Lost in Translation? How to Fix Your Shopify Store's Default Language Woes
Uh Oh, Wrong Language! Fixing Your Shopify Store's Default Settings
Ever feel like you've accidentally ordered the wrong thing at a restaurant because the menu was in a language you didn't understand? It's frustrating, right? Well, imagine your customers feeling that way on your Shopify store! I recently stumbled upon a really interesting discussion in the Shopify Community about this very issue, and I wanted to share some insights.
The original poster, gangoftheunicorn, shared a common pitfall: setting the default language to their native French when they really wanted their primary audience to experience the store in English. Their store, kumlai.com, ended up with French as the default, even though the main content was in English.
So, what do you do if you find yourself in a similar situation? Let's dive into the solutions that the Shopify community offered.
The Core Problem: Why Default Language Matters
As wirtfield pointed out, the default language isn't just about what language your store displays in. It's how Shopify and, more importantly, Google, interprets your site. If your default is French, Google might see your .com domain as primarily French, even if most of your content is English. This can lead to your store showing up in the wrong language for potential customers, like gangoftheunicorn experienced.
Option 1: The Recommended Fix - Change the Default Language
The consensus? Changing the default language is usually the best way to go, especially if your target audience primarily speaks English. But, as wirtfield wisely cautioned, it's not a simple click-and-done process. You've got to be careful to avoid breaking things.
Here's a Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Default Language:
-
Backup, Backup, Backup! Seriously, this is crucial. Duplicate your theme (Shopify Admin → Online Store → Themes → Actions → Duplicate) and export your translations (Shopify Admin → Settings → Languages → Export CSV). Think of it as your "undo" button.
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Change the Default Language: Go to Shopify Admin → Settings → Languages → Change default language → English. Shopify will automatically create a
/frfolder for your French content. -
Verify Translations: Double-check that all your French content is now correctly located under the
/frpath. Look closely at menus, navigation, checkout text, and any apps you're using. Some apps might still reference the old default language. -
SEO and URLs: Shopify should automatically add
/frto your French pages. Verify that old French URLs (those without/fr) are redirecting correctly. You can use Google Search Console to monitor this. -
Reindex with Google: Submit your updated sitemap to Google Search Console. Use
hreflangtags to tell Google which language each page is in (/frfor French,/for English).
As Josh_digital also suggested, the Shopify Translate & Adapt app can be a huge help in managing multilingual content.
Potential Pitfalls to Watch Out For:
- Hardcoded Content: Text directly within your theme's templates might not switch automatically. You'll need to manually update this.
- App Translations: Some apps might need their translations reassigned after the language switch.
- URL Structure Changes: Be prepared for URL changes and potential 301 redirects.
- Custom SEO Meta: You might need to update your custom SEO meta descriptions for French pages.
Option 2: The Tricky Alternative - Keep French Default, Force English SEO
If, for some reason, you absolutely must keep French as the default, wirtfield outlined another approach. This involves making sure your English content is designated as the primary URL for your .com domain, using hreflang tags, and submitting separate sitemaps to Google Search Console. However, this method is generally more complex from an SEO perspective.
Key Takeaways and Practical Tips
- Test on a Duplicate Theme: Before making any changes to your live store, experiment on a duplicate theme. This allows you to catch any issues without affecting your customers.
- Check Your Apps: If you're using translation apps like Langify or Weglot, make sure to reconfigure them after changing the default language.
- Verify Everything: Double-check your checkout process, shipping notifications, and all other customer-facing elements to ensure they're displaying in the correct language.
Changing your Shopify store's default language can feel daunting, but with careful planning and a solid backup strategy, it's definitely achievable. Remember to prioritize a smooth customer experience and accurate SEO. By following the steps and tips shared in the Shopify Community, you can ensure a successful transition and avoid any language-related headaches down the road.