A multilingual website set up in Drupal helps us get exposure to a global online marketplace and allows businesses to reach different cultural audiences by presenting content in multiple languages. In this blog, we will discuss the detailed process of configuring a multilingual site on Drupal.
Tips for Creating Multilingual Sites on Drupal
While creating a multilingual Drupal Website, there are some key aspects to remember; here are some tips:
- Version– Choosing a Drupal version that offers multilingual support. Drupal 8 and later versions provide built-in tools for multilingual support.
- URL structure– You should decide how URLs are organised for different language versions. One can choose between one URL for each language version, like /en for English, /fr for French or can make use of a subdomain.
- Content management– Ensure that all website content is accessible in multiple languages by using automated content translation tools from Google Translate API and manual translation.
- Metatags and SEO– Optimise metatags for each language version to improve your website’s visibility.
- Testing– Remember to test your website thoroughly and ensure everything works correctly in different language versions. Always pay special attention to possible changes in page layout due to differences in word and sentence length between languages to avoid incorrectly displayed content.
Advantages of Creating Multilingual Drupal Websites
There are a few reasons why Drupal is a perfect solution for multilingual websites:
Support for Multiple Languages– Drupal offers support for multi-language, so you don’t have to install translation modules or extensions. You can enable the multilingual feature and start adding new languages.
Translations—Drupal has a management system in place that allows for website content translation. This includes the user interface, content, and the administration panel.
Easy Switching—Drupal has an inbuilt language switcher that allows visitors to quickly switch between language versions. You can place it anywhere on the website.
SEO– Drupal allows SEO-friendly URLs for multilingual sites, and that can set separate URLs for each language version.
Scalability– Drupal supports flexible structure and even the largest and most complex multilingual website.
Adding New Language and Configuring Translations
This section will explain how to add new languages to your Drupal website and configure translations in the admin panel.
Translation Modules
Since version 8, Drupal has several built-in multilingual modules, including Language, Content, Configuration, and Interface translations. Language is essential for websites without English as the base language; content translation allows for content translation, Configuration translation translates admin panel configuration, and Interface translation handles user interface translation.
Adding New Language
Go to Configuration -> Region and language -> Languages. You should see a list of previously installed languages.
Adding a new language to Drupal
Click Add Language to add a new language.
New language
Select a language from the list and click Add language. If it’s not on the list, you can add it manually by selecting Custom Language.
Adding a custom language
After clicking Add Custom Language, the translation starts downloading. Then, you will be redirected to the installed languages list, where you will see the message.
Language Switcher
Now head to Structure -> Block layout. Click Place block and search for a new language switcher block:
How to enable the language switcher
Website Elements Configuration
To translate page elements such as content types, taxonomy dictionaries, or user profiles, go to Configuration -> Region and language -> Content language and translation:
Website elements translation
In Custom language settings, choose which sections should have more language options. The settings for each section are below. In the Translatable section, check the box next to them.
Content Translation
Now that you have learned how to add a language and configure translations in Drupal, let’s move on to content translation.
Create New Content or Edit an Existing Page
Go to the Content tab, then choose the Translate option in the Operations section.
Translating the content
Select a Language
After clicking Translate, you will see a list of all the languages. Notice that the Spanish language we added has not yet been translated. Now click Add to create the translation.
Select the language
Add Translated Content to the Appropriate Fields
In the last step, add translated content and save changes:
Add translated content
Configuration Translation
To translate the interface in the admin panel, head to Configuration -> Region and Language -> Configuration translation.
Translating the configuration
The list shows all the page configuration elements that can be translated. To translate a sample section, click the List button assigned to the section, and then select the element by clicking Translate.
List of blocks
Select the language you want to edit content, then click Save translation.
Edit the translation
SEO Optimization for Multilingual Sites
SEO Optimization for a multilingual Drupal website requires considering different factors affecting page visibility for other languages. Here are some key aspects to focus on.
URLs for Different Language Versions
Your website needs to have a properly structured URL system for every language version it contains. Drupal provides URL configuration tools which enable you to build human-friendly URLs for every language version
Meta Tags for Each Language
Correct meta tags of meta title and description and keywords for each language version help a website achieve better visibility. The "hreflang" attribute provides advantages to multilingual websites because it tells search engines about the different language versions of the site which improves SEO performance. It should be placed in the link section.
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="pl" href=”https://xyz.com/pl/” />
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href=”https://xyz.com” />
Creating Sitemaps for Different Language Versions
Create separate sitemaps for each language version and register them in webmaster tools like Google Search Console. This will ensure easy indexing of all language versions.
Avoiding Content Duplication
Content duplication across various language versions should be avoided because it creates negative effects on your website's search engine optimization results. Follow canonicity rules and keep your content unique in each language version.
Monitoring and Analyzing the Results
Google Analytics allow you to track SEO performance for various language versions on an ongoing basis—You should review data about organic site visits and user actions and conversion success to improve your optimization work.
Summary
The creation of a multilingual Drupal website presents challenges which can be quickly and effectively addressed through adequate resources and proper guidance. Drupal specialists provide valuable assistance during website development. The guide explains the steps needed to establish multilingual Drupal websites which involve system setup as well as language settings and content translation management. Modify these instructions to fit the goals and requirements of your particular website.
