How to Set Up a Manual Multilingual Site in Squarespace

How to Set Up a Manual Multilingual Site in Squarespace

By Michael Thompson

March 18, 2025 at 12:56 AM

Creating a multilingual Squarespace site follows a straightforward process that ensures your content remains accessible and search-engine friendly across multiple languages.

Basic Structure

Your multilingual site should include:

  • A homepage with links to each language version
  • Separate page sets for each language
  • Navigation menus for each language
  • Language switcher in an easily accessible location

Step-by-Step Setup

  1. Create Homepage
  • Move homepage to "Not Linked" section
  • Start with blank page
  • Add language selection buttons/links
  1. Set Up Navigation
  • Create two dropdown menus (one per language)
  • Name dropdowns appropriately (e.g., "English," "Español")
  • Ensure menus appear on all pages
  1. Add Content Pages
  • Create pages for first language
  • Duplicate pages for second language
  • Translate content manually
  • Maintain consistent page order across languages

Shopping cart in navigation bar

Shopping cart in navigation bar

Important Limitations

  • Built-in text displays in single language only
  • One currency per site
  • No separate domains/subdomains for languages
  • Checkout page remains in primary language

SEO Considerations

  • Optimize content for each language
  • Use proper meta descriptions
  • Implement hreflang tags
  • Consider region-specific keywords
  • Follow Google's multilingual site guidelines

Alternative Options

For Version 7.0:

  • Use index pages for scrolling content
  • Create cover page as language selector
  • Implement template-specific features
  • Consider multiple sites for different currencies

For Version 7.1:

  • Use Weglot integration for automated translation
  • Create language subdomains
  • Add automatic language detection
  • Translate checkout pages
  • Implement header language switcher

These steps create a functional multilingual site while maintaining SEO benefits and user experience across all languages.

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