Setting Up a Multilingual Store in PrestaShop

A multilingual store in PrestaShop allows you to attract customers from different countries by offering content in their native language. This significantly increases the chances of successful sales and business expansion. In this article, we will look at how to set up a multilingual store in PrestaShop.

Step 1: Installing the Required Languages

Importing a Localization Pack

1. Log in to the PrestaShop admin panel.
2. Go to "International" > "Localization".
3. In the "Import a localization pack" section, select the desired language from the dropdown menu.
4. Click "Import". This will automatically add the language with basic translations, currencies, and tax rules for the selected country.

Manually Adding a Language

1. Go to "International" > "Localization" > "Languages".
2. Click the "Add new language" button.
3. Fill in the fields:
   • Language name: The name of the language (e.g., English).
   • ISO code: The standard ISO code for the language (e.g., en).
   • Language code: The browser language code (e.g., en-us).
   • Date format: The date display format (e.g., Y-m-d).
   • Flag: Upload an image of the language flag.
   • "No-picture" image: Upload an image to be displayed if no product image is available.
4. Click "Save".

Step 2: Translating Store Content

Translating Categories and Products

1. Go to "Catalog" > "Categories".
2. Open the category you want to translate.
3. At the top of the page, select the desired language.
4. Translate the category name and description.
5. Save the changes.

For products, the process is similar:

1. Go to "Catalog" > "Products".
2. Select the product you want to translate.
3. At the top of the page, select the desired language.
4. Translate the name, description, and other product information.
5. Save the changes.

Translating Texts and Messages

1. Go to "International" > "Translations".
2. Select the "Type of translation" (e.g., Theme translations or Module translations).
3. Select the theme or module you want to translate.
4. Select the language you want to translate into.
5. Translate the necessary strings and save the changes.

Step 3: Setting Up Currencies

1. Go to "International" > "Localization" > "Currencies".
2. Click "Add new currency".
3. Fill in the fields:
   • Currency: The name of the currency (e.g., US Dollar).
   • ISO code: The currency code (e.g., USD).
   • Exchange rate: The exchange rate relative to the default currency.
   • Symbol: The currency symbol (e.g., $).
4. Click "Save".

Step 4: Setting Up Geolocation

1. Go to "International" > "Localization" > "Geolocation".
2. Enable "Geolocation by IP address".
3. Configure the accessible countries by selecting the desired ones.

Step 5: Review and Testing

After setting up all the languages, translations, and currencies, it's important to check how your multilingual store works:

1. Switch to different languages on the website and ensure all translations are correct.
2. Check the currencies to ensure prices are displayed correctly.
3. Test the store's functionality to make sure everything works smoothly.

Conclusion

Setting up a multilingual store in PrestaShop is a powerful tool for attracting customers from different countries. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a convenient and user-friendly multilingual store that will help your business grow and thrive.