Be found where your customers are searching
SEO Translations
Translate and localise your website for the target market to make it visible in Google and AI searches.
What is an SEO Translation?
Rather than simply converting the source text word for word, an SEO translation preserves and actively builds the discoverability of web content in the target market.
It combines three levels: a professionally accurate translation of the content; research into the terms and search intent actually used in the target language; and optimisation of titles, metadata, headings and page structure. This ensures that both search engines and readers in the target country can find the page.
It is distinct from pure specialised translation (content accurate, but not search-optimised) and from transcreationwhich focuses on emotional brand impact.
Why a 1:1 translation is not enough for your rankings
A website that ranks well in your home market is not automatically visible abroad. Search behaviour, word choice and competition differ from one language to another. A 1:1 translation merely carries over the content, giving away visibility. To be found in a new market, you have to use the terms that people actually search for there.
SEO translation combines the linguistic quality of a specialised translation with the keyword reality of the target market. We research how your target audience searches locally, adapt your content accordingly, and carefully maintain the technical SEO layer, including page titles, meta descriptions, URLs, alt texts and hreflang markup.
The result is content that is read, understood, and found by both people and search engines in the respective language.
Website localisation involves more than translation.
Ideally, having a website translated means having it localised. Localisation involves more than just translation. It involves adapting content, search terms and technical details to the target market, ensuring that your site is not only understood, but also found.
When we localise your website, we do far more than just transfer the text. We research local search terms, adapt the tone and examples used, and account for differences in units of measurement, date and currency formats. We also maintain the technical layer — such as hreflang, URLs, and metadata — on a language-specific basis. This transforms a translated website into a standalone offering that is optimised for the target market.
Translating a website simply brings the content into a new language, whereas localising it brings it into a new market.
Three value promises
Local keyword strategy
Keywords are not translated word-for-word. They are researched for each target market based on search volume, relevance and semantic fit. This enables you to claim the terms that generate actual search queries in that language.
Structure-preserving integration
We deliver in the formats your systems work with (XLIFF, PO, XML, HTML) while maintaining hreflang, URL structure and the meta layer correctly. Your page structure remains intact and every language version is clearly marked up.
Consistency through TM and terminology
A glossary and the translation memory ensure consistent keywords and brand language across all languages, pages and future updates.
What defines an SEO translation?
Unique content
Standalone content per market instead of literal duplicates. This avoids duplicate content and creates real added value.
Local keywords
Terms based on real search behaviour in the target country, not taken from the dictionary.
Structure and readability
Meaningful headings, clear structure and good readability for readers and search engines.
Technical SEO layer
Page titles, meta descriptions, slugs, alt texts and hreflang are all set correctly for each language.
The COMLOGOS process
Briefing and target market analysis
Clarify goals, markets, existing content and the CMS.
Localised keyword research
Research and prioritise search terms for each target market.
SEO translations and optimisation
Specialised translation with targeted keyword placement, clear structure and carefully maintained meta layer.
Quality check according to ISO 17100
Revision under the four-eyes principle, terminology and consistency checks.
Delivery and support
Import-ready files; monitoring, A/B testing, and ongoing maintenance available on request.
Visibility in AI search
Visibility is increasingly achieved not just in the classic results list, but also in AI-generated answers, such as Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT and Perplexity. These systems draw on content that is clearly structured, unambiguously worded and reliable in terms of its topic. For multilingual websites, this means that, in every target market, it's not just about achieving a high ranking, but also about being cited in AI-generated answers.
We adapt your translated content to provide clear answers for generative search systems: unambiguous terminology for each language, precise answers to questions, and clean technical markup. While there's no guarantee of placement in AI search, there is a solid foundation for being picked up.
Translation without breaking the structure
Especially for websites, it is not only the text itself that matters, but also its position in the code. We export your content, segmented with exact location references, directly from the source code and only translate the content within our secure systems. We use translation memory and terminology, and where useful, controlled AI with post-editing according to ISO 18587. We then feed the reviewed target text back into exactly the same place.
The result: Layout, markup and page structure remain untouched, no text element is lost, and the workflow can be reproduced reliably with every update. We work with all standard web formats: XLIFF, PO, XML and HTML.
When should you choose SEO translation and when should you choose another service?
Suitable for SEO translation
- Website, shop and landing page content that should rank organically in the target market.
- texts for which success is determined by keyword and search intent research in the target language
- content with metadata, heading structure and internal links that also need to be translated and adapted.
- visibility that should be maximised both organically and in AI searches
Better choose a different service
- choose Marketing & Transcreation if brand impact, emotion and creative campaign copy are the priority. View all about transcreation
- select AI-assisted translation with post-editing if you need to translate large volumes of informative text quickly and consistently. View all about AI-assisted translations
- choose technical translation if the text is documentation with no search engine goal. View all about technical translations
Not sure what you need? We'll assess your content and recommend the right approach.
Languages
We provide SEO translations in more than 40 languages, focusing on:
We take language-specific particulars into account individually, from spelling conventions to local search behaviour.
