This article is complete: Add a second (or more) language to the text visible to visitors.
The language list must be checked, see How to Configure Locales. Owners and editors can usually modify content translations; however, modifying the language list itself is still restricted to owners.
Common Practices
- First, write and publish the content completely in the default language.
- Switch to other language tabs at the top of the same screen.
- Fill in the title, body, buttons, etc. for that language. Unfilled fields will prompt in the backend to display the content in the main language.
- Save the content (each module has its own save/publish button).
You don't have to fill in every optional field; it's recommended to complete the title, navigation, main button, and form labels.
Entry Points
| What to Translate | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Site name, slogan, brand introduction | Basic Settings |
| Header menu, footer links, main button in header | How to Edit Menu |
| Display name/link text in contact bar | Contact and Social (Phone, email, and URL are shared across all languages, please set in default language) |
| Website pages, block text | Page details and Page Editor |
| News | How to Publish a News Article |
| Form field labels and options | How to Edit Form Fields |
| Custom content entries | How to Add and Publish Entries |
| Site-wide SEO title/description | Site-wide SEO Overview |
For products, booking items, etc., if the corresponding module is enabled, the edit page will also have language tabs.
When images also need to change language
If there is text in the image (e.g., title, step instructions), you can upload dedicated images for each language, see How to Change Images by Language.
How to Verify
- Switch to the second language on the front end, and check the homepage, a news article, contact form, and main menu.
- Untranslated fields should display the main language, not an empty button.
- Form submissions still go to the same inbox (field codes do not change with language).
Common Issues
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| The whole page is blank after switching languages | It may be that the page has not been published yet, or that language version/block has not been saved. Save the default language first and then switch. |
| The second language in the menu is still Chinese | The menu 'Display Text' has not been filled in for that language; this is expected fallback. |
| Category names are not translated | Go to the category management of that module and fill in the names for each language. |