Leveled or Levelled?: Optimizing Your Website With Canadian Spelling

Are you puzzled about whether to use "leveled" or "levelled" when writing content for your Canadian audience?

When it comes to optimizing your website for Canadian audiences, every detail matters—including spelling.

The slight difference in spelling between the Canadian, American, and British versions can make a difference in how effective your website will be in the Canadian market.

This blog will guide you through spelling Canadian English, provide you with some tips on the importance of Canadian spelling in website optimization, and give you some suggestions on keeping consistent Canadian spelling across your digital content.

Understanding Canadian English and its History

Canadian English represents a unique blend of linguistic influences primarily shaped by both British and American language traditions. The history of Canadian spelling traces back to the country's colonial roots and its geographical proximity to the United States.

Canadians tend to use British spellings for many words, but also incorporate American spelling in some cases. This doesn't just apply to spelling, vocabulary and grammar are also affected.

Early efforts of Noah Webster to standardize American spelling had a minor impact on Canadian English. As a result, Canadians often choose between British and American variants, depending on the context. This flexibility in language use can sometimes determine the level of formality in business or academic settings.

Canadian Spelling Usage - Is it Leveled or Levelled?

The word "levelled" is one example where Canadians usually stick to the British spelling, with two L's. This is especially true for verbs and their derivatives. However, some Canadians may use "leveled" in certain contexts, particularly in more informal writing or when influenced by American media.

To ensure proper usage, you can look up example usage in Canadian-specific resources. Many online resources are available to help people navigate these linguistic differences.

By understanding these differences, you'll be better equipped to engage with Canadian English in your daily life, whether in reading, writing, or conversation.

Examples of Words in Canadian English vs American

Canadian English and American English share many similarities, but there are examples of words that differ between the two. This can be seen in words like "centre" and "theatre" which would be “center” “and theater” in American. Another word that varies is "colour" in Canada versus "color" in the US.

The link between Canadian English and British English remains stronger in some cases. Words like "cheque" and "programme" are common in Canada, while Americans use "check" and "program." In terms of pronunciation, Canadians probably sound more similar to Americans than to Brits, but regional variations exist within each country.

To determine proper Canadian spelling, Here are some more examples of words in Canadian and American Spelling:

Canadian vs American Spelling

• Honour / Honor
• Favour / Favor
• Behaviour / Behavior
• Metre / Meter
• Litre / Liter
• Levelled / Leveled
• Travelled / Traveled
• Cancelled / Canceled

Examples in Context:

Daily usage examples show how these spellings appear in real content:

• "The centre of the building needs to be levelled."
  
• "Please ensure to catalogue these items properly."
  
• "The programme will engage new users."
  

When in doubt about Canadian spelling, it's best to consult a Canadian dictionary or style guide. These resources can highlight the preferred spellings for various words and phrases. The key is to be consistent within a given piece of writing, whether it's a book, article, or email.

Why Does Canadian Spelling Matter for Your Website?

Canadian spelling matters for your website because it can mean the difference between connecting with your audience or alienating them. While Canadian English shares similarities with both UK and American English, it has its own unique characteristics.

Some nouns might be spelled differently depending on the region. This small detail can improve user experience, showing that you understand their preferences and language differences.

It can also align with SEO strategies, which can lead to higher engagement and a stronger connection with your audience.

So, when you create content for your web page, use your imagination to meet the needs of your Canadian readers. Remember, a series of small differences can add up to make a big impact on how your brand is perceived. The number of visitors who appreciate your attention to detail might surprise you!

Here's how it can help your website:

Improve User Trust and Engagement

Correct and localized spelling enhances the professionalism of your website and can significantly boost user trust. When visitors see content that respects and reflects their local standards, they're more likely to feel valued and understood.

Strengthen Market Credibility

By adhering to Canadian spelling norms, your website asserts its credibility in the Canadian market. This adherence to local norms can be especially important in professional contexts, such as legal, educational, or governmental websites, where credibility is paramount. It signals to Canadian users that the website is reliable.

Boost SEO Performance

Search engines like Google often prioritize content that aligns with the searcher's locale, including spelling conventions. By using Canadian spelling, your website could rank better in local search results, driving more traffic.

Surprise User Response

Many businesses underestimate the impact of localizing content to specific regions. However, users often appreciate and respond positively to content that mirrors their linguistic habits and preferences. This attention to detail can lead to increased loyalty and a more substantial user base, as the audience may feel more inclined to promote and support a brand that recognizes their unique language characteristics.

The SEO Benefits of Using Canadian Spelling

When optimizing your website for Canadian audiences, using Canadian spelling can provide significant SEO benefits.

This approach can help your content rank higher in Canadian search results, as search engines recognize the regional preference for these spellings. Additionally, it can add authenticity to your name or brand, building trust with your Canadian audience.

Moreover, it can help establish your site as a Canadian authority in your niche, potentially attracting more backlinks from other Canadian websites and further boosting your SEO efforts.

Using Canadian spelling can lead to higher search rankings through:

• Better Geographical Targeting: Utilizing Canadian spelling allows search engines to more accurately identify and categorize your content as relevant to Canadian users. This geographical specificity can increase your visibility in region-targeted search queries, making it easier for you to reach your desired audience within Canada.
• Improved Local Search Relevance: Aligning your content with your target audience enhances its relevance to local search terms. Canadian searchers are more likely to use their native spelling in queries, and matching this preference helps your content resonate more effectively with their searches.
• Enhanced User Engagement Metrics Canadian users are more likely to stay longer on a site that uses familiar spelling, reducing bounce rates and improving other engagement metrics like page views per session and time spent on site. These positive user interactions signal to search engines that your website offers valuable content, which can boost your rankings.

