How to Add a Language Switcher to Shopify Store

Adding multiple languages to your Shopify store allows you to reach a broader audience and improve customer experience.

Follow the steps below to set up multiple languages and add a language switcher (aka language selector) to your Shopify store.

Contents

• Requirements
• Add a new language
• Publish the language
• Add the language switcher

Requirements

Before you begin, ensure that your store meets the following requirements:

• You are on the Basic Shopify plan or higher.
• Your active theme is compatible with selling in multiple languages (all free Shopify themes are compatible).

Add a new language

Start by logging into your Shopify admin account. Once you’re in, please head over to the Settings section - you’ll find it in the lower-left corner of your screen.

Next, click on Languages. To add a new one, simply hit the Add a language button.

From the drop-down list, select the desired language and click Add.

If your store has more than one market, you will need to select a market before adding the language.

Publish the language

After adding the language, click on the three-dot menu next to it.

Select Publish to make the language available on your store.

Add the language switcher

In your Shopify admin, please go to Online Store and click on Customize next to your current theme.

1. On the customization page, look for the Footer section in the sidebar menu. Click on it to reveal its settings.
2. On the right-hand side of your screen, under Language selector section, you should see a switch Enable language selector. Switch it on to make it visible in your store’s footer.
3. Finally Save the changes.

Nice! The language switcher has been enabled. Visit your store to see if the language switcher has appeared in the footer.

If you want to add the language Switcher to the Header section, then follow the same procedure but click on the Header section in the sidebar menu.

Visit your store again and check the header section — the language switcher should be there.

If your theme does not provide a language switcher, please check this solution on how to add the language switcher code manually to your theme.

Congratulations! Customers from other countries can now easily navigate your store in their preferred language. Take a moment to review your store translations and make any necessary adjustments for a polished, professional look.

What is the next step? Install Shopify Translate & Adapt to further translate your store content.