How to Make a Multilingual Website with Webnode
June 29th, 2026
With website localization, you adapt your site’s content to the language and culture of your target market. If any of the following goals sound like you, creating a multilingual website (with Webnode) is essential:
- I want to grow my customer base.
- I’d like to increase my website traffic.
- My content should be globally relevant.
- I want to sell my products internationally.
Website localization goes beyond simple translation. It includes market research, multilingual SEO, and appropriate translation management tools.
With Webnode, you can create your website in different languages. Follow our step-by-step guide to see exactly how it works and discover the benefits of offering your website, blog, or online store in multiple languages.
Index
- What is a multilingual website
- Benefits of multilingual websites
- How Webnode handles multilingual websites
- How to create a multilingual website with Webnode
- How to do SEO for multilingual Websites
- Multilingual websites – best practices
- How much a multilingual website with Webnode costs
- FAQs
What is a Multilingual Website
A multilingual website offers the same content in multiple languages, allowing users to view pages in their preferred language. Creating one, you need two core things:
- A website builder or CMS that supports multilingual functionality
The website builder manages the site structure, creates separate language versions of pages, handles multilingual URLs, and provides a language switcher so visitors can easily change languages.
- The content translation
Depending on how quickly you need the translation and which language the content is being localized into, this is done either through a professional translator or by an AI translation tool.
Webnode website builder supports multilingual functionality, letting you translate the content yourself, with professional help, or with Webnode’s AI Assistant.
The Benefit of Having a Website in More than One Localization
Let’s take a closer look at some benefits:
High-quality content and improved SEO
Reading or speaking another language is like seeing things from different perspectives. When you write in another language, you’re addressing a different audience. This makes your content feel more personal and therefore more valuable to your visitors.
For example, a French customer will feel far more comfortable reading about your story, products, and offers in French rather than in English. Thus, your message will be easier to understand and more persuasive.
By offering content in multiple languages, you naturally broaden the range of keywords you can rank for. An e-bike, for example, can appear not only for searches like “electric bikes,” but also for “vélos électriques.”
Search engines also tend to prioritize regionally optimized content over simple auto-translations or single-language websites, giving multilingual websites a clear advantage in local search results.
Greater reach – more traffic
Next to English, Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, and Arabic are the five most spoken languages. Logically, a multilingual website is accessible to more people. When more people understand your content, they’re more likely to stay on your site and share it. As a result, your traffic can grow significantly.
Tip: English is often the starting point for global reach but it’s not the only one. If you want to attract a worldwide audience, consider offering your content in at least two more widely spoken languages.
More (potential) customers
Adding a new language to your website opens the door to a new country—and a new market. Imagine you run a business in Maine and ship internationally to Canada. Your neighbours will appreciate engaging with your brand in French, too.
Every visitor is much more likely to become a customer if you communicate in their language. It affects the entire customer journey.
Stronger trust
Studies have shown that 76% of consumers whose first language is not English will not purchase if the shop is not in their language. Speaking the language of your audience shows:
- Attention
- Appreciation
- Respect
- Commitment
When people feel understood and respected, they’re far more likely to trust you.
With languages, you are at home anywhere.
— Edmund de Waal
How Webnode Handles Multiple Languages
Webnode manages localized websites in the following ways:
1. Generates a new website version
When you create a second language in the Webnode website editor, it copies your existing content into new pages of your website. The copies include translated template elements, such as the page URL, page names, and the navigation line based on the template pages. Furthermore, they keep the same web design and layout as the original language.
It is important to know that Webnode does not translate written text, headings, subheadings, image descriptions, or buttons.
You need to translate the page content yourself, either with a professional translator or with Webnode’s AI Assistant.
2. Considers Browser language
The website detects the visitor’s browser language and automatically displays the same language version. If that language is not present on the website, it falls back to the site’s primary language. By default, Webnode uses the language you initially set for your website as the primary language. If you like, you can change it later in the website settings.
3. Introduces a distinct URL structure
The website URL is automatically added to each page in a different language, for example, mydomainname.com/es and mydomainname.com/es-about. You can fully customize the URL of each page and optimize it for search engines.
Spanish navigation line in Webnode CMS for B&B example website.
Note that Webnode creates subdirectories for your pages in different languages. This means Webnode keeps your domain extension and page structure, which simplifies indexing your site for search engines.
4. Website builder with built-in language switcher
Webnode automatically adds a language switcher to the website header and footer on all pages to enhance the user experience.
5. Automatically includes hreflang tags
Webnode automatically includes the hreflang tag in its code for your new language pages.
The hreflang tag is information in the website code, which tells search engines separate language versions of a website exists. It ensures that the correct language version appears in search results.
Webnode’s implementation of the hreflang tag for the B&B example website. The code view is achieved with a right click anywhere on the open website and selecting “inspect”.
You can check whether the hreflang tag exists with Hreflang Checker.
How to create a multilingual website with Webnode Website Builder
Depending on the source, the cost of localizing a medium-sized website ranges from 1000 to 3000 USD when translated into 2 to 3 more languages.
