Selling beyond your own country.
THE DECISIONS
Which countries and languages you target Whether to use separate domains, subdomains or subdirectories How to signal which version serves which audience
URL STRUCTURE
Subdirectories are simplest and keep authority on one domain. Country-specific domains give the strongest local signal and require the most work.
SIGNALLING
Hreflang markup tells engines which version serves which language and region. Each version references all others including itself.
Errors here are common and result in the wrong version being shown.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Automatically redirect based on location. It prevents crawling of other versions and frustrates visitors who want a different one.
Offer a clear selector instead.
CURRENCY AND PRACTICALITIES
Showing prices in the visitor's currency improves conversion. Whether you can settle in it depends on your payment gateway.
Shipping costs and delivery times need working out before you offer international sales.
THE PRACTICAL ADVICE
Establish your domestic market first. International complexity is worth adding when there is demand to justify it.
