Professional Website Translation and Localisation
Your website in any language, with multilingual SEO and cultural adaptation
Request a Free QuoteA website available in only one language limits the reach of your business. According to the Can't Read, Won't Buy study by CSA Research, 65% of consumers prefer content in their native language and 40% refuse to buy from a website that is not in their language. At M21Global, we translate and localise websites so that each market receives a native experience — from visible content to meta tags, from forms to checkout.
Professional website translation goes far beyond text conversion. It involves the adaptation of cultural elements, date and currency formats, units of measurement, legal references and tone of voice. That is why we distinguish between translation and localisation: translation ensures linguistic accuracy; localisation ensures the user feels the website was created for them.
All our web translation projects comply with the ISO 17100 standard, with native translators in the target language and specialist reviewers. For projects with a technical component — CMS integration, handling localisation files or configuring hreflang — our team works in coordination with our specialists in technology and software translation, ensuring that no technical detail is lost in the process.
What We Translate: Platforms and Technologies
We work with all content management platforms and web frameworks on the market. In WordPress, we export and reimport content via WPML, Polylang or .po/.pot files, preserving shortcodes, Gutenberg blocks and Elementor templates. In Shopify, we translate themes, product descriptions, checkout pages and transactional notifications, keeping the Liquid structure intact.
For Magento/Adobe Commerce and WooCommerce stores, we handle extensive catalogues, product attributes, market-specific pricing rules and CMS content. We also translate websites built on Drupal, Joomla, Wix and Squarespace, adapting the workflow to each platform's export system.
In modern web applications using React, Vue.js, Angular or Next.js, we work directly with localisation files (.json, .ts, .yaml) and i18n libraries such as react-intl, vue-i18n or next-intl. We preserve variables, pluralisations, interpolations and context — the translation never breaks the code.
For custom websites in PHP, Python (Django, Flask) or .NET, we analyse the existing internationalisation architecture and integrate into the workflow, whether working with .resx, .po or proprietary message catalogue files.
Localisation vs. Translation: The Difference That Converts
Translation converts words from one language to another. Localisation adapts the entire user experience so that the user feels the website was designed for their market. They are complementary but distinct processes, and both are essential for a website's international success.
Cultural adaptation: Images, colours, icons, examples and references that work in one country may not have the same impact in markets such as Germany, Japan or Brazil. We analyse every visual and textual element and recommend adjustments where necessary. A "Buy Now" button may need a different tone; a seasonal campaign may not make sense in the southern hemisphere.
Local formats: Currencies (EUR, $, GBP, JPY), date formats (DD/MM/YYYY vs. MM/DD/YYYY), decimal separators (comma vs. full stop), units of measurement (km vs. miles), telephone and address formats — all of these elements need to be adapted. A price displayed in the wrong format immediately generates distrust.
Integrated multilingual SEO: Localisation includes keyword research in the target market. The terms that drive traffic in one country are not the same as those that work in another. We translate meta titles, meta descriptions, image alt text, URLs and headings with the right keywords for each market, maximising organic visibility.
Technical Process: Formats and Implementation
The technical success of a website translation depends on mastery of file formats and internationalisation standards. At M21Global, our technical team works natively with all industry-standard formats.
Supported formats: .po/.pot (WordPress, gettext), .json (React, Vue, Angular), .xliff/.xlf (OASIS, iOS), .properties (Java), .resx (C#/.NET), .strings (iOS/macOS), .xml (Android), .arb (Flutter/Dart), .yaml (Ruby on Rails), .ts (Qt), .html, .csv and .xlsx for tabulated content. We preserve keys, variables, placeholders and pluralisation rules — the translated file is immediately usable.
Hreflang implementation: We configure or validate hreflang tags (link rel="alternate" hreflang="xx") in HTML, HTTP headers or XML sitemaps, depending on the website architecture. This ensures Google displays the correct version to each user and avoids duplicate content penalties.
URL structure: We advise on the best strategy — subdomains (fr.example.com), subdirectories (/fr/) or ccTLDs (example.fr) — taking into account the client's technical profile, budget and SEO objectives. We translate URL slugs when the CMS allows it, avoiding mixed URLs that harm the user experience and ranking.
