Great question — and I like that you’re thinking strategically, not just “how to publish more.”
Making a journal international is mostly about credibility + visibility + diversity, not just language.

Here’s a simple, practical roadmap you can actually follow step-by-step:

🌍 1. Use English as the main language (or bilingual)

This is non-negotiable.

✅ Full English OR
✅ English + local language (titles/abstracts both)

Also:

professional language editing
native-proofreading
consistent academic style

👉 Poor English = instant rejection by international authors.

🧠 2. Build an international editorial board

This is HUGE.

Indexers look at this first.

Target:

at least 40–60% foreign members
10+ different countries
recognizable academics (Scopus/WoS profiles)

Tips:

invite people who already published in similar journals
offer “editorial board certificate + visibility”

👉 If 90% editors are from one country → journal looks local.

📚 3. Attract foreign authors

You need diversity in published papers.

Try to reach:

minimum 30–50% international authors

How:

conference partnerships
special issues with guest editors abroad
CFP posts in:
- ResearchGate
- LinkedIn groups
- mailing lists
- academic Facebook groups
- EasyChair/Conference alerts

🔍 4. Get indexed (visibility = international status)

Indexing makes you discoverable.

Start with:

Google Scholar
DOAJ
EBSCO / ProQuest
ROAD
OpenAlex

Then aim for:

Scopus
Web of Science (ESCI)

👉 Without indexing = invisible internationally.

🧾 5. Follow international publishing standards

Very important for trust.

Your journal must have:

✅ DOI for every article
✅ ORCID integration
✅ Crossref membership
✅ COPE ethics policy
✅ plagiarism check (Turnitin/iThenticate)
✅ clear peer review process
✅ publication schedule on time
✅ author guidelines in English
✅ transparent fees (if any)

🌐 6. Professional website

Your website is your “first impression.”

Must include:

clean English
fast loading
mobile friendly
full editorial board info (with affiliations + countries)
clear ethics policies
archive pages
DOI links
indexing badges

If it looks amateur → authors don’t trust it.

📈 7. Publish regularly & consistently

Indexers hate irregular journals.

Examples:

2 issues/year (minimum)
OR 4 issues/year

Never:
❌ skip issues
❌ delay publication

Consistency = credibility.

🤝 8. Collaborate internationally

Boost reputation faster:

Ideas:

special issues with foreign universities
international conference proceedings
guest editors from abroad
joint calls for papers

This makes your journal look global, not local.

🎯 Quick Checklist (printable mindset)

Ask yourself:

✔ Are most articles in English?
✔ Do we have foreign editors?
✔ Do we publish foreign authors?
✔ Are we indexed?
✔ Do we follow COPE/DOI standards?
✔ Does the website look professional?

If you answer “no” to 2+ → that’s your priority area.