Content revised 21 October 2026.
A global website needs a maintenance plan as well as translated pages. Define market responsibilities before launching versions that the business cannot keep accurate.
Scope one market at a time
Confirm demand, fulfilment, payment, language and support requirements. Research actual customer questions with qualified local input. Remove old unsourced internet-population percentages from the business case instead of presenting them as current evidence.
Map people and pages
Assign translation approval, technical implementation and changing commercial details. Use a page mapping for equivalent language or regional versions. Keep the visitor’s navigation and enquiry route included in the plan.
Check technical consistency
Review direct URL access, appropriate canonicals and hreflang where it applies. A new locale should not inherit an unrelated page’s claims or be forced on visitors through an unavoidable location redirect.
Review the rollout
Use region or language evidence alongside verified enquiries and support capacity. Expand when the business can service the audience. International SEO is an operational commitment rather than a bulk translation target.
Official guidance: Google localised page guidance.