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Essential SEO Tips for SaaS Companies targeting Sweden

In today’s competitive digital landscape, getting noticed requires more than a great product or service. You need a tailored SEO strategy that speaks to your audience in their language—literally and figuratively. As an SEO and localization expert specializing in Swedish markets, I help businesses cut through the noise and gain the visibility they deserve.

Here’s how you can unlock your company’s potential in Sweden with a few key SEO tips for the Swedish market.

Why the Swedish Market?

Sweden is a digital-first country with a tech-savvy population. According to Statista, Sweden ranks high in internet penetration, with nearly 96% of the population online. This makes it a fertile ground for SaaS companies looking to offer cloud-based solutions, apps, and software to a broad and engaged audience.

But here’s the challenge: Swedish consumers value native, culturally relevant content. They can tell the difference between content that has been directly translated and content that has been tailored for them. This is where localization and targeted SEO strategies come into play.

Key SEO Tips for the Swedish Market

1. Keyword Localization

One of the most common mistakes SaaS companies make is translating English keywords into Swedish without considering local search behavior. A direct translation might not be the phrase your target audience is searching for.

For example, while the term “cloud software” may be prevalent in English, Swedish users may search for “molntjänst.” It’s essential to use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to identify the actual terms Swedes are using to find similar services.

2. Optimize for Local Search Engines

Although Google dominates the search engine landscape, in Sweden, Bing and Yahoo also play a role. Make sure your website is optimized for these platforms as well by paying attention to meta tags, titles, and descriptions that perform well on all search engines.

3. Create High-Quality, Localized Content

Incorporating localized keywords is crucial, but it’s just the beginning. To rank well in Swedish search results, you need content that resonates with the Swedish audience. This means creating blog posts, white papers, and case studies that address local challenges and solutions. Your content should reflect the Swedish business landscape and culture to build trust with potential clients.

4. Don’t Neglect Technical SEO

Your website’s performance plays a significant role in your SEO success. Pages need to load quickly and run smoothly on mobile devices, as Sweden has a high rate of mobile internet use. Make sure your site’s backend is optimized for speed and performance, and use Google PageSpeed Insights to identify areas for improvement.

5. Incorporate International SEO Best Practices

If you’re running a global SaaS company, your SEO efforts should extend beyond Sweden. Implement hreflang tags to signal to Google which language and regional version of your content to display. This will help avoid duplicate content issues across multiple markets.

6. Leverage Swedish Social Media Channels

Social media is an important part of any SEO strategy. Platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook are widely used in Sweden, and they’re great channels for amplifying your content. Tailor your posts to the Swedish audience by using local language, addressing specific pain points, and tapping into current trends.

Why Partner with a Professional Swedish Translator?

Working with a professional translator who understands SEO can take your localization efforts to the next level. A native-speaking SEO translator ensures that your content is linguistically correct, and understands the nuances of keyword research, cultural preferences, and user intent in the Swedish market.

At Swedish Translation Services, I specialize in combining high-quality translations with SEO best practices to help companies succeed in international markets. Whether you need SaaS product descriptions, marketing materials, or in-depth blog content localized, I can provide a seamless experience that drives results.

Conclusion

Entering the Swedish market requires more than just translation—it requires a deep understanding of local search behaviors and digital preferences. By implementing these SEO tips for the Swedish market, you can boost your visibility, attract the right audience, and ultimately, grow your SaaS business in Sweden.

If you’re ready to unlock growth in the Swedish market, let’s discuss how I can help you create a tailored SEO plan that meets your goals.

Contact me today to learn more about how Swedish Translation Services can assist your business.

Localization

Tess

My Professional English to Swedish Translator Certifications

As an English-Swedish linguist with 20 years of experience, I’m committed to growing in my profession.

To that end, I’m always looking for opportunities to get certified in key areas and add value for my clients. While translator certifications vary in scope depending on the institution, they’re a great way for you to understand the depth and breadth of my skills.

Here I’ll go through some of my top translator certifications, so you can get a better sense of my professional English to Swedish expertise.

My English to Swedish Translator Certifications

A certified translator must pass a professional exam to demonstrate their language skills. While these certification tests vary by country and vertical, I’ve demonstrated professional competence in leading institutions in the U.S., U.K. and Sweden – see below!

