Can you create multilingual sites with Webflow?

In a globalized world where the Internet is omnipresent, it is essential for businesses and individuals to be able to communicate with an international audience. A multilingual website is therefore a valuable asset in reaching a wider and more diverse audience. But is it possible to create a multilingual site with Webflow? The answer in the article below!
Photo de l'auteur
Sandro D.
Published on
29/4/2024
Update
29/4/2024
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Multilingual sites: a key challenge

A multilingual website is a site that offers its content in several languages. This makes it possible to reach a wider audience and to adapt to the specific needs of each user.

Why create a multilingual site?

  • Reach an international audience
  • Improving the user experience
  • Stand out from the competition
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The challenges associated with multilingual sites

  • Content translation and localization
  • Management of the various language versions
  • Optimizing for SEO in multiple languages

Can you create a multilingual site with Webflow?

Yes, it is possible to create a multilingual site with Webflow, but it requires some adjustments and adaptations.

1. Use a folder for each language

In the Pages section of Webflow, create a folder for each language you want to add to your site. For example, create a folder named “fr” for French and “en” for English.

Then all you have to do is duplicate your pages from one folder to another, making sure to translate the content correctly.

Bon à savoir

Créez des symboles pour les éléments récurrents tels que les menus de navigation, les en-têtes et les pieds de page. Cela vous permettra de mettre à jour ces éléments une seule fois pour toutes les langues.

2. Use a reverse proxy

In the field of computing, a proxy server acts as a mediator between your equipment (computer/browser) and the Internet (server). As for the reverse proxy, it works in exactly the opposite way.

As you can see, a reverse proxy acts as an intermediary between visitors to your site and your Webflow server. It allows you to automatically translate and display the content of your site in the preferred language of visitors.

Several reverse proxy service providers are available, such as Cloudflare or Nginx. Compare features and pricing to select the one that best fits your needs.

To find out more about the Setting up a reverse proxy in Webflow I invite you to read the detailed article by Benoît Eveillard.

3. Use a third party solution

These solutions, similar to extensions, are integrated into your Webflow site through the use of Javascript. Overall, they allow for easy installation with a simple interface.

Weglot

Weglot

Weglot is a website translation solution that makes it easy to translate and manage multilingual content.

Benefits

  1. Ease of integration: Weglot integrates easily with Webflow
  2. Machine translation: Weglot uses machine translation engines to provide initial translations, which saves time.
  3. Manual translations and collaboration: Weglot offers the possibility to check and edit automatic translations. In addition, you can invite collaborators to improve the quality of translations.
  4. No need to duplicate pages

Disadvantages:

  1. Cost: Weglot offers a free plan to test the service with limitations (2000 words). To unlock additional features, you need to subscribe to a paid subscription and the package can quickly become very expensive if you have a lot of words to translate and several languages.
  2. The sitemap is not updated automatically according to languages

Pricing Weglot

Pricing Weglot

Linguana

Linguana

In the same way as Weglot, Linguana integrates easily with Webflow.

Overall, Linguana offers the same benefits as Weglot, but it's important to note that it offers a much cheaper free plan.

Including unlimited translation for one language as well as the translation of URLs, this makes them a particularly relevant choice if your site is only translated into 2 languages.

Overall, Linguana is also much cheaper than Weglot. The only downside I see compared to Weglot is the requirement to republish pages on Linguana if a change is made on Webflow.

Pricing Linguana

Pricing Linguana

SEO optimization for a multilingual site

To optimize the SEO of your multilingual Webflow site, follow these tips:

Optimize title tags and meta descriptions

For each language, create title tags and meta descriptions that are unique and optimized for the target keywords.

This will help search engines understand the content on each page and rank them accordingly.

Create a multilingual sitemap

Generate a sitemap including all the language versions of your pages to facilitate indexing by search engines.

Use clear and understandable URLs

Make sure that the URLs on your pages are clear and understandable for users and search engines. Include relevant keywords and avoid special characters.

Conclusion

As you have understood, Webflow offers the possibility of creating a multilingual site through the use of folders by language, the use of a reverse proxy or the integration of third-party solutions such as Weglot and Polyflow.

Finally, to optimize the SEO of your multilingual site, it is essential to work on title tags, meta descriptions, the creation of a multilingual sitemap and the use of clear and understandable URLs.

By following these tips, you can take full advantage of the benefits of a multilingual website and extend your reach to a wider audience.

FAQS

What are the challenges associated with creating a multilingual website?

Key challenges include translating and localizing content, managing different language versions, and optimizing for SEO in multiple languages.

What are the challenges associated with creating a multilingual website?

Key challenges include translating and localizing content, managing different language versions, and optimizing for SEO in multiple languages.

How to optimize SEO for a multilingual site?

To optimize the SEO of your multilingual site, work on title tags, meta descriptions, create a multilingual sitemap and use clear and understandable URLs for each language.

What is a reverse proxy and how can it help create a multilingual website?

A reverse proxy acts as an intermediary between visitors to your site and your Webflow server.

It allows the content of your site to be automatically translated and displayed in the preferred language of visitors, thus facilitating the management of language versions.

What are the main differences between Weglot and Polyflow?

Both solutions offer similar features, but Polyflow offers a cheaper free plan and is generally less expensive than Weglot.

However, Weglot offers a slightly simpler integration and does not require republishing pages when making changes to Webflow.

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Sandro D.
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