Four pillars of trust
ISO-certified processes
Translation in accordance with ISO 17100, post-editing in accordance with ISO 18587, quality management in accordance with ISO 9001.
Specialised translators with SEO expertise
Native-speaker linguists with a deep understanding of search behaviour and search engines in each market.
Structured QA and terminology
Four-eyes principle, documented checking, glossary and translation memory.
Technical web expertise
Experience with WPML, Polylang, Elementor, Gutenberg, Yoast and hreflang. We do not just deliver a text. We integrate it.
Goes well with
Marketing & Transcreation
When it's about more than visibility — when tone and brand impact matter.
AI-assisted Translations
When volume and deadlines are the priority.
Technical Translations
The specialist text foundation behind every SEO optimisation.
Language Technology
Translation memory systems and a terminology database as proof of consistency.
Industries we provide translations for
A selection of the industries we specialise in.
Mechanical Engineering
Technical content and product pages that are found by the target market, with locally researched keywords.
Learn more
Electrical Engineering & Digital Industry
Multilingual web and product content that is cleanly structured and marked up in a way that is search engine friendly.
Learn more
Control Cabinet Manufacturing & Control Systems Technology
Specialist terms and product texts that rank in every language version rather than just being translated.
Learn moreKnowledge & Resources
SEO Translations: How to make your website internationally visible
Why a 1:1 translation is not enough for rankings and which success factors really matter.
Blog · 28.08.2025Transcreation — fine-tuning for impactful texts
When a translation needs to become creative brand language.
Blog · 21.08.2025AI-assisted translations in practice: Human vs machine
Where AI tools stand today and where humans still decide.
Blog · 13.12.2024Frequently asked questions about SEO translations
What is an SEO Translation?
Unlike a standard translation, an SEO translation takes into account the target market's search terms and habits. This ensures that your content is discoverable in foreign-language search engines, rather than merely being correctly translated.
Why are SEO translations important for international markets?
Because search behaviour, word choice and competition can differ significantly by country and language. Content that is only literally translated is often found less easily in the target market. Targeted optimisation increases visibility and reach in the places where your customers actually search.
How does an SEO translation differ from a standard translation?
For an SEO translation, we research keywords locally, semantically adapt texts, and optimize structural elements such as headings, page titles, and meta descriptions for search engines. A classic specialised translation conveys the content accurately, but does not optimise it for discoverability.
Who carries out the SEO translations at COMLOGOS?
Native-speaker specialised translators with solid SEO knowledge. On request, they can also handle keyword research and evaluation for your target markets.
Can COMLOGOS also optimise existing content for SEO?
Yes, depending on the starting point and strategy, we can either optimise existing texts for SEO or fully re-localise them.
How are hreflang and multilingual URLs handled correctly?
We mark up every language version with the correct hreflang tags and ensure a clean, language-specific URL structure. This enables Google to recognise which version is intended for which market, avoiding duplicate content issues and improving indexing.
Do you integrate directly with WordPress/WPML?
Yes. We deliver import-ready formats (XLIFF, PO and XML) and can integrate directly into your WPML or Polylang structure on request, including metadata, slugs and alt texts. We can also handle ongoing multilingual content maintenance if needed.
How do you ensure consistent keywords across all language versions?
A glossary and the translation memory ensure consistency. Once keyword translations have been defined, they are used consistently, and for updates we only translate the new content.
How much does it cost to have a website translated?
The cost depends on the scope of the project, the language pairs used, the subject area and the reusability of the translation memory. For recurring content, costs decrease over time because text that has already been reviewed isn't translated again. To provide a solid estimate, we will prepare a specific quote for you.
Do I need a translation or localisation for my website?
Translation brings content into a new language, while localisation also adapts it for the target market, for example by adapting search terms, tone, formats and the technical SEO layer. Once visibility and conversions in the target market become important, localisation is the right approach.
Can I have my website translated automatically?
Automatic translation via browser or plugin tools delivers a quick rough draft, but the content is rarely search-optimised or error-free, and it can create duplicate content. For reliable results, we combine AI with professional post-editing in accordance with ISO 18587 where appropriate.
What our customers say
'Understood worldwide thanks to COMLOGOS. We are very satisfied with the speed, reliability and the quality of the translations. Reliability in meeting deadlines and open, friendly communication make collaborating with COMLOGOS simple.'Nill + Ritz CNC-Technik GmbHTechnische Redaktion
'For the translation of technical specialist texts, COMLOGOS has been our reliable partner for years. Working with COMLOGOS is always straightforward and fast, whatever the language, and the quality of the translation is always the highest.'ek roboticsTechnische Dokumentation
'We are a global manufacturer of laser machines for laser welding, laser cutting and laser hardening, and we have been working with COMLOGOS for many years on the translation of our operating instructions. We are very satisfied with the collaboration.'ALPHA LASER GmbHTechnische Dokumentation
Let's make your website visible in every target market
Send us your website or a few sample contents and you will receive a concrete assessment of keyword strategy, technical integration and effort. Confidential and without obligation.
ISO 17100 · ISO 18587 · ISO 9001 · LICS · four-eyes principle
