How to Build a Multilingual Shopify Store for Global Growth

If you're looking to take your Shopify store to the next level and expand into global markets, offering multiple language options can be a game-changer. Shopify makes it relatively easy to sell in different languages, helping you reach a broader audience and boost your sales. Having a multilingual store can significantly enhance the customer experience, allowing people from different regions to browse and shop in their preferred language.

In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about building a multilingual Shopify store. We’ll cover how to:

• Change the language on your Shopify admin panel
• Set up your store to sell in multiple languages
• Why it's essential to offer multiple languages on your store
• How to add new languages
• The best apps for translation and multilingual support

Why Selling in Multiple Languages Is Crucial for Your Shopify Store’s Success

The global market presents endless possibilities, but to tap into those opportunities, you need to speak the language of your potential customers. Whether you're selling to customers in Asia, Europe, or South America, the ability to offer your store in multiple languages can drastically increase your chances of making sales. Let’s dive into why you should consider selling in multiple languages on your Shopify store:

1. Access a Global Audience

The most apparent benefit of offering your store in multiple languages is the ability to expand your reach. A store available in multiple languages can attract customers from different countries, regions, and cultures. As more customers access your products in their preferred language, the more likely you are to increase your sales and grow your business. In addition to reaching new customers, your store can help you build a loyal customer base in foreign markets that prefer shopping in their native language.

2. Improve Customer Experience

When customers can browse your website in their preferred language, they feel more comfortable and confident in their purchasing decisions. A well-translated website increases trust and improves the overall customer experience. If customers can understand your product descriptions, policies, checkout process, and other essential details, they’re more likely to stay on your site and complete their purchases, reducing cart abandonment rates.

3. Improve SEO and Visibility

Another major advantage of offering a multilingual Shopify store is the potential for improved search engine optimization (SEO). When you translate your store into different languages, you can include localized keywords and target customers from specific regions, giving your site an edge in search rankings. When people search for products or services in their native language, search engines will show results that are relevant to them. This increases the chances of your store ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs), boosting organic traffic to your store.

4. Cater to Local Preferences

Each market has unique preferences and needs. Translating your store’s content allows you to tailor your messaging to different audiences. Whether it’s seasonal promotions, specific cultural references, or regional holidays, language customization can be a powerful way to show that you understand your audience’s preferences. Localizing content ensures that your products, offers, and customer service align with local expectations, creating a stronger connection with your customers.

5. Differentiate Yourself from Competitors

Many online stores still don't offer multilingual capabilities. By providing customers with the option to shop in their preferred language, you set your store apart from competitors. Offering a localized shopping experience not only helps you stand out in crowded markets but also makes your brand more appealing to international shoppers.

6. Reduce Cart Abandonment

Providing a multilingual shopping experience can lead to higher conversion rates. If customers can easily navigate your site and understand the product information, they are more likely to make a purchase. Clear communication eliminates misunderstandings, which can reduce cart abandonment and improve the overall checkout experience.

7. Boost Your International Sales and Revenue

Selling in multiple languages increases the potential for more sales from international markets. With the right translations and localization strategies, you can effectively communicate with customers in different regions, improving engagement and conversions. By offering a more personalized experience for international customers, you increase the likelihood of repeat business and long-term loyalty.

The Steps to Building a Multilingual Shopify Store

Let’s break down the steps you need to take to create a multilingual Shopify store and start reaching more customers in different languages.

1. How to Change the Language of Your Shopify Admin Panel

When you first set up your Shopify store, the admin panel is set to English by default. However, Shopify allows you to change the admin language to suit your preferences. Changing the admin panel language won’t affect the way customers see your store—it will only affect the interface of your Shopify admin.

Here’s how to change the language of your Shopify admin:

1. Log into your Shopify Admin Panel.
2. Click on your Profile or Account Name located at the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Select Manage Account from the dropdown menu.
4. In the account settings, find the Preferred Language section.
5. You will see a list of available languages—choose your preferred language from the drop-down menu.
6. Click Save to apply the changes.

