Translating your Squarespace website into multiple languages requires careful planning and implementation. Here's how to create a multilingual site manually while maintaining SEO effectiveness.

Basic Structure Requirements:

• Homepage linking to each language version
• Separate page sets for each language
• Language-specific dropdown menus for navigation
• Consistent structure across all language versions

Step-by-Step Setup Instructions:

1. Create the Homepage

• Move homepage to Unlinked section
• Start with blank page template
• Add language selection options

2. Set Up Navigation

• Create two dropdown menus (one per language)
• Name menus according to languages (e.g., "English," "Español")
• Maintain identical page structure across languages
• Ensure consistent page order in both menus

3. Create Content Pages

• Add pages to first language dropdown
• Duplicate pages for second language
• Translate content manually
• Maintain parallel structure across languages

Important Limitations:

• Embedded text displays in one language only
• Single currency for all transactions
• No separate domains/subdomains per language
• Checkout page remains in primary language

SEO Considerations:

• Content must be optimized for each language
• Use appropriate meta descriptions per language
• Consider implementing hreflang tags
• Follow Google's multilingual site guidelines

Alternative Options:

• Use index pages for scrolling content
• Create cover page as language selector
• Consider multiple sites for different currencies
• Implement Weglot integration (Version 7.1+)

The manual approach requires more maintenance but offers complete control over your multilingual content. For optimal results, consider professional SEO assistance to ensure proper indexing across all languages.

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