For companies that want to be truly global, having their website in multiple languages is not enough. Optimizing the website for different geographies and languages is also very important, this is what we call “International SEO”. International SEO is defined as the process of optimizing a website so that search engines can identify the countries you are targeting. It also allows for ranking of your site for a specific country based on keywords in different languages. Jessica Rathke, Chapter Manager of Women in Localization UK, and a veteran of the localization industry, is organizing an event at Expedia in London focused on International SEO. The event will take place at the end of June, so stay tuned to learn more about Jessica, International SEO and the UK Chapter of Women in Localization.
What is your name and what do you do?
I am Jessica Rathke, owner of L10N Sales & Marketing. I provide sales consulting and training services to global LSPs.
Where do you live?
London, England.
How many countries have you lived in?
I have lived in 5 different countries.
What is your global footprint? This is our way of measuring how global our group of women is. so, you can tell us in how many countries you have lived, you have visited or you have travel to.
I have visited 33 countries
What did you study?
I studied Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs, German, and Business Administration
What do you like about your job?
I have provided sales training & consulting services to translation industry professionals in 47 countries thus far. I can travel to just about any country and know someone.
What surprises you in the world of localization?
How little is known about the services we provide outside the industry itself.
How did you get involved in WL?
I attended a WIL event at LocWorld in San Jose several years ago and then I was asked to moderate the first WIL UK event.
What is your role in WL?
I am the UK chapter manager
In which direction would you like WL to develop in the future?
I would like to see more coordination across the various groups. I already see this happening. We can all learn from one another and get great ideas to implement in our home countries.
Are you planning a WL event? If so, please tell us about your event and you can add a registration link if you want or a FB page link to promote your event.
We are currently planning an event for 29th June in London. It will be hosted by Expedia and the topic is International SEO. Details are forthcoming.