How to Create a Multilingual Website on Squarespace

Can Squarespace Support Multiple Languages?

Yes, but Squarespace does not offer built-in multilingual support. Unlike some website builders that have native multilingual functionality, Squarespace requires manual setup or third-party integrations. However, you can still create a multilingual website using several workarounds:

1. Manual Page Duplication – Create separate pages for each language.

2. Subdomains or Separate Sites – Use a different domain/subdomain for each language.

3. Third-Party Translation Plugins – Services like Weglot or GTranslate automate translations.

4. Custom Language Switchers – Allow users to toggle between languages.

Each method has pros and cons, which we’ll explore below.

How to Create a Multilingual Website on Squarespace

1. Manual Page Duplication (Best for Small Sites)

This method involves creating separate versions of each page in different languages and linking them with a language menu switcher.

Steps to Set Up Manual Language Pages:

1. Duplicate Your Pages for Each Language:

   • Go to Pages > Duplicate Page and create a version for each language.

   • Example: If your homepage is "Home," create "Inicio" for Spanish, "Accueil" for French, etc.

2. Organize Pages into Folders:

   • Create folders named English (EN), Español (ES), Français (FR) in your Pages section.

   • Move translated pages into their respective folders.

3. Create a Custom Language Switcher:

   • Add a Navigation Link in the header that links to each language’s homepage.

   • Use text links (e.g., "EN | ES | FR") or flag icons in the header/footer.

4. Use Custom Code for Auto-Redirection (Optional):

   • If you want to detect a visitor’s browser language, add custom JavaScript in Settings > Advanced > Code Injection to redirect users to their preferred language automatically.

✅ Pros:

✔ Full control over translations.
✔ SEO-friendly (each language has its own page).

❌ Cons:

✖ Time-consuming for large sites.
✖ Needs manual updates for each translation.

2. Use a Subdomain or Separate Site (Best for Large Websites)

For businesses targeting different regions, using subdomains (e.g., es.yoursite.com, fr.yoursite.com) or separate Squarespace sites might be a better approach.

Steps to Set Up Language Subdomains:

1. Purchase Subdomains for Each Language

   • In Domains > Connect a Domain, add es.yoursite.com, fr.yoursite.com, etc.

2. Duplicate Your Main Site on Squarespace

   • Create a new Squarespace site for each language and manually copy content.

   • Example: yoursite.com (English), es.yoursite.com (Spanish).

3. Add a Language Switcher

   • Place a dropdown menu or flag icons linking to each language version.

✅ Pros:

✔ Ideal for SEO (localized URLs improve rankings).
✔ Perfect for businesses with country-specific content.

❌ Cons:

✖ Higher cost (each site may need a separate Squarespace plan).
✖ Content updates must be done manually on each site.

3. Use a Third-Party Translation Plugin (Best for Automation)

Squarespace supports third-party integrations like Weglot and GTranslate that automatically translate your site.

Steps to Use Weglot for Multilingual Squarespace:

1. Sign up at Weglot.com and choose a plan.

2. Copy your unique API key.

3. Go to Squarespace → Settings → Advanced → Code Injection.

4. Paste the Weglot script in the Header section.

5. A language switcher appears automatically on your site!

💡 GTranslate works similarly but offers a free version with Google Translate (less accurate).

✅ Pros:

✔ Fast and automatic translation.
✔ Requires minimal setup.
✔ Includes built-in language switchers.

❌ Cons:

✖ Machine translations may be inaccurate.
✖ Free plans often show branding.