Website Translation for Shopify: What’s the Best Choice?

Introduction

Modern communication, transportation, and commercial innovations are making our world feel smaller than ever. New technology has created an unprecedented level of interconnection, presenting an opportunity for business. E-commerce providers everywhere are partnering with Shopify, a platform that allows individuals and businesses to create and manage their online stores, to take advantage of it.

Shopify is the nation’s largest provider of e-commerce software with 28% of US online stores - over 2 million merchants and 4.6 million live websites - using the platform's tools and features. Shoppers who speak a multitude of languages visit your Shopify website every day. Engage and delight them with a cutting-edge website translation solution for Shopify from MotionPoint.  

Why Translate Your Shopify Website? 

For today's vendors, website translation isn't a luxury. It's a necessity. Consider some statistics: 

• Over 50% of all Google queries are made in languages other than English. 
• 76% of online shoppers prefer to buy products with information in their native language. 
• 87% of non-English speaking individuals won’t make purchases from an English-only website. 

For more than two decades, our easy-to-use software has supported retail and ecommerce success at businesses around the world. We know that website localization is a big step for many companies. You need to take your time and test the success of your efforts.

By adapting your Shopify website to multiple languages, you’re not just translating content—you’re strategically positioning your business for global success. Cost-effective translation for Shopify websites doesn’t just ensure that your products and services resonate with a diverse audience, it also: 

• Fosters trust by building connections. 
• Enhances user experience with a seamless browsing experience for users in their native language. 
• Makes your website accessible to audiences everywhere, increasing market reach, expanding your customer base, and opening new markets. 
• Drives organic traffic with improved SEO that leads to higher search engine result rankings in different languages. 
• Reduces language barriers, which boosts conversion rates and leads to increased sales. 
• Sets your business apart from competitors who may not offer localized content, positioning you as a customer-centric option and giving you a competitive edge. 
• Shows respect and understanding for local cultures, building brand loyalty and enhancing trust among international customers. 
• Ensures legal compliance by meeting localization requirements in countries with language regulations for consumer-facing websites. 

How to Translate a Shopify Website 

Translating your Shopify website is a critical step towards engaging with non-English speaking audiences, but methods vary in complexity, cost, and effectiveness. Understanding the pros and cons of each option is essential for making an informed decision. Let's look at two popular approaches: 

Manual Translation through CSV Files 

One way to translate your website's text content is by exporting it into a CSV file, translating it, and then importing the file back into your Shopify store. This is a complex process that requires technical and linguistic expertise. It's effective, but expensive. 

Pros: 

• Control and Accuracy: Manual translation ensures that nuances and industry-specific terminology are correctly handled. 
• One-Time Effort: Once the translation is done, it does not require ongoing adjustments unless the original content changes. 

Cons: 

• Time-Consuming: The process can be slow and requires significant manual effort, especially for large websites. 
• Resource Intensive: You’ll need multilingual expertise, either through in-house translators or by allocating funds to hire professionals. 

Shopify’s Translate & Adapt App 

Another option is to install an app from the Shopify App Store, then use it to automatically translate your content or edit translations manually within the app interface. It's a straightforward process that provides a quick and generally effective translation solution but may lack the depth and accuracy of manual translation in some scenarios. Subscription fees for the app and additional costs for professional review or enhancement of automated translations may be required. 

Pros: 

• Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface integrates directly with Shopify, making it easy to manage and update translations. 
• Cost-Effective: Initial costs may be lower compared to manual translation, with options for automatic machine translation that can be refined manually. 
• Dynamic Updates: You can easily update translations as your store’s content changes. 

Cons: 

• Poor Quality Control: Automated translations may not always capture the correct context or nuances, potentially requiring manual adjustments. 
• Dependence on Inadequate Software: The app’s capabilities may be limited by the languages it supports or the quality of its machine translation, limiting its functionality. 

In the past, you would have had to consider your specific needs, budget, and the importance of accuracy versus speed in your market expansion strategy, then choose one of these methods accordingly. Not anymore.