Creating a multilingual site requires careful planning and proper structure to effectively serve content in different languages. Here's how to set it up manually in Squarespace:

Basic Structure Overview

• Homepage linking to different language versions
• Separate page sets for each language
• Language selector dropdown for easy navigation

Setup Process

1. Create Homepage

• Move homepage to "Not Linked" section
• Start with blank page
• Add language selection buttons/links

2. Set Up Navigation

• Create two dropdown menus (one per language)
• Name dropdowns according to languages (e.g., "English," "French")
• Remove any demo pages

3. Add Content Pages

• First dropdown: Add all pages in primary language
• Second dropdown: Duplicate and translate pages
• Maintain consistent page order across languages

Important Limitations

• Embedded text displays in one language only
• Single currency for all product sales
• No separate domains/subdomains for different languages
• System-generated text (dates, error messages) in one language

Navigation Options

• Standard dropdown menus
• Content links in Not Linked section
• Separate sites with external links (requires separate billing)

SEO Considerations

• Content must be properly optimized for each language
• Use Google Search Console for multilingual SEO guidance
• Consider hiring an expert for optimal SEO setup

Alternative Approaches

• Use Weglot integration (recommended for version 7.1)
• Create Index pages for scrolling content
• Implement cover pages for language selection
• Explore template-specific features

Remember to review all content before publishing and use the launch checklist to ensure proper setup across all language versions.

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