1. ATA Certification for English to Swedish

Certification since: 2015

About the certification: I’ve been certified by ATA since 2015 in English to Swedish. The ATA (American Translators Association) certification demonstrates the highest standards of the translation profession in the U.S., including competence in a specific language combination and commitment to the profession and its ethical practice.

2. MITI Qualified Member Certification

Certification since: 2014

About the certification: In addition, I’m certified in English to Swedish by the U.K.’s premiere organization, the Institute of Translators and Interpreters (ITI). ITI provides qualified member certification to translators with a minimum of three years in their relevant field who pass a high-level assessment.

3. SEMRush Certification in Content Marketing and iSEO

Certification since: 2021

About the certification: In an effort to elevate my services with relevant digital marketing expertise, I’ve also completed two SEMRush courses in content marketing and iSEO. I’m now able to provide value-added services, including defining iSEO, localizing PPC-ads and translating a range of digital marketing materials into Swedish.

4. Swedish Copywriting Certification

Certification since: 2021

About the certification: Finally, great writing is at the core of any Swedish translations. To enhance my creative translation skills, I participated in a six-week copywriting course in Swedish and became certified in key concepts such as perfecting rhetoric and wordsmithing according to the type of material.

Hire Me for Your Next English-Swedish Project

Through my extensive experience and courses, I’ve become well-versed in industry-best translation practices, high-quality Swedish writing and SEO research. No matter your Swedish localization needs, I’m ready to get top outcomes for your business.

Check out successful case studies of projects I’ve done for recent clients and reach out to Swedish Translation Services to start discussing your needs!

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Localization

Tess

Localization Best Practices for the Swedish Market

Looking to launch your product in Sweden?

Before you try to win over Swedish customers, it’s essential for you to understand how Swedish localization is unique from other markets.

Compared to other regions in the world, Swedes are quite internet-savvy (with 95% regular internet usage) and have high expectations for user experience and brand transparency. Even the way they search and shop online is extremely specific, which means your brand must cover all your bases.

To successfully break into the Swedish market, here are eight best practices to craft digital-first and user-oriented English-Swedish localization. By following these steps, your company will have a better grasp on how to capture new Swedish customers.

8 Best Practices for English-Swedish Localization

1. Create an early, robust localization strategy

Your brand should plan ahead with a Swedish localization strategy for best results. So often companies leave localization as a last step for a product launch. Ideally, localization should be incorporated early into the content creation process, so that it can be completed in tandem with original language materials.

In addition, your strategy should include preparing key information for Swedish linguists, including a style guide, SEO checklist, localization workflow, etc.

2. Complete UX and SEO research for Sweden

Your team should also complete UX research for the Swedish users you’re targeting. Cultural differences have a huge impact on the way users browse and shop online. Don’t make assumptions! Instead, test often and iterate your product as needed.

In addition, a professional English-Swedish translator (like me!) can complete SEO research to align content with how users search for your products. Your Swedish SEO strategy should be created by native linguists who know how Swedes actually look up information online.

3. Make your strategy mobile-first

According to user trends, Swedes do the majority of their browsing and purchasing on mobile. For this reason, your localization strategy should be specifically tailored for mobile, so that Swedes have a seamless experience on their cell phones. For example, you’ll want to focus on how your product page displays on mobile and test it on the most common devices.

4. Be candid and informal with language

In general, Swedes aren’t fond of fluffy content. They prefer candid, informal language that gets to the point.

To that end, your English-Swedish linguist should use informal forms (such as “du”) and straightforward language. Avoiding flowery or formal language can go a long way toward building a productive relationship with Swedish customers.

5. Incorporate cultural values and visuals

What’s more, Swedes value transparency more than other regions. To cater to their cultural values, you’ll want to avoid exaggerated claims and/or products behind a paywall. Any click-bait headlines are also a no-go for Swedish customers.

Be cautious about the visuals you include, too. The icons, images, and colors you select should reflect Swedish cultural values, such as equality, sustainability, and “lagom” (not too much, not too little).

6. Check your formatting conventions

Next, you’ll want to take a careful look at your formatting for Swedish. A key element of localization is ensuring that formatting follows users’ expectations. For Swedish, this may include:

Naming conventions with proper Swedish letters (i.e. Björn not Bjorn)
Date and time conventions (24-hour clock, YYYY-MM-DD, etc.)
Telephone and address structure
Currency and number format

Think with Google has put together an extensive guide to Swedish formatting for localization, which you can check out for in-depth instructions.