The good news? You do not need to invest in any translation service or extra software, because the multilingual feature in Webnode’s website builder automatically generates all your existing page structure and design into your additional language versions.
All you need is a Premium Plan Standard or higher to run your website in two or more languages and follow this step-by-step guide:
1. Create your primary language website first
Build the website in your primary language first by starting it on the US Webnode Portal. The AI Website builder will speed up this process and generate all necessary pages, including text and image content, according to your prompt. Publish your website.
2. Activate your Premium Plan
If you haven’t already, now is the time to upgrade your website to a Premium Plan, Standard or higher.
Not sure which plan to choose? Have a look at the decision chart to help you decide which functions you need most:
Tip: If you aim to introduce your business to several markets and don’t know where to start, begin by localizing for one new language version first, and add other localizations as needed.
3. Add the multilingual feature
- Navigate to settings in the editor, choose “LANGUAGES”, and add your second website localization by clicking on “ADD NEW LANGUAGE”.
- Select the tick box to copy all existing content to the new language pages:
The multilingual website builder copies the entire structure of your existing website into the second language. Click “OK” to complete this step.
You can edit the language pages by switching the button in the CMS dashboard’s top menu. Equally, you can add new pages to your language version by selecting the language from the list in the PAGES menu and clicking on “Add page”:
Adding a new page for specific language versions in the page menu.
4. AI translation for multilingual websites
Webnode website builder copies the page structure and changes URLs and page titles. It does not yet change headings, the text, image descriptions, and other pages’ content. Here, Webnodes AI Assistant comes in handy. Utilize the AI Assistant to translate paragraphs, headlines, and blog text individually. The Assistant is part of the Standard and higher plan features.
English landing page of an example B&B in the Webnode editor with introductory text.
Translating example text from English to French with the AI Assistant.
Translated results from English to French in Webnode CMS
5. Publish your site
Click on “PUBLISH” to get your new language site online. Once your site is published, you will notice that URL in the second language will end with /fr for French, /es for Spanish, depending on the localization added.
Published version in French. Visitors can select their language at the top right of the header.
In the mobile version of your website, you find the language switcher in the hamburger menu:
Language switcher on the mobile version.
If you like to change the appearance of the header, click on the white gear wheel to the right of your nav line and open the “Additional Panel Settings”:
Additional panel settings to change the website header.
Tip: Similarly, you can add social media icons or your contact information to your header. It helps people connect with you at once, rather than having to scroll to the footer or click through all your pages.
In addition, the footer of each page displays the language versions more discreetly:
Different language versions in the footer of the published page.
You can fully edit the footer to your needs. The footer partially mirrors the navigation menu, as it serves as a reminder and provides information, such as your contact data.
Tip: The footer supplements your navigation menu. Put your adequately translated legal information or link to your certificates here to testify to your competence and increased credibility.
Multilingual website SEO
Your website localization is almost complete. The next step? Multilingual SEO. It requires setting up your new language content so that each page URL, header, text, blog, video, and photo matches your new audience’s search request and intent.
On Page SEO
We recommend you begin by adjusting all SEO settings in your second localization. Here, make sure each page has a specific keyword that reflects its content in that language. This keyword then ideally should show up in the:
- Page URL
- Page Title
- Text
Adding the page title and page address into Webnode SEO settings for the French version of an example B&B website.
Links, Images, and buttons
If you use external links, replace them with links to sources in your second language.
Adjust all image descriptions, alt tags, and file names to the new language. If your graphics include text, localize these images too.
Sure, most cultures read from left to right, but for some, that’s not the case, and this also changes the position of buttons, not just their text. Buttons guide the website visitor to the next step and prompt action; thus, they are crucial for your conversions.
Tip:
Localized SEO is all about refining your wording to match the language of your new audience. Their culture, expressions, sayings, and the way they ask questions about a topic may differ from region to region. Shopping preferences and behavior differ. All of this is equally important for making your content valuable, interesting, entertaining, and easy to follow.
You may want to consider reshaping your content to better address the topics, questions, or solutions relevant to your new pages. We suggest starting with a thorough analysis of your new market, followed by keyword research, before refining your text and finalizing your on-page SEO. This approach can help ensure everything fits together smoothly and effectively.
Getting your multilingual Website indexed faster with the Google Search Console
While it is not crucial to submit your different language versions of your website into the Google Search Console (GSC), it can help search engines discover your multilingual pages faster.
The general rule is simple: If you have already verified your website with GSC (Google Search Console), Google recognizes your different language versions through the hreflang tags embedded in the code.
This is especially true for multilingual websites created with Webnode, because these all run on the same domain. Once your main website (like mywebsitename.com/ ) is verified and indexed, the subdirectories (such as mywebsitename.com/fr, mywebsitename.com/es) will automatically be indexed.
Thus, you don’t need to submit your second and further language versions to the Google Search Console.
However, to help search engines discover your different language versions faster, it is recommended to submit your XML sitemap.
Run the URL-inspection in GSC, if you like an immediate scan of your newly added language pages on your website. This way you let Google know about your updates.