Each team member can set their own preferred language for the Shopify admin interface without affecting other users. This is particularly helpful for international teams that work with Shopify from different parts of the world.

2. How to Change the Default Language of Your Shopify Store

The default language for your Shopify store determines what language is shown to customers during their shopping experience, including checkout, product descriptions, and other key sections.

Here’s how to change the default language:

1. Log in to your Shopify Admin Panel.
2. Click on Settings in the bottom-left corner of your admin.
3. Choose Languages from the settings menu.
4. In the Published Languages section, you will see your current default language. Click Change Default next to it.
5. Select the new language from the drop-down menu.
6. Click Save to apply the changes.

Now, the default language on your Shopify store will reflect the changes. You can also add more languages and activate them on your storefront if you want to offer your customers multiple language options.

3. Adding Multiple Languages to Your Shopify Store

Now, let’s explore how to sell in multiple languages and make your store accessible to global audiences.

Pre-requisites:

• Your store is on the Basic Shopify plan or higher. The Shopify Starter plan (also called Shopify Lite) does not support multiple languages, so you’ll need to be on at least the Basic Shopify plan to use this feature.
• You’re using a compatible theme that supports multiple languages. Most free Shopify themes, as well as many paid ones, come with this capability. If you’re using a third-party theme, you may need to check with the theme developers to ensure compatibility.
• You need to have your translations ready or install a translation app to help automate the process.

Steps to add new languages to your Shopify store:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings and then click Languages.
2. Choose a language from the drop-down menu and click Add.
3. Select the Active Market you want to add the language to.
4. You can then use Shopify’s Translate & Adapt app or another translation app to import your translations into your store.
5. Click Preview to check how the language looks in your store.
6. Go to Languages under Unpublished Languages, click Publish, and then Save.

4. Choose the Right Translation Apps

If you don’t have the translations ready or want to streamline the process, Shopify offers a variety of translation apps that can automatically translate or help you manually translate your content. Here are a few popular ones:

• Shopify Translate & Adapt: This app simplifies translation management, offering a side-by-side editor that allows for manual translations. It also integrates with Google Translate to help you auto-translate up to two languages at no extra cost.
• Transcy: An AI-powered app that offers both manual and automatic translation. Transcy also supports currency conversion, allowing customers to view prices in their local currency.
• Weglot: This app provides automatic translation and is SEO-friendly, ensuring that your translations are indexed by search engines. You can also refine translations manually.
• Translation Lab: Offers bulk translations and keeps your content up to date with automatic updates. It also integrates with Shopify Markets, which is essential for selling in different regions.

5. Why Multilingual Stores Are Important for Growth

Offering a multilingual store isn’t just about convenience; it's a powerful growth strategy. Here’s why multilingual stores are essential for expanding your reach and increasing your sales:

• Local Trust and Credibility: Customers are more likely to trust and buy from a store that speaks their language. By offering localized content, you show customers that you care about their experience.
• Better Conversion Rates: With localized shopping experiences, customers are more comfortable making purchases, resulting in fewer cart abandonments and more completed transactions.
• SEO Benefits: Translated content can rank in search engines in different languages, increasing your visibility and driving traffic from international customers.
• Global Market Penetration: By expanding into new markets, you can reach a global audience and increase your sales potential.

Conclusion

Building a multilingual Shopify store is an excellent way to tap into new markets, improve the customer experience, and grow your business globally. Whether you’re selling to customers in Europe, Asia, or the Americas, offering your store in multiple languages ensures that you meet your customers where they are.

Ready to Sell in Multiple Languages?

If you're not sure where to start or need help with setting up your store for multiple languages, our team at JHANGO is here to assist. We offer expert support in setting up Shopify stores that cater to global markets, including multilingual solutions tailored to your business.

Consult with our Team of Developers

Schedule a Call and let's work together to make your Shopify store multilingual and globally accessible!