7. Be careful about space planning

Keep in mind that Swedish typically takes up 10-15% less space compared to English. This means you should plan for your interfaces to have more white space than the English version. To get the optimal user experience, you may need to adjust sizes and layouts.

Additionally, Swedish words can sometimes run longer than English on average, meaning that you may need to modify lines so that longer words like “affärsförhandlingar” (business negotiations) look properly positioned on the screen.

8. Leverage stakeholder feedback

Finally, localization for the Swedish market should always go through rounds of feedback with real users and stakeholders. This will help you 100% guarantee that the webpage or product is in tip-top shape. Collect feedback, iterate features, and continue the cycle to achieve the best Swedish localization in the long term.

I Can Help With Your Next English-Swedish Localization Project

As a professional English-Swedish linguist with 18+ years of experience, I’m the perfect pick for your next localization project. I’m well-versed in Swedish culture, digital formats, SEO research, and more, and can achieve user-oriented localization for your Swedish product launch.

Learn more about my English-Swedish localization experience by checking out my client portfolio and case studies, and get in touch today!

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Tess

How My Transcreation Services Empower Swedish Digital Markets

Here are five ways I help create world-class results for Swedish digital markets.

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Tess

Fun Swedish Words Absent from the English Language

What English takes a sentence to say, other languages can manage in a word. Recently, I’ve seen several blog posts pointing out these gaps in the English lexicon. Famous examples include bokusetto, a Japanese term for the act of gazing vacantly into the distance, and backpfeifengesicht, a German word describing a face in need of a punch. Sadly, many these lists seem to be sleeping on the richness and diversity of the Swedish language. As someone who prides themselves on their English-to-Swedish translation skills, I’d be remiss if I didn’t stand up for my mother tongue and show off some of its more unique phrases.

17 Swedish Terms with No English Equivalent

Word	Definition	Example Uses in English
Fika	Near and dear to Swedes everywhere, this word is used to describe the action of “going for coffee.” Though people might think it’s easier to use the word coffee break, this phrase is a lot more culturally loaded than that—something those trying to translate from English to Swedish must be aware of. And, don’t try to tell Swedish people to use the term “elevenses” or “coffee” instead; they might throw their kanelbulle at you.	“It’s been ages since we talked! Let’s meet up Saturday for a fika.”
Hinna	This common Swedish word can be interpreted as “having the time to do something” or “being on time.” It’s sometimes used as a helping verb or a quick hand way to express doubt of on-time arrival. Like many Swedish words, this one hails from Old Norse.	“I can’t go to the moves tomorrow. I don’t hinna.”
Fulparkerare	Best translated as “ugly parker,” this phrase denotes someone who parks his or her car sloppily or selfishly. Many people use it for those who take up handicap spots or stray outside the lines.	“That is not a parking spot! What a “fulparkerare” he is.
Mysa	One of my favorite Swedish words, this verb embodies the act of relaxing and having a good time. Many Swedish families, looking to recharge after a long work week, schedule mys every Friday. This is so common that a separate term was created to describe it: “fredagsmys.”	“I am finally done with this Swedish translation, just in time for the weekend. Now I am just going to “mysa” in front of the fire, while it is snowing outside.
Farfar/Farmor/Morfar/Mormor	In Swedish, there are specific words for each of your grandparents. Note that “mor” means mother and “far” means father. So, a morfar is your mother’s dad, while a farfar is your father’s dad.	“My farfar was amazing! He fought in World War II. I’ve never met my morfar, though.”
Kilkompis/Tjejkompis	In America, you always have to clarify whether someone is a boyfriend or your friend that’s a boy. In Swedish, the latter is called a Kilkompis or Tjejkompis . Your paramour, meanwhile, is referred to as a “pojkvän” or “flickvän”.	“I went to the movies with Billy yesterday! And, no, it wasn’t a date. He’s just a killkompis.”
Sambo	If you live with your significant other but haven’t tied the knot, you can use the word “sambo” to describe them. In a country where this arrangement is common, this word was a lexiconic necessity.	“We’re moving in together tomorrow! It’ll be nice to go from girlfriend to sambo.”
Lagom	Remember Goldilocks and the Three Bears? This word is the equivalent of that story’s “just right.” As Swedes tend to live in a state of moderation, this phrase is often seen as the country’s unofficial motto.	“This apartment is just “lagom” for a student. Or, “Lagom” is best.”
Nomofob	Adapted from the much clunkier English phrase (“no mobile phone phobia), this is how Swedes describe a person who is hopelessly addicted to their cell phone.	“I can never let my phone sit and charge! I’m a total nomofob.”
Ogooglebar	A more recent addition to the Swedish language, this adjective is best translated as “ungoogleable.” It’s often used to refer to someone with little to no online history.	I met this cute guy at the store, but I’m scared to meet him. He’s totally ogooglebar!
Orka	Similar in use to hinna, this verb is best understood as “having the energy to do something.” Though it may sound like it, it has nothing to do with The Lord of the Rings. Some people (like moody teenagers) use the term in a sarcastic sense.	“Do you orka to pick up the dry cleaning after work?”
Duktig	Anyone trying to learn Swedish will probably have this word thrown at them. Though hard to describe succinctly in English, it’s a term that combines working well with working hard. It’s often used condescendingly.	“The speed of your Swedish translation services astounds me. You must be very duktig!”
Solkatt	An amalgamation of the Swedish word for “cat” and “sun,” this term is used to describe the blinding light that glints off small pieces of glass.	“That’s where that reflection was coming from! It was just a “solkatt” from your watch.”
Mångata	These is is one of my favorite words. It refers to the road-like reflection of the moon in the water, literally “a moon street”.	“Look at that beautiful “mångata” across the lake tonight.”

