How to set the language in Shopify

To change the language for Shopify or create an additional language, you can manage and add additional languages in the Shopify admin area under Settings > Languages.

In this blog post, we explain exactly how to change a language, how to change the texts in it, and what to do if there is no language version for your language yet. The Shopify frontend is multilingual and offers two ways to set the language. We also show you the advantages of multilingualism in online stores.

How can I change the language in Shopify?

In Shopify, you can set a language at two levels—once for your admin backend (so you can use Shopify in your preferred language) and once for your online store (so customers can see the content in that language).

1. Change language for the admin area (user interface)

• Log in to the Shopify admin.

• Click your profile picture or name in the top right corner, then click Account.

• Under Language, select the desired language from the drop-down menu.

2. Change the language via Settings (Languages)

• Open the Shopify admin area.

• Click on “Settings” in the lower left corner.

• Click on “Languages.”

• Manage and add the desired languages.

3. Change the language via the settings (checkout)

• Open the Shopify admin area.

• Click on “Settings” in the lower left corner.

• Click on “Checkout.”

• Scroll down and click on “Manage checkout language.”

• You will then be taken to step 4, as described above.

Advantages of multilingualism in online shops

Implementing multilingualism in your store can bring you many benefits, such as:

• Stronger customer loyalty through personalized communication in the customer's native language.

• Higher conversion rates because customers understand content better and gain confidence.

• Improved competitiveness against international competitors.

• Optimized user experience (UX) thanks to language- and culture-appropriate design.

• Expansion of the target market without physical location expansion.

• Flexibility in marketing campaigns for different countries and regions.

• Fewer abandoned purchases in the checkout process thanks to clear language.

• Easier brand positioning in new markets.

• Strengthened brand loyalty by taking cultural nuances into account.

• Synergy with international SEO to rank organically in other language markets.

Translate Shopify: How to achieve multilingualism with Shopify

We have already explained how to change the language of your store. But how do you ensure multilingualism in your store, for example, if you need a Shopify store in English? Shopify offers numerous apps in the app store for this implementation, such as Shopify Translate & Adapt or Langify. With these apps, the content can be automatically translated into the appropriate language.

Translate & Adapt

The Shopify app Translate & Adapt is a free solution from Shopify that allows you to make your store multilingual and adapt content to different markets.

Features & benefits:

• Manual translations

• Automatic translation

• Market-specific adaptation (Adapt)

• Supports multilingualism in the frontend

• Free and developed directly by Shopify (therefore highly compatible)

• Easy to use – no coding required.

• Perfect complement to Shopify Markets for international expansion

• Supports SEO-friendly language versions (separate URLs per language, e.g., /en/, /fr/)

Pricing:

• Free

Langify

Langify is a paid Shopify app that enables stores to offer multilingual services. Unlike Shopify Translate & Adapt, Langify is developed by a third-party provider and offers advanced features that are particularly useful for more complex translation requirements.

Features and benefits:

• Manual translations

• Automatic translations

• SEO optimization

• Import/export

• Language switcher

• Automatic redirection

• Extensive control over translations, even for larger stores

• Flexibility through media translations

• Works independently of the Shopify theme

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Free

• Basic Plan: $17.50/month

• Growth Plan: $29.95/month

• Premium Plan: $59.95/month

Conclusion

The Shopify themes are usually already provided in several languages and often the German translation is already done. Most paid themes from other providers are also available in German, but not always completely translated. Here, however, you can then do the translation manually by following the steps above and then entering your translations in the right column. You can also edit this column for predefined translations to save your own translation.