Expanding your Wix website to support multiple languages is a strategic move to reach a broader audience and enhance user experience. For e-commerce merchants familiar with platforms like Shopify, implementing a multilingual site on Wix can be straightforward with the right approach. This guide provides a step-by-step process to set up a multilingual website on Wix, ensuring optimal SEO performance and user engagement.

1. Add Wix Multilingual to Your Site

Wix offers a built-in feature called Wix Multilingual to facilitate the creation of multilingual websites.

Steps to Add Wix Multilingual:

1.Access the Wix App Market:

• Navigate to your site's dashboard.
• Click on the App Market icon.

2.Search for Wix Multilingual:

• Type "Wix Multilingual" in the search bar.
• Select the app from the search results.

3.Install the App:

• Click "Add to Site" to integrate Wix Multilingual into your website.
• This integration allows you to manage multiple languages seamlessly within your site. 

support.wix.com

2. Configure Your Languages

After adding the app, set up your primary and secondary languages.

Steps to Configure Languages:

1.Open Wix Multilingual:

• Go to the Multilingual section in your site's dashboard.

• Click "Get Started."

2.Set Primary Language:

• Confirm your site's main language.

• Note: Once set, the primary language cannot be changed.

3.Add Secondary Languages:

• Click "+ Add Language."

• Select the desired language from the dropdown menu.

• Choose whether to make the language visible immediately or keep it hidden until translations are complete.

• Decide between manual translation or enabling auto-translate for your site's content.

This setup ensures your site can cater to visitors in their preferred languages. 

support.wix.com

3. Translate Your Site Content

Accurate translations are crucial for user engagement and SEO.

Translation Methods:

• Manual Translation:

• Allows for precise control over content.

• Ensure cultural nuances and context are appropriately addressed.

• Auto-Translate:

• Utilizes machine translation for efficiency.

• Review and edit translations to maintain quality.

Regularly update translations to reflect any changes in your primary language content. 

support.wix.com

4. Optimize SEO for Each Language

Enhancing SEO for all language versions improves search engine visibility.

SEO Optimization Steps:

• Meta Tags and Descriptions:

• Translate meta titles and descriptions for each page.

• Incorporate relevant keywords in the target language.

• URL Structure:

• Use language-specific subdirectories (e.g., www.yoursite.com/fr/ for French).

• This structure helps search engines identify and index content appropriately.

• Hreflang Tags:

• Implement hreflang tags to indicate language and regional targeting.

• This prevents duplicate content issues and ensures users are directed to the correct language version.

Proper SEO optimization ensures each language version ranks well in search results. 

support.wix.com

5. Customize the Language Menu

A user-friendly language menu enhances navigation.

Customization Tips:

• Design and Placement:

• Ensure the language selector is prominently displayed, typically in the header.

• Customize the design to align with your site's aesthetics.

• Functionality:

• Allow users to switch languages seamlessly without redirecting to the homepage.

• Test the language menu to ensure it works correctly across all devices.

An intuitive language menu improves user experience and encourages visitors to explore your site in their preferred language. 

support.wix.com

6. Regularly Update and Maintain Translations

Keep your multilingual site accurate and relevant.

Maintenance Practices:

• Content Updates:

• Synchronize updates across all language versions.

• Ensure new content is translated promptly.

• Quality Assurance:

• Regularly review translations for accuracy.

• Gather feedback from native speakers to improve content quality.

Consistent maintenance ensures your site remains professional and trustworthy to a global audience.

By following these steps, you can effectively set up a multilingual website on Wix, providing a seamless experience for international visitors and enhancing your site's SEO performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I change my site's primary language after setting it?

No, once the primary language is set in Wix Multilingual, it cannot be changed. It's essential to choose the correct main language during the initial setup. 

support.wix.com

2. How does auto-translation work in Wix Multilingual?

Wix Multilingual offers an auto-translate feature that uses machine translation to convert your site's content into the selected secondary languages.

✔ You get 3 free auto-translations per month.

✔ Additional translations require a Wix Premium plan.

✔ It’s recommended to review and edit translations for accuracy.

3. Will my multilingual Wix site rank on Google?

Yes! But to ensure each language version is indexed properly, you should:

✔ Use hreflang tags to tell search engines which version to display for different users.

✔ Translate meta descriptions and titles for better ranking.

✔ Ensure content is unique in each language (avoid Google Translate-only pages).

4. Can I translate my Wix store for different languages?

Yes! If you’re running an e-commerce store on Wix, you can:

✔ Translate product descriptions, prices, and checkout pages.

✔ Offer localized currencies to match customer preferences.

✔ Ensure email notifications and receipts are in the correct language.

5. Can I add more than two languages to my Wix site?

Yes! Wix allows you to add multiple languages to your website.

✔ There is no limit to the number of languages you can add.

✔ Each language version can have customized layouts and translations.

Final Thoughts

Setting up a multilingual Wix website is essential for expanding your audience, increasing sales, and improving user experience. By following these best practices, you can create a fully optimized multilingual store that is search-engine-friendly and user-friendly.

🚀 Ready to go global? Start by setting up Wix Multilingual today and optimize your site for international success!