· Cristina Ciolac · Shopify Tutorials  · 3 min read

How to Add a Language Switcher to Shopify Store

Add a language switcher (aka language selector) to the header or footer of your 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

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.

Shopify settings page

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

Shopify add language

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.

Shopify select language

Publish the language

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

Shopify click on meny

Select Publish to make the language available on your store.

Shopify publish language

Add the language switcher

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

Shopify Online Store

  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.

Shopify theme customization: enable language switcher in the footer

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

Shopify language switcher on the store 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.

Shopify theme customization: enable language switcher in the header

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

Shopify language switcher on the store header

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.

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