There are various steps you need to follow in order to have a successful international SEO implemented on your website. 

Research

First off, check Google Analytics for your current international organic search visibility and track your conversions and target audience. Also, examine from which country you get the highest traffic, and which keywords are helping you rank higher and attract more visibility. Going further, analyse your traffic volume, conversion rates from the website, and figure out whether your traffic is coming from top international market countries. 

Localising

You have to adjust and hire a translator to translate your website content to targeted countries’ local languages. Consider getting an editor who knows the local market, speaks the local languages and knows English as well for better communication purposes, and who understands the niche target market you are working on. 

Keyword research

It’s important to note that a focus keyword which is getting a ton of traffic to your website in one language might not be popular in other languages. You need to explore which keywords your competitors in this particular targeted country are using and incorporate those same keywords to enrich your website content. You can use those keywords in your descriptions, blogs, and any other content on your site.

Hreflang implementation

Hreflang cross-references pages that have similar content but target different audiences help you rank higher on international markets. You can use the Hreflang Tags Generator tool to generate hreflang tags quickly and easily. 

The X Default Tag

When the location tag or languages do not match the one provided, then the X default tag acts as a default version of the site, which makes it easier for the visitors to view. 

Subdirectories 

A subdirectory offers a very easy structure that is easy to maintain and set up. These subdirectories to your websites are cost-effective and simple. It requires a website domain and your hosting platform.  Companies that want to serve across different countries and have consistency in communication should definitely opt for subdirectories for their websites.

Local Hostings

In order to rank higher in countries abroad, you need to ensure a good user experience. You need local hosting because the more distant your server is, the slower your web page will be.