How to Add Another Language to Your Shopify Store: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Importance of Language Localization for Shopify Stores
3. Methods for Adding Languages to Your Shopify Store
4. Best Practices for Language Localization
5. Conclusion

Introduction

Think about this: global e-commerce sales are projected to surpass $6 trillion by 2024. With so much potential revenue waiting to be tapped into, it's easy to see why many Shopify merchants are exploring international markets. One critical aspect of selling globally is ensuring your store is accessible to non-English speaking customers. If potential buyers can't navigate your site in their native language, they might abandon their shopping cart and move on—perhaps to your competitors.

A significant portion of online searches is conducted in languages other than English; in fact, only about 25% of internet users communicate in English. This reality emphasizes the necessity of language localization for expanding your e-commerce presence. As Shopify merchants, we must strive to create inclusive shopping experiences that cater to diverse audiences. By adding another language to our Shopify store, we can significantly increase our chances of conversion and user engagement.

In this blog post, we will explore various methods to effectively add another language to your Shopify store. We'll discuss the implications of language translation, best practices, and tools that can help facilitate the process. Not only will we cover the built-in Shopify features, but we will also showcase the value of user-friendly apps that integrate seamlessly into our operations.

We at Tevello believe that fostering connections with our audience is paramount, and providing accessible content is at the forefront of this mission. As we delve into this comprehensive guide, let's consider how adding another language fits into your business goals. Are you ready to expand your reach and create a more personalized shopping experience for your customers? With Tevello's all-in-one solutions, we can help you navigate this journey with ease.

The Importance of Language Localization for Shopify Stores

Why Localizing Your Store Matters

Localizing your store goes beyond mere translation. It includes adapting your content to resonate with the target audience’s culture, values, and language nuances. As we discussed, research shows that over 50% of consumers are willing to pay more for products if they have the information presented in their native language. Furthermore, it can lead to a noticeable increase in conversion rates—brands that translate their storefronts can see an average uplift of 13%.

In short, having a multilingual store can help:

• Broaden Your Audience: Reach new customers who speak different languages.
• Boost Sales: Facilitate informed purchase decisions by providing access to information in familiar terms.
• Enhance User Experience: Improve navigation and overall satisfaction.
• Build Trust: Show that you value your customers' culture and preferences.

SEO Benefits of Adding Another Language

Adding languages to your Shopify store also provides significant SEO advantages. When search engines crawl your store, they recognize that it caters to various linguistic demographics, making it more likely to appear in localized search queries. Employing hreflang tags through proper translation ensures that search engines direct users to the appropriate language version of your site.

To better optimize your multilingual store, consider leveraging Tevello’s features that include multilingual SEO settings. By doing so, we can have greater visibility in international search engines, attracting diverse clientele excited to shop from us.

Methods for Adding Languages to Your Shopify Store

When it comes to adding another language, we have various options to consider—some with their sets of advantages and disadvantages. Here are the primary methods Shopify merchants like us can utilize:

1. Shopify Markets

Shopify Markets is an incredible tool designed to help merchants easily reach and manage international customers. Here’s a breakdown of how to utilize this feature to add another language:

Steps to Set Up Shopify Markets

1. Upgrade Plan: Ensure you are on the Basic Shopify plan or above.
2. Compatible Theme: Verify that your theme supports the multilingual functionality.
3. Language Selector: Ensure your theme includes a language selector for a seamless experience.
4. Add Languages in Settings: Navigate to your settings and add the desired language.
5. Manual Help Needed: Keep in mind that you will still be responsible for translating content if you wish to include more than two languages.

While Shopify Markets offers a native solution, we should be aware of its limitations, including restrictions on automatic translations for product tags and full URL customization.

2. Use Shopify’s Translate & Adapt App

For those looking for an integrated solution, Shopify offers the Translate & Adapt app. This app allows us to efficiently translate various aspects of our store without the need for external configurations.

Steps to Use the Translate & Adapt App

1. Install the App: Locate the app in the Shopify App Store and follow the installation prompts.
2. Select Languages: Go to Settings, then Languages. Choose the original and new languages.
3. Auto-Translate: Use the app’s auto-translate feature to convert your content.
4. Review Translations: Check for accuracy and context. You can edit translations through a side-by-side editor.
5. Publish and Preview: Finalize the translations and publish them, ensuring to check the entire site for missing elements.
6. Add Language Selector: Adjust your theme settings to include a language selector so customers can easily switch between languages.

