.com/EN/`,` YourDomain.com/JP/` - ** Recommended for beginners ** because it's easy to handle and Authority of the main domain will be passed on to all languages.
- Sub -domains (sub -domains): `` en.yourdomain.com`, `JP.YourDomain.com` - Suitable for businesses that want to clearly separate brands or content of each country.
- CCTLDS (domains of each country): `` YourDomain.co.th`, `` YourDomain.co.uk` - is the strongest signal for Google, but it has the most complex cost and management.
2. HREFLANGAT tags: This is the "heart" of the multilingual seo. It is a small piece that you have to put in the head of every page to tell Google where this page has any other version of the language. `` YourDomain.com/EN/`and vice versa The English page must also have a code to point back to the Thai page as well.
3. Translation and adjustment to the local (Translation & Localization): As I said, do not use only translation tools. But there must be real people That understands the culture and language of the target country to help clutch the content (Localization) to ensure that you use the right word Can communicate exactly And choose the keyword that "his people" really used to search, which Ahrefs emphasized this importance In their articles as well
The beginning of these structures is correct. Is the first step towards the success of Make the website ranked in Google in every market you want.
Prompt for illustrations: Infographic shows 3 pillars (icon, URL, icon `` for hreflang, icon for people talking for Localization) with an arrow pointing in a circle Shows that all 3 must be done at the same time
Examples from the real thing: Thai spa brands successfully invade the Japanese market with Mullingual SEO.
In order to be clearer I would like to give an example. (Modified from the actual case) of the Thai spa product brand that wants to invade the Japanese market.
Problems: In the beginning, they used the method of creating a Japanese version of the website. `Domain.com/JP` and use an automatic translation plug for stores on Shopify. There are 6 months. There is almost no traffic from Japan. And when searching with Japanese keywords about "Organic spa products" did not find their own websites at all.
Method: The team decided to overhaul all.
- Check HREFLANG: They hire experts to check and install the HREFLANG Tag correctly on all pages and articles.
- Localization content: Instead of just using direct translations They hire Japanese marketers to help write all new products. By focusing on the selling point "Meticulousness" and "natural ingredients" which are what Japanese attaches importance
- Adjust On-Page SEO: Change Meta Title and Description to natural and attracting to click.
- Understand the platform: they study the SEO manual for Shopify , especially to ensure that all technical settings are in line with the best practice.
Results: Only 3-4 months after adjusting Their website began to appear on the first page of Google.co.jp` For many Niche keywords, the organic from Japan has increased by more than 800% and most importantly Began to have orders from Japanese customers regularly This is the proof that the investment of Multingual SEO correctly is worth the return. Especially for the desired business Multiple e-commerce solutions
Prompt for illustrations: The Before & After analysis of the TRAFFIC screen, showing a map of Japan in gray, and the traffic number 0 side shows the map of Japan, a bright green and a traffic graph, with a shopping cart that floats.
What do you want to do? (Checklist for bilingual web at Google love)
Ready to make your website grow in the world market, right? Try to follow this easy checklist.
- Choose your URL structure: decide clearly to use Sub-Directory (`/EN/`), Sub-Domain (``), or CCTLD (`co.uk`). We recommend starting from Sub-Directory First, if you are not sure
- Plan a keyword for each language: Don't guess! Use Keyword Research to find out what words in the country use. Find products or services like you.
- Translate and adjust the content to the locality (Localize): Invest in Native Speaker or experts to help see your content. Both product pages, articles and even a little text on the keypad
- Install hreflang tags: Make sure that every page has other language versions. There is a correct hreflang tag and point back.
- All ON-Page SEO adjust: Meta Title, Meta Description, URL, and Image Alt Text, which are local languages for every page.
- Set in the Google Search Console: If you use the structure Sub-Directory You can use features. International Targeting (although Google is more relying on hreflang, it is still not damaged to do) to dumb to Google to know.
- Create a Local Signals: Try to find an opportunity for your website to talk or have a link from the target website. This will help increase great reliability.
Following these steps will help Corporate website Yours are ready for the true rough competition.
Prompt for illustrations: Large checklist images with 7 main topics according to the list above. With an easy -to -understand icon in each item And there is a person who is ticking the correct mark in the final channel with confidence
Common questions (FAQ) about Mullingual SEO
Q1: Can I use the automatic translation plug in?
A: Not very recommended! The plug -in or Google Translate is suitable for users "to understand" the content rough, but "not for SEO" because the quality of the language is not good enough and does not use keywords that the local people search for real. Should be used as a starting point for people to come to check and improve (Localization) always
Q2: Between Sub-Domain and Sub-Directory Which type is better for SEO?
A: Both types can do SEO well if the settings are correct! But have different advantages. Ahrefs and most experts tend to recommend "Sub-Directory" (`/EN/`) for starting. Because it is easy to install and gets "SEO Power" from the full main domain, while "Sub-Domain" (`en.`) is like creating a new website that has to start accumulating Authority itself, but it is more flexible to customize the web for each country.
Q3: HREFLANG Tag, is it necessary to put on every page of the web?
A: Must be put in "all the pages with other language versions", and the important thing is to wear the "Return" (Reciprocal) means that the A. must point to the page. B. and the page B. must point back to the A. A. In addition, every page should have a hreflang that points to "itself" to confirm that this is the version of that language.
Q4: Should we translate everything on the website? Even customer reviews?
A: The main content such as product page, service, article should be translated and all Localize. As for the content that the user created (User-Generated Content). Reviews may not need to be translated. The original language review may help increase reliability. But you may add a small "translation" feature for users to read by yourself.
Prompt for illustrations: Image icon, bright light bulb With clear question marks and answers. Easy to understand.
Summary: Change the bilingual website into a gateway to the world market, not a dead end.
Multi -language website is not just about translation, but is the "experience" for the best users in each country and "signal" that is correct and clear to Google. The key consists of 3 parts that are not lacking, which are clear URL structures , complete HREFLANG installation , and creating a logalize content is not just a straight translation.
Do not let the small technical mistakes destroy your business growth opportunities in the world market. Investment is effective in order to lay the foundation of the Mulilingual SEO correctly from today. Is to create digital assets that will benefit your business for a long time
It's time to truly turn your website into a tool for customers from around the world! Start checking your website according to the checklist and editing today. Or if you need experts to help take care of the E-Commerce website or many organization websites Yours to be the most accurate ...
Consult the Vision X Brain team for free! We are ready to help you grow in every market you want.
Prompt for illustrations: The world image opens like a large door. And there are many arrows coming out of Thailand to various continents, reflecting the opening of the door to the world market.
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