Mandarin Chinese is the top spoken language in the World, comprising over 1.1 billion Mandarin-Chinese speaking people.

So, does it mean every website should be in Mandarin?

Well, the answer is no. But wouldn’t you want to reach out to the 1.1 billion Mandarin-speaking users?
Fortunately, eCommerce platforms like Shopify have multilingual integration features. And to make your Shopify store globally accessible, you should develop a multilingual site. 

Why have a Multilingual Shopify site?

The best part of having an eCommerce business is global accessibility and a wider market reach. And with a single-language integrated online store, you are bound to miss the mark. 

If you think translating your store’s content directly will work then you’re definitely living under the rock. Translating content will lead to miscommunication and loss of authenticity. 

How a multilingual Shopify store boosts SEO? 

1. Complete SEO in multiple languages
2. Stronger positioning in global market 
3. Ability to capture a whole new market that your competitors might not be working with 
4. Increase in the store’s sales and revenue

A multilingual Shopify site will not only help you in boosting your existing customer base but also increasing the retention rate.

What is a Multilingual SEO?

Multilingual SEO (Search Engine Optimization) ensures content optimization in multiple languages. Let’s say you have an online store that sells Shopify apps. And you want to drive sales from Italy. So, you translate your content into Italian and create another website in English.

 But, what if you want to target the Spanish speaking population in the USA itself? Will you create another site translating the content into Spanish? 

Here’s where a multilingual SEO proves handy. It’s best for eCommerce businesses with a global clientele network.

How to set up a multilingual site on Shopify?

Building a Shopify store that is multilingual is easier than you think. 

The Shopify app store offers multiple apps. You can use anyone to convert your online store into a multilingual business. 

But it’s important to choose the right app. 

How to choose the right Shopify multilingual app?

1. Select an app that’s easy to install, comes with a user-friendly interface, and also looks good when implemented on your store page. 
2. Another significant feature you need to look into is whether the app automatically translates the page for you or not. And whether you need to manually add the translations.

Top 5 Multilingual Shopify Apps

Langify

If you want an app that already has a multi-language store manager with a good reputation, then Langify is the one for you. The app creates an entirely new domain for every language. It also offers other features – like, SEO optimization for each language, sitemaps, and support for Right-to-Left translations. 

However, Langify is unable to automatically translate pages for you. The app manages those pages that have already been translated. So, the process of setting up a multilingual page may be time-consuming for an average person. 

But, this may be done so that app users/store builders can edit the content of the store to bring it as close to the emotions they want to convey as possible.  

Pros: 

• User-Friendly Installation 
• Easy to navigate UI
• Unlimited SEO-optimized languages 
• Import/Export options – CSV, PO/MO, XLIFF, JSON

Cons: 

• Automatic translation not available
• It takes time to set up 

Cost: Free 3-day trial, then $17.50/month

Panda Language Translate

If you want an app that’s easy to install, then Panda Language Translate is ideal for you. You can do the set up in a minute. It offers automatic translations for all languages and supports RTL translations. User Interface is fundamental and comes with complete functionality. 

One major negative is that the app uses Google Translator, which is not very accurate. The language switcher, although accurate, does not really capture the essence of sentences or sentence structure.

Pros: 

• 3 easy ways to install the app 
• User Interface is easy to install and is super-friendly 
• Automatic dynamic translations

Cons: 

• Cannot be customized
• User Google Translate 
• Integration in the store is unprofessional

Cost: Free 7 days trial, then $7.99/month.

LangShop

LangShop is a smart and customizable app. The app offers numerous configuration options. It uses Yandex API for automatic translations. It also has unlimited language and SEO optimization support. 

With the app, you can even use a currency switcher that allows customers to switch from one currency to another. 

One major setback of LangShop is that it does not support RTL translations. Also, it is a time-consuming process as you need to set up preferences and choose options. 

Pros: 

• User Friendly 
• Unlimited customization 
• Automatic Yandex API translation 
• Currency switcher 

Cons: 

• Does not support RTL 
• Set up is time-consuming

Cost: Free 3-day trial, then $17.99/month

Multi Lingo

Multi Lingo is a cross between the Panda Language Translate and the Lang Shop app. It has reliable support for RTL translations and the Yande API translator. 

The app is also available with customization options. Since it is hosted on Amazon’s cloud servers, loading speed is not an issue anymore. 

But the app falls short on the design side. The app also does not integrate optimally with the stores. 

Pros: 

• Easy to set up 
• No knowledge of coding is required 
• Automatic Yandex API translations
• Supports RTL translations

Cons:

• User Interface is outdated 
• Customization is limited 
• Does not integrate well with the store 

Cost: Free 7-day trial, then $5.99/month

Weglot

Weglot is a powerful and easy-to-setup translation app. The app is search engine optimized, uses sub-directories for Google, and allows users to leverage human and machine translations. 

The app also has additional features, like a development environment, checkout, and email translations, and invoice integration to send documents in the customer’s language. 

Pros: 

• Easy installation and set up 
• User Interface is friendly 
• Supports RTL text 
• Provides advanced translation features
• Allows complete store translations

Cons:

• No Import/Export options – CSV, PO/MO, XLIFF, JSON

Cost: 

Free 10-day trial, then £9.90 to £49.90/month.

Conclusion

No matter the app you select, make sure your translations are not forced. Keep in mind that your customers who are looking at your Shopify store in that language might ask a question in that language as well. Make sure you have multilingual support as well. 

Also, try and change the language voice or set according to the language you are writing. Google may get confused if the languages of the pages are similar.