Multilingual websites – best practices
To better manage your multilingual website content, let’s go through things that people tend to miss out when creating a multilingual website:
Translating all pages and user flows
Translating all your website content, from the moment a customer arrives until checkout, can really make your site feel more unified and trustworthy. Remember to include translations for all legal pages, forms, emails, and other support communications.
Let machines translate everything
Auto-translation can produce awkward wording. It might not convey the nuances of the language necessary to address your audience. Let a native speaker proofread your text.
Testing your pages by native speakers.
Having a native speaker review your pages will give you valuable feedback and improve user experience.
Localization beyond translation
Dates, units, formats, payment methods, addresses, and phone numbers should all be aligned with your target region to avoid confusion. The same considerations apply to idioms, humor, and tone, as they can vary widely across diverse cultures. Being mindful of these differences helps ensure your message resonates warmly and clearly with your audience.
Local and multilingual SEO
Using specific keywords for each language, localizing all page titles, URLs, adding translated metadata, alt text and schema markup to your pages is crucial for being seen online.
Correct hreflang tags
Luckily, with Webnode’s website builder, the correct hreflang tags are already set in the code, so you don’t need to worry about this part.
Using a poor URL structure
Give your website pages specific URLs, not just “mydomainname.com/fr/about”, use “mydomainname.com/fr/apropos”.
Language switcher
While you can set a primary language in Webnode that will be displayed if a website visitor has their browser set to none of the languages on your site, the primary language might still not be the right one for the user. Letting your visitors change the language on your site will enhance the user experience.
Inconsistent features across language versions
Missing blog posts, filters, or checkout options, or calls to action such as buttons in certain language versions. Again, this inconsistency damages your credibility.
Different UX and design
Using different fonts, accidentally using more space on some pages, or varying text placement can make the translated version feel unfinished.
Webnode’s multilingual website builder is very handy, as it copies the existing page layout 1:1 into the second language, so you only need to focus on the text. Even using a unique design, color background, or header image may confuse your visitors unless the design difference is intentionally localized for cultural reasons.
Tip: Some languages need more text space than others. To avoid unwanted text expansion that could break a section’s layout, keep it as concise as possible.
Typography and not supporting RTL
Use fonts that support language-specific alphabets and a CMS compatible with right-to-left (RTL) languages. Webnode supports Arabic, Chinese, Urdu, and Hebrew scripts.
System messages
Translated error messages, cookie banners, pop-ups, and chatbots on your website will create a more pleasant user experience.
Inconsistent updates
Not updating both language versions at the same time or letting one version become outdated for an extended period while the other remains current, will ruin your local SEO.
Measuring multilingual performance
Include your language version in Google Analytics and check the statistics in Google Search Console. Without analysis, it is hard to measure your website’s success.
Assuming one translation fits all
Spanish varies between South America and Europe, while Dutch changes when spoken in Suriname or Belgium. Embracing these subtle differences can delight your users and give your local SEO a nice boost.
Multilingual support
Remember to incorporate multilingual support from the start, rather than leaving it as an afterthought. Localization should be a key part of your business plan, helping you connect better with a wider audience.
Launching without testing
Before you advertise or send links to your multilingual pages, make sure that:
- All internal links are working, and navigation is coherent.
- Forms are sent and answered correctly.
- All languages work on all devices equally.
- Features like search fields, checkout, etc., all work.
- You fine-tune all pages and their content for multilingual SEO.
How Much Does a Multilingual Website Cost
Webnode multilingual website pricing varies by plan. You can have a website in two languages for 24.90 USD per month with the Premium Standard Plan.
An unlimited number of languages is available with the Pro Plan for 37.90 USD per month or the Business Plan for 49.90 USD per month.
Note that you save up to 35% if you purchase Webnode’s yearly subscription.
FAQs
It depends on the premium package you choose. You can add one more language with the Premium Standard Package or have an unlimited number of languages with the Pro and Business Plan.
Webnode’s CMS and customer service support currently serves 24 different languages. However, on your website, you can add over 30 different languages.
No, you need to translate and fine-tune all text. You can, however, use the AI Assistant to help you with the translation and writing of text.
With Premium Standard, you can add one additional language version to your existing website. With the Pro Package, you can add as many localizations as you like.
Be aware that the final number of languages will also depend on the storage space your website uses.
You don’t have to translate page by page. In fact, to be more efficient with your multilingual website you created with Webnode, we recommend completing one language version first, then let the language function in the CMS copy your pages into your second language before finalizing it.
Just as you would go on about creating a multilingual website from the start, you add the language to the website settings.
Ideally. While keywords in your page URLs are not the primary ranking factor, a clean localized URLs bring significant advantages.
These will:
– show that your content is highly relevant to the user’s specific region and language, helping to reach the right audience.
– improve navigation through your pages and thus overall user experience (UX).
– increase your click through rates (CTR) from search results.
– make people stay longer on your pages and thus build trust.
Dorothea Eue, a creative person with a scientific and marketing background, likes to jump in the deep end, leaving no blank page for long. With her legal eye and strong research skills, she makes complex and complicated topics simple. She has been writing German and English copy for 5 years, appreciating the mix of creating infographics, tutorials, blog posts, and social media posts. When she is not typing, trail running or hiking fuels her to more actions.