Expanding your Shopify store to a global audience is no longer just a luxury—it’s a necessity. With international customers browsing and shopping online more than ever, providing content in their native language significantly improves user experience, trust, and conversion rates.
In Day 13 of our Shopify Development Series, we’ll walk you through how to create a multi-language Shopify store, ensuring your brand connects with customers across borders.
🌍 Why Go Multilingual?
Before we get into the “how”, let’s understand the “why”. Adding multilingual support to your Shopify store can:
- Increase international sales and visibility
- Improve customer trust and engagement
- Boost SEO performance in different regions
- Reduce bounce rates due to language barriers
- Provide a smoother shopping experience for global users
Even if you’re just starting out, planning for localisation can give your store a competitive edge in international markets.
🛠️ Methods for Creating a Multi-Language Shopify Store
There are two main ways to enable multilingual support on Shopify:
1. Native Shopify Language Features (Using Markets)
Shopify introduced Markets to help merchants localise their stores. It includes support for multiple languages and currencies within the same storefront.
2. Third-Party Translation Apps
Apps offer greater flexibility and automation for stores with extensive content or complex translation needs.
Let’s explore both methods.
✅ Method 1: Using Shopify’s Built-in Multi-Language Support
Step 1: Enable Multiple Languages in Shopify Admin
- Go to your Shopify Admin
- Click Settings > Languages
- Click Add Language
- Choose the languages you want to support
- Publish the new languages
📝 Note: You’ll need to use a theme that supports multiple languages (like Shopify’s Dawn theme).
Step 2: Translate Store Content
You can manually translate:
- Product titles and descriptions
- Collections
- Pages
- Navigation menus
- Checkout and notifications (depending on the theme)
Use the Translate & Adapt app by Shopify for an easier, semi-automated experience.
Step 3: Add Language Selector to Your Store
Most Shopify themes display a language switcher automatically once multiple languages are enabled. If not:
- Edit the theme’s code (header.liquid)
- Add a language picker dropdown using Liquid
Step 4: Optimise for International SEO
- Shopify automatically generates hreflang tags for supported languages
- Submit all language-specific URLs to Google Search Console
- Translate meta titles and descriptions for each page
✅ Method 2: Using Translation Apps
If you need advanced features like automatic translation, professional localisation, or multi-currency support, third-party apps are your best bet.
Recommended Apps:
- Weglot – Automatic and manual translations, SEO-friendly, quick setup
- Langify – Full control over translations, supports multiple domains
- Transcy – Free plan available, AI-powered translation, easy UI
- Shopify Translate & Adapt – Official app by Shopify, simple and effective for basic needs
Benefits of Translation Apps:
- Faster implementation for large catalogues
- Support for RTL (right-to-left) languages
- Translate theme content and third-party apps
- Better management of multiple currencies
🌐 Multi-Language Store Tips
- Keep URLs localised (e.g.,
/fr,/de) when possible for SEO - Offer region-specific promotions or shipping rates
- Always have human proofreading for high-impact pages (like About Us, Home, and Checkout)
- Use flags or dropdowns to let users switch languages easily
- Monitor analytics per region to fine-tune your content strategy
🚀 Wrapping Up
Creating a multi-language Shopify store doesn’t have to be complicated. With the tools available today—both native and third-party—you can localise your content and scale your business globally without needing multiple stores or complex setups.
Whether you’re just starting to explore international markets or already seeing overseas traffic, enabling multilingual support is a smart investment in your brand’s growth.