*For a full list of Swedish words with no English counterpart, check out this thread from Eunoia.

Looking for Someone to Translate Your English Marketing for the Swedish Market? Even If You Don’t Know the “Lagom” Words?

As our mini vocab lesson shows, English and Swedish are distinct languages shaped by culture and history. This can make it hard for US-based businesses to hit it big in the Nordic markets without the use of a English-to-Swedish specialist translator and transcreator. Transcreation can be the difference between a text that misses its mark and one that makes customers act.. Because, while 90% of Swedes speak fluent English, most of them prefer content to be delivered in their mother tongue. While the languages are closely related, it takes a true maestro to bridge the differences between them.

If you need a marketing expert to help you find the right words for your online content or ad, contact me to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

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Tess

Everything You Need to Know About Swedish Content Marketing and Localization

Let’s look at what localization is and how you can put it to work in your English to Swedish content marketing.

In a global society where consumers can conduct business with companies halfway around the world in seconds, it’s common to forget that individual markets still matter.

Studies show that geo-targeted posts on social media earn six times the engagement as those that offer “global appeal”. What’s more, website visitors are likely to stay on a website longer if the content is in their native language.

Localization is becoming one of the largest missed opportunities to grow your global markets, and it’s a factor that businesses won’t be able to afford to overlook much longer.

What Is Localization?

Briefly, localization refers to adapting content for a specific market or country. More than just translating a website into a person’s native language, localization also combines things like traditions, values, culture, and imagery to create a truly native look and feel.

Pursuing any type of cross-border content strategy, whether you’re venturing into one country or 10 countries, requires a local-first mentality to ensure you’re connecting with your audience the way they’re receptive to.

Best Practices for Content Marketing: English to Swedish

If you’re pursuing a content marketing strategy across borders, put these best practices to use to maximize your ROI:

1. Hire a Professional English to Swedish Translator

Turning English content into Swedish is rarely a word for word translation. Hiring a professional translator who is skilled in both languages and can apply cultural aspects to the content will make your content effective and impactful.

2. Diversify Your Messaging

The content you create for your English audience won’t necessarily have the same effect on your Swedish customers. For example, if you’re telling Americans how it’s raining cats and dogs, telling your Swedish buyers “det regnar katter och hundar” won’t do you any favors. In fact, poor translations like this will only make your business appear ill-suited for their market.

Instead, you can diversify your messaging and tailor it to local interests. Not every audience needs to receive the same campaign.

3. Reflect the Culture and Imagery

Coca-Cola earned the attention of Chinese buyers by putting Chinese celebrities on its cans. It was a simple yet powerful move that helped to localize the company to the intended market.

Using cultural icons, history, imagery, or other notable factors can help you to blend seamlessly with the audience and make you a part of their society.

Get Professional English to Swedish Content Marketing

The secret’s out: professional English to Swedish translation gives your content marketing the best chance to appeal to your international audience.

To find out more about translation services, contact Tess to schedule a free consultation.

