Magento 2 is a popular eCommerce platform that enables businesses to create and manage online stores with ease. It is an open-source platform that allows developers to customize and extend its functionalities based on the business requirements. One of the essential features of Magento 2 is its ability to support multilingual websites. In this article, we will explore how to configure Magento 2 for multilingual websites, including setting up language packs, creating and managing language-specific content, and enabling language switchers.
Table of Contents
Setting Up Language Packs
The first step in configuring Magento 2 for multilingual websites is to install and configure the required language packs. Magento 2 has built-in support for multiple languages, and you can easily install additional language packs from Magento Marketplace or other third-party sources. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Install A New Language Pack
Log in to your Magento 2 admin panel and go to System > Marketplace. Search for the language pack you want to install, and click the Install button. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Step 2: Configure Language Options
After you have installed the language pack, go to Stores > Configuration > General > Locale Options. Select the language you want to set as the default store view and save the configuration. Next, go to Stores > Configuration > General > Country Options and set the country for the selected language. Finally, go to Stores > Configuration > General > Currency Options and set the currency for the selected language.
Creating and Managing Language-Specific Content
Once you have set up the language packs, the next step is to create and manage language-specific content. Magento 2 allows you to create different versions of pages, blocks, and products for each language. Here’s how to create and manage language-specific content:
Step 1: Create Store Views
Go to Stores > Settings > All Stores and click Create Store View. Enter the store view name and select the language you want to create the store view for. Save the store view.
Step 2: Create Language-Specific Content
Now that you have created the store view, you can create language-specific content for your website. For example, you can create pages, blocks, and products in the selected language. To create a new page, go to Content > Pages and click Add New Page. Enter the page title, URL key, and select the store view for the page. You can then add content to the page in the selected language.
Step 3: Manage Content
To manage the language-specific content, go to Content > Pages, Content > Blocks, or Catalog > Products and select the store view for the content you want to manage. You can then edit or delete the content in the selected language.
Enabling Language Switchers
Enabling language switchers is essential to allow users to switch between different languages on your website. Magento 2 allows you to create language switchers in different locations, such as the header, footer, or sidebar. Here’s how to enable language switchers:
Step 1: Create a Language Switcher Block
Go to Content > Blocks and click Add New Block. Enter the block title and add the following code in the content field:
{% block _language }{% include 'Magento_Store::switch/languages.phtml' %}{% endblock %}
Save the block.
Step 2: Add the Language Switcher to Your Theme
To add the language switcher to your theme, go to Content > Widgets and click Add Widget. Select CMS Static Block as the widget type, and select the block you created in the previous step. Choose the location (header, footer, or sidebar) for the language switcher and save the widget.
Step 3: Enable Language Switchers for Store Views
Finally, go to Stores > Configuration > General > Locale Options and select the store view you want to enable the language switcher for. Set the Display Language Switcher option to Yes and save the configuration.
Conclusion
Setting up Magento 2 for multilingual websites requires configuring language packs, creating and managing language-specific content, and enabling language switchers. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can enable your Magento 2 store to support multiple languages and reach global audiences.