Do You Need a Multilingual Website?

When Do You Need a Multilingual Website?

It makes sense to have a multilingual website if you sell products or services internationally. Or if you’re a brand trying to expand to the global market. Let’s examine different scenarios:

Offering Services in Multiple Countries

A business consultant who provides services across Europe will encounter cultural nuances in each country. A multi-language website creates a sense of familiarity and trust. It’s the same feeling you get when, in a foreign country, a shopkeeper greets you in your native language.

Selling Products Internationally

A customer in Japan might be interested in your French-made products. They can’t understand the descriptions or navigate the site. It’s easy to go elsewhere. A version of the site in Japanese will be an incentive to purchase.

Blogging in Multiple Languages

Writing in multiple languages will increase your readership if you’re a blogger covering global topics or sharing travel experiences. Each language you add opens doors to new communities of readers. 

Expanding Market Presence

Suppose you run a fitness app and want to break into Latin America and Asia markets. Localizing your website shows potential users that you understand their specific needs.

Selling Software

In the software industry, your product can be downloaded anywhere in the world. With a multilingual website, users from Brazil to Germany can use your product. It’s like packaging a user manual in every language. You’ll be doing the same thing as sellers of physical products.

Expanding Audience Through Multilingual Websites

According to different studies, there is a discrepancy between the dominant languages of the internet and the languages most of the world population speaks. Simultaneously, there is huge growth in new web users that have a native tongue other than English.

Web Content Languages vs. Global Language Speakers

The top 10 million websites predominantly feature English content (53.0%). Spanish, Russian, and German hover around 5 – 4.6%. While English dominates online, only 18.8% of the world speaks it.

Hindi, Arabic, and Bengali have many global speakers but are underrepresented in web content. Mandarin, spoken by 13.8% of the population, has a minimal web presence. This gap suggests a vast potential for content in these languages.

As China expands its digital influence, the number of web pages in Mandarin Chinese will grow. With more internet access in India and Bangladesh, we anticipate a rise in Hindi and Bengali web content. The Arabic language also shows great growth potential. Asian and African languages, currently underrepresented online, may experience a surge as internet accessibility increases in these regions.

1. Horizontal Axis (Number of Internet Users) represents the current size of the online audience for each language. Languages further to the right have more internet users.
2. Vertical Axis (Potential for Expansion) indicates the percentage of the language-speaking population not yet online.
3. The position of each language shows both the current internet user base and the expansion potential.

According to Internet World Stats, English and Spanish have the largest online populations, but their expansion potential is relatively lower. While having a substantial number of internet users, French exhibits a higher potential for future growth. German indicates limited expansion potential but a strong existing user base. 

From 2020 to 2021, Mandarin Chinese experienced 2,650.4 % user growth, Portuguese 2,167%, Indonesian 3,356%, and Arabic staggering 9,348 %. At the same time, around 53 to 64 parentage of the population speaking these languages use the internet.

External percentages represent the number of internet users and external potential for expansion. Based on data from Internet World Stats.

Major languages like English, Chinese, and Spanish will immediately connect you with a vast portion of the online population. If you create content in Arabic and French, which have higher expansion potential, you’ll be prepared for emerging markets.

This strategy not only leverages the current distribution of internet users but also positions websites to adapt to future shifts in global internet demographics. You’ll ensure long-term relevance and reach.

Reducing Bounce and Localization

A multilingual website is not just about reaching a wider audience; it’s about engaging effectively. When visitors access content in their native language, they’re more likely to stay. It’s about respecting local customs and values and even understanding slang. An automated translation lacks this nuance and can miss the mark. Always consider the cultural context and avoid literal translations.

The importance of language in user engagement is evident from the CSA’s ‘Can’t Read, Won’t Buy’ study, which found that 72.1% of consumers primarily visit websites in their language. 

Better SEO Rankings

Multilingual websites have an advantage in SEO. Content in multiple languages can rank for a broader range of keywords. Since most web pages are in English, achieving higher rankings in non-English languages is often easier. You can even rank on the first page.

Higher Conversion Rates

CSA’s study shows that 65% of consumers are more likely to purchase when product information is in their native language. At the same time, 40% will not buy from websites in languages other than their own.

Branding and Cost-Effective Marketing

Having a multilingual website can enhance your brand image, making your business appear as a global player. It’s an efficient way to do marketing. SEO is 60% more cost-effective compared to other forms of advertising.