How to Have Multi Language Checkout on Shopify

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Multi-Language Checkout is Crucial
3. Setting Up Multi-Language Checkout on Shopify
4. Conclusion

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how to cater to a global audience with Shopify? If you're running an e-commerce site, chances are you have customers from various countries who speak different languages. A striking statistic reveals that 75% of consumers are more likely to purchase from a website in their native tongue. This brings us to an essential feature for e-commerce platforms: multi-language checkout. It’s not just a nice-to-have but a must-have for improving user experience and conversion rates.

Creating a multi-language checkout on Shopify can sound challenging, but it's very feasible with the right tools and strategies. This blog post aims to guide you through setting up a multi-language checkout on your Shopify store. By the end, you'll understand how to create a seamless checkout experience in various languages, thereby reducing cart abandonment and boosting sales.

Why Multi-Language Checkout is Crucial

One of the significant barriers to online shopping is language. When customers can't understand the checkout process, they're more likely to abandon their carts. Adding multi-language support helps:

1. Reduce Cart Abandonment: A study showed that 86% of consumers abandon their carts due to a complex or confusing checkout process. Language plays a crucial role in understanding.
2. Enhance User Experience: Shoppers are more comfortable and confident when they can read the checkout steps in their native language.
3. Increase Global Reach: Supporting multiple languages shows customers that you’re committed to serving them, no matter where they’re from.

Setting Up Multi-Language Checkout on Shopify

Step 1: Language Settings in Shopify

Shopify provides basic language support out of the box:

1. Navigate to Settings: From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Checkout.
2. Manage Checkout Language: In the Checkout language section, click Manage checkout language.
3. Adjust the Text Fields: Change the text of each field according to the languages you want to support.

However, this approach only allows one language at a time. For a multi-language checkout, you'll need third-party apps or custom solutions.

Step 2: Use a Translation App

To streamline the process, we recommend using one of the many apps available on the Shopify App Store, such as Langify or Multi Lingo.

• Langify: Provides automatic language detection, customizable language switcher, and support for multiple domains, enhancing SEO.
• Multi Lingo: Allows translations for products, pages, email notifications, checkouts, and more. It offers both manual and automatic translations.

Installation and Setup of Langify

1. Install the App: Install Langify from the Shopify App Store.
2. Initial Setup: Follow the setup wizard to select target languages.
3. Automatic Translation: Choose categories to be translated automatically, including checkout, product descriptions, payment gateways, and shipping options.
4. Language Switcher: Customize or use the built-in switcher for customers to select their preferred language.

Langify supports over 240 languages, making it a robust solution for global businesses.

Step 3: Custom Code for Buy Button Integration

For stores using Shopify’s "Buy Button" feature, customizing the checkout URL to support multiple languages may require a bit of coding:

1. Customize the Button:

   const client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({
       domain: 'your-shop-name.myshopify.com',
       storefrontAccessToken: 'your-storefront-access-token',
       language: 'fr' // or 'en', 'de', etc.
   });
   

2. Modify Checkout URL: Append ?locale=xx to the checkout URL to direct the customer to the appropriate language. You can do this dynamically based on user preference detected through your site’s language settings.

Step 4: Addressing Edge Cases

Sometimes, the out-of-the-box solutions and apps might not cover all your needs, especially if you use custom themes or third-party checkout solutions. In such cases, you might require custom solutions:

• Use Webhooks and API Calls: Use Shopify webhooks and custom scripts to dynamically change language settings based on user interactions.
• Third-Party Translation Services: Integrate external APIs like Google Translate or Yandex to translate content on-the-fly.

Step 5: Test, Analyze, and Optimize

1. User Testing: Conduct extensive testing to ensure seamless user experience in all target languages.
2. Track Analytics: Use Google Analytics or Shopify’s built-in analytics to monitor the behavior of multi-language users, focusing on checkout completion rates.
3. Iterate: Continuously update translations and optimize your checkout process based on collected data and user feedback.

Case Study: Increased Conversion Rates

One Shopify store using multi-language checkout reported a 30% increase in international sales. By using Langify and customizing their URL parameters, they provided users with an intuitive and familiar shopping experience, leading to higher conversions.

Conclusion

In a global marketplace, offering a multi-language checkout is not an option but a necessity. With tools like Langify and Multi Lingo, along with a bit of custom coding, you can easily expand your Shopify store's accessibility. Ensure that your customers, no matter where they’re from, feel comfortable and confident completing their purchases.

FAQ

Q: Is it possible to have a multi-language checkout without Shopify Plus? A: Yes, third-party apps like Langify and Multi Lingo enable multi-language checkouts on standard Shopify plans without the need for Shopify Plus.

Q: Will the currency also change with the language? A: Some apps, like Langify, offer support for currency conversions along with language translations. Always check the app features before installation.

Q: How can I test if my multi-language setup works? A: You can use different browsers or enable incognito modes to test the language switch and ensure the checkout process is seamless across all languages.

Enhancing user experience through multi-language support can significantly uplift your sales and customer satisfaction. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to delivering a more inclusive and efficient shopping experience.