Translation

Tess

Swedish Localization and Website Translation: 4 Ways Your Business Can Benefit

If you want to tap into the Swedish business market, you’ll first need to earn their attention.

Breaking into new markets isn’t just about having in-demand products or filling a need. Rather, much of your success will how you adapt your company to their market.

Despite over a third of internet users being non-native English speakers, studies from Forrester Research show that website visitors will stay on a website longer if the content is in their native language.

Localization is the practice of making your website fit within a unique market. The language of the content, the images of the people, pop culture references, or common symbols can all provide the sense that your website was made with an audience in mind.

Take a look at four reasons your business should consider Swedish localization for your content marketing:

1. Localization Increases Sales

User language preferences in Europe have been studied at length. The resulting figures indicate that 90% of users will opt for a website version in their native tongue, regardless of whether or not they speak English.

Even more telling? A whopping 42% of users say they will NEVER do business with a company if the content isn’t in their native language.

2. Localization Offers a Competitive Advantage

Despite the benefits of Swedish localization, your competitors may be failing to capitalize on them. When you employ content localization, it gives you an obvious advantage over businesses trying to compete for your market but have yet to adapt their content.

And if your competitors DO have a localized website, they’re likely the ones to earn the business if you do not. You can upgrade your own content marketing to encroach on their market share.

3. Localization Offers a Native Appeal

Some companies are so thorough and effective at localization that it’s something of a shock to find out they’re not actually based in your home country.

The more you can blend with your target country’s culture, from imagery to linguistics to the arts and more, the better chance you stand of seeming like you belong in their business world.

4. Localization Strengthens Your Global Presence

Even if you’re only doing business in the U.S. and Sweden, localization can put you in a position of global prominence. It’s not easy taking a business across borders, but investing in localization shows that you have the business acumen to adapt to a new market.

And when you can do it once, you can do it again.
What To Do Next
Using professional translation services can help ensure that your content is properly adapted to the Swedish market. Rather than approaching translation word for word, professional Swedish translators take into account the way people talk and integrate language with culture to produce the desired results.

To learn more about localizing your content marketing for your Swedish customers, contact Tess to schedule a free consultation.

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BusinessLocalizationSwedenSwedish language

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A U.S. Guide to Swedish Business Culture

The old idiom “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” doesn’t just apply to Italy – it’s imperative when expanding your business in Sweden, too! Anytime your business wishes to serve another country, you’ll need to learn the way they do business and adapt your practices to meet their needs.

Just as you wouldn’t extend your hand to a Japanese CEO or use your left hand in Indonesia, you must also understand what’s acceptable and what’s forbidden when discussing and conducting business in Sweden.

One of the most critical elements when growing your footprint in Sweden is to master the way they speak. Using the correct terminology and adapting to the local vernacular will be party responsible for your success or failure.

Let’s look at some core business concepts in Sweden and how you can prepare your business for international success.

Core Business Concepts in Sweden

A country’s business is often based on the foundation of the country’s values. In Sweden, those values embody all aspects of modesty, equality, and respect for human rights. They’re an inclusive society that makes distinctions based on nationality rather than race or appearances. Socialist ideals are in abundance, along with an extensive welfare system.

In business, respect and consideration go a long way when arranging meetings, discussing topics, or making negotiations.

Most notable are the following:

It’s customary to arrange meetings two weeks in advance.
Business cards are shared at the beginning of meetings.
Meetings are often informal enough to use a first-name basis.
Small talk is virtually non-existent.
Decisions aren’t often made during first meetings.
Decisions usually require group consensus.
Peak holiday periods are February through March and June through August.
Refreshment breaks, called fika, are often used for informal meetings.

Understandably, it’s just as important to understand how to conduct business in Sweden as it is to talk about business in Sweden. American customs don’t directly translate into the Swedish business culture, and believing otherwise could be just as damaging as a linguistic mistranslation.

Swedish Translation Services Are Business Must-Haves

If you’re targeting the Swedish market, Investing in Swedish translation services is non-negotiable. Proper translations ensure you’re not only using the right vernacular, but also following proper business policy and practices for the Swedish business culture.

A professional translator helps you bridge this wide (and often scary) gap between American and Swedish business ideologies. Translators shift away from word-to-word translation in favor of localized linguistics that match the appropriate business cases.

To find out more about Swedish translation services and how translators can help you navigate the specifics of international business, contact Tess for a free consultation.

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