Multilingual SEO: Visibility in Every Market
Translating a website without optimising for search engines in each market is wasting the investment. At M21Global, multilingual SEO is an integral part of the web translation service, not an optional extra.
Market-specific keyword research: Before translating, we identify the search terms with the highest volume and relevance in each language and market. "Certified translation" in the UK is not searched in the same way in the US ("notarized translation") or in Spain ("traduccion jurada"). This research informs the entire translation — from H1/H2 headings to paragraph content.
Optimised meta tags: We translate and optimise meta titles (up to 60 characters), meta descriptions (up to 155 characters) and image alt text with natural keywords for each market. We do not produce literal translations of meta tags — we produce SEO copywriting in the target language.
Multilingual sitemap and indexing: We validate the inclusion of all language versions in the XML sitemap with cross-referenced hreflang entries. We check indexing in Google Search Console and identify coverage, canonical or hreflang errors that may be limiting visibility.
Measurable results: After implementation, our clients typically see an increase in organic traffic in the new markets of between 30% and 200% in the first 6 months, depending on the sector and local competition.
How It Works: 5 Steps to a Multilingual Website
Our website translation process is designed to minimise disruption on your side and maximise the quality of the result. Every project follows five structured phases:
1. Analysis and Audit: We analyse the complete website — content volume, page architecture, CMS platform, dynamic features (forms, e-commerce, client areas) and current state of internationalisation. We identify technical challenges before starting and define the exact scope of the project.
2. Quotation and Planning: Based on the analysis, we present a detailed quotation per language, with a delivery schedule and identification of allocated resources. For large-scale projects, we propose phased deliveries by website section. The quotation is fixed — no surprises.
3. Translation and Localisation: Native translators in the target language, with experience in the client's sector, translate the content. We use translation memories (TM) and terminology databases to ensure consistency throughout the entire website. Marketing content undergoes transcreation where necessary — creative adaptation, not literal translation.
4. Review and Technical QA: A second linguist reviews the entire translation (four-eyes principle, in accordance with ISO 17100). In parallel, the technical team verifies the integrity of files, tags, variables and formatting. We test internal links, forms and navigation flows in the translated version.
5. Delivery and Support: We deliver the files ready for import or, when agreed, implement them directly in the client's CMS. We provide post-delivery support for adjustments, content updates and ongoing maintenance of the multilingual version.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost depends on the content volume (word count), the number of target languages, the technical complexity of the platform and additional services such as multilingual SEO. A 20-page corporate website has a different cost from an online store with 5,000 products. Request a free quote — we analyse your website and present a detailed proposal within 24 hours.
The timeframe varies according to volume and complexity. A corporate website of 15-30 pages typically takes 5 to 10 working days per language. Online stores with thousands of SKUs can take 3 to 6 weeks. In all cases, we propose a schedule before starting and offer phased deliveries so you can publish translated content progressively.
Yes. We work with the platform's localisation files (not screenshots or PDFs), so the translated content fits exactly into the same visual structure as the original. When a translation is longer than the source text (common in languages such as German or French), we flag cases where there may be a layout impact so the design team can make the necessary adjustments.
We work with WordPress (WPML, Polylang, TranslatePress), Shopify, Magento/Adobe Commerce, WooCommerce, Drupal, Joomla, Wix, Squarespace, Webflow and custom platforms. We also work with frameworks such as React, Vue.js, Angular and Next.js, integrating with the project's i18n libraries. If your platform is not listed, contact us — we have most likely already worked with it.
Yes, and we consider it indispensable. Translating a website without SEO optimisation for each market drastically limits the return on investment. We conduct keyword research per language and market, optimise meta tags, configure hreflang and validate the indexing of each language version. The aim is for every version of the website to have organic visibility in its market.
Yes. We translate product descriptions, attributes, categories, checkout pages, transactional emails, return policies and terms and conditions. For stores with thousands of SKUs, we use translation memories and batch processing to ensure terminological consistency and meet deadlines. We also adapt prices, currencies and address formats for each market.
Translation converts text from one language to another, preserving the original meaning. Localisation goes further: it adapts currencies, date formats, units of measurement, cultural references, images, tone of voice and even features (e.g. local payment methods). In practice, a complete multilingual website project includes both processes. At M21Global, all web projects include localisation as part of the service.