While the app is a convenient way to translate, we should remember that ongoing content edits won’t auto-update through it. Manual checks and adjustments are essential.

3. Create Multiple Shopify Stores

For specialized markets or differing branding requirements, setting up separate Shopify stores for each language can be a viable option. However, this method can be costly and time-consuming since it requires managing multiple inventories and duplicating content across stores.

Pros and Cons

• Pros:
  • Customized branding for each market.
  • Complete flexibility in translations and market strategies.
• Cons:
  • High management overhead and costs.
  • Challenges in maintaining consistent inventory and updates across multiple stores.

4. Third-Party Translation Apps

For those looking for more robust solutions, several third-party translation apps, such as Weglot and Langify, can help seamlessly add multiple languages to your Shopify store. These apps often come with user-friendly features and automation to simplify the translation process.

Advantages of Third-Party Apps

• Automatic Translation: Quickly translates entire websites, including checkout flows.
• Customization: Offers detailed editing tools for fine-tuning translations.
• SEO-Friendly: Ensures that translated pages are indexable by search engines.

How to Use Third-Party Apps

1. Search on the Shopify App Store: Find and install a third-party translation app like Weglot.
2. Create an Account: Set up your profile to manage translations and settings.
3. Select Languages: Choose the source and target languages for your store.
4. Translation Management: Use built-in tools to automate, customize, and publish translations.
5. SEO Optimization: Make sure the app handles multilingual SEO configurations to enhance visibility.

These apps often help save time and resources, allowing us to focus more on growing our business while effectively engaging a wider audience.

Best Practices for Language Localization

As we move forward with these options, it’s essential to follow best practices to ensure a successful language localization strategy:

Understand Cultural Nuances

When adapting content for different languages, remember that words can have specific meanings and connotations depending on cultural contexts. Always strive for authenticity by consulting with native speakers or professionals when possible.

Regular Updates and Maintenance

Since the nature of e-commerce is ever-evolving, we must ensure that translations are regularly updated alongside new store content. Setting up a process to maintain translations and manage ongoing content changes will keep our website fresh and relevant.

Test User Experience

Conduct user testing with native speakers to gather feedback on navigation and readability. These insights can help us create a smoother shopping experience, ultimately impacting our conversion rates positively.

Monitor Performance

Utilize analytics tools to track the performance of translated pages. Understanding which languages generate the most traffic and conversions can inform our future localization strategies.

Conclusion

Adding another language to our Shopify store isn’t just about switching up some words; it’s a strategic decision that can have far-reaching effects on our brand’s growth and customer relationships. The tools and practices we implement today will drive our efforts to connect with international audiences and enhance our brand appeal. At Tevello, our mission is to empower Shopify merchants like us to expand our horizons by unlocking new revenue streams and building meaningful connections within diverse communities.

As we consider the various methods discussed—be it Shopify Markets, the Translate & Adapt app, or third-party applications like Weglot—there’s no doubt that having a multilingual presence is an invaluable investment. Are you ready to take the leap and expand your store into new linguistic territories?

Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today to pave the way for your multilingual Shopify store. Let’s work together to unlock new possibilities and create connections that last.

FAQ

1. How do I choose the right method for adding another language? Depending on your budget, technical expertise, and business goals, each option has unique benefits and challenges. Consider long-term maintenance and ease of use when deciding.

2. Will adding another language affect my SEO? Not if you do it correctly! Utilize proper SEO practices, such as hreflang tags and optimizing metadata, to ensure search engines index your translated pages efficiently.

3. Do I need to hire a translator for my content? While automated translation tools are convenient, hiring a professional translator can enhance cultural accuracy and help with nuanced messaging.

4. Can I run promotions specific to certain languages? Yes! By using Shopify Markets or separate stores, you can tailor promotions and offers based on specific market language preferences.

5. How can I ensure ongoing updates to translations? Set up a process where new content is simultaneously added to the translation app or engaged professionals to regularly review and update your content as needed.

Ready to enhance your Shopify store and expand internationally? Explore all our robust features today by visiting Tevello's Features Page, or learn more about our simple, flat-rate pricing to start scaling your business effortlessly. Don't wait—install the all-in-one course platform for Shopify today!