Pros:

• Better connection with Canadian audiences
  
• Improved local SEO performance
  
• Higher trust from Canada-based users
  

Cons:

• May limit demographic
  
• May require complex content management
  
• Additional resource requirements
  

Using Canadian Spelling on Your Website's Blog Posts and Content

When creating content for a Canadian audience, it's important to use Canadian spelling consistently throughout your website's blog posts and other materials. This attention to detail demonstrates and enhances your credibility as a local or national brand.

To effectively implement Canadian spelling in your blog and website content:

Create Style Guides for Writers

Develop comprehensive style guides that include Canadian spelling conventions to ensure all content creators are on the same page. Providing clear guidelines helps maintain a consistent voice and reduces the need for extensive revisions.

Use Canadian-Specific Spell Checkers

Implement spell-checking tools that are configured for Canadian English to automatically correct and suggest Canadian spellings during the writing process.

Tools like Microsoft Word or Google Docs can be set to Canadian English, ensuring that content is automatically checked and corrected according to Canadian standards.

Maintain Consistency Across All Platforms

Ensure that Canadian spelling is consistently used across all your digital platforms, including your main website, and any other online presences.

Consistency not only improves SEO but also strengthens your brand's identity and reliability among Canadian audiences.

Apply Rules to All Content Types

Extend Canadian spelling rules to every type of content your brand produces:

• Email Communications: Ensure that all formal and informal communications with customers, stakeholders, and internal teams adhere to the spelling conventions.
  
• Post Content: Blog posts, articles, and social media updates should all use Canadian spelling to maintain a cohesive brand voice.
  
• Product Descriptions: Accurately reflect Canadian spelling in product names, descriptions, and promotional materials to align with local search preferences and enhance SEO.
  
• Marketing Materials: From digital ads to print brochures, ensuring consistent use of Canadian spelling can enhance the professional appearance and effectiveness of your marketing efforts.

Tools and Resources for Canadian Spelling

Resources and spell-check softwares with Canadian language options that can be integrated into word processors and browsers are widely available online.

Here are several online resources and programs that can help you learn and maintain proper Canadian spelling:

• Canadian Oxford Dictionary: This is a key reference for Canadian English spelling and usage. It provides authoritative spellings and definitions of Canadian words, as well as guidance on distinct Canadian terms. It’s considered the gold standard for Canadian spelling.
  
• Sapling Spell Checker: Sapling offers a browser extension that integrates with web-based writing platforms, emails, and social media, providing spell-checking tailored to Canadian English. It also includes grammar suggestions and predictive text capabilities, which points to enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of your writing.
  
• The Canadian Style Guide: Published by Dundurn Press Limited and the government, this guide outlines the conventions of written communication in Canadian English. It includes a section on spelling rules specific to Canadian usage, covering everything from the use of '-our' vs. '-or' endings to preferred Canadian spellings of words with multiple acceptable variants.
  
• Grammarly: Grammarly is a popular digital writing tool that offers Canadian English settings. While it’s known for its grammar and style suggestions, Grammarly can also correct spelling to fit Canadian conventions.
  

Make Your Website Accessible to US and Canada Audience

To effectively reach and engage audiences in both the US and Canada, it's important to optimize your website for these distinct markets. Here are some of the best practices for managing multi-region content to ensure your site is accessible and relevant to users in both countries:

Implement proper HTML language tags

Use hreflang tags to specify the language and geographical targeting of a webpage. This helps search engines serve the correct language or regional URL in search results depending on the user's location.

Use region-specific URLs

Employ country code top-level domains (ccTLDs), subdomains, or subdirectories with gTLDs to differentiate content by region (e.g., .ca for Canada, /us/ for the United States). This structure helps users and search engines identify region-specific content.

Monitor engagement metrics by region

Regularly track and analyze region-specific engagement metrics like page views, bounce rates, and conversion rates to gauge content performance and identify areas for improvement.

The key is to maintain consistency within each language variant while preserving your brand's voice across all markets.

Whether you're focused on content creation, blog posts, or marketing materials, maintaining proper Canadian spelling will help you build trust and credibility with your Canadian audience while achieving your business objectives in this important market.

Conclusion

Using the proper Canadian spelling, for example, "levelled" instead of "leveled," can be helpful, but it is more than just a matter of preference, it's a strategic play that can really help optimize your website.

Showing that you pay close attention to regional spelling conventions also enhances trust, credibility, and engagement with your audience. This can also improve your local SEO performance, boosting visibility in Canadian search results.

Ensure that the contents of your website are coherent regarding Canadian spelling so it can reach out to its target population, and establish the credibility of your brand in the region.

Again, the small differences can really become important, and optimizing with Canadian English can help you gain competitive advantage while building meaningful connections and driving long-term success in the Canadian market.

FAQ

Why should I use Canadian spelling on my website?

Using Canadian spelling helps build trust and credibility with Canadian audiences, aligns with local preferences, and can improve SEO performance within Canada.

Is there a difference between “leveled” and “levelled” in Canadian English?

Yes, Canadians typically use “levelled” with two L’s, following British spelling conventions. “Leveled” with one L is more common in American English.

Will using Canadian spelling impact my website’s SEO?

Yes, using Canadian spelling can improve your website’s relevance in Canadian search results, helping it rank higher and attract more Canadian visitors.

How can I ensure consistency in Canadian spelling across my content?

Consider using Canadian-specific spell-checkers or style guides, and configure tools like Grammarly or Google Docs to Canadian English settings.

Can I use both Canadian and American spellings on my website?

It’s best to stay consistent with one variant for a professional and cohesive brand voice. If targeting both US and Canadian audiences, consider separate pages or subdomains for each region.