Is it harmful to SEO if I duplicate my English website and translate it into French on a new domain? I only plan to translate 15 out of 75 pages and leave the rest in English. My website is on Squarespace and using language-switching widgets like Weglot isn't ideal. Would this impact my ranking or the originality of my content? Is there a better solution? Thanks!
It’s possible that creating a separate French website on a new domain could negatively impact your SEO. While translating some pages can be beneficial for reaching a French audience, duplicating your entire website on a new domain could lead to issues with duplicate content. Search engines can penalize websites for having the same content on multiple domains, even if it’s translated. This is because they see it as an attempt to manipulate search results.
While you’re using Squarespace and language-switching widgets like Weglot aren’t ideal, they are a far better solution than creating a separate website. These widgets allow you to translate your content without creating duplicate content. They also enable you to target specific languages and regions, improving your chances of ranking higher in search results for those locations.
There are other ways to improve your SEO for a French audience without creating a separate website, including:
- Using hreflang tags: These tags tell search engines which language version of a page is intended for which region.
- Targeting keywords in French: Ensure your French content uses relevant keywords to help search engines understand its language and relevance.
- Building backlinks from French websites: Backlinks from reputable websites in your target language can improve your website’s authority and visibility in French search results.
Ultimately, the best solution depends on your specific needs and resources. Consider carefully the potential benefits and drawbacks of each option before making a decision.