Best practice for multilanguage website ( PHP feature based on Browser or Geolocalisation)

[johncurlee]

Hi Moz Experts

I would like to know what does it the best practice for multilanguage website for the default language ?

There are several PHP features to help users to get the right language when they come from SEO and direct; present the default language by browser language, by gelolocalisation, etc. However, which one is the most appropriate for Quebec company that try to get outside Canada ? PRO and CONS.

Thank you in advance.

[PatrickDelehanty]

Hi there

Look into hreflang attributes - if you have the same site with multiple languages, this is a best practice.

You can also look into setting up Webmaster Tool accounts for different sites (if they have different country codes or subdirectories) and geotarget those for the country they are supposed to appear to.

Does this help? Let me know - good luck!

[DirkC]

Not sure if you could really call it a best practice - but in Belgium (3 different languages) the normal configuration is not to determine the default language automatically but rather to present a first time visitor a "choose language" page and store the choice in a cookie for future visits. This is mainly for direct visits.

People coming in via search engines use queries in one of the languages, so normally Google will direct them to pages in that language. Again, on first time visit, the implicit choice of language is stored in a cookie.

All pages contain a link to switch to the other language(s) - which also changes the choice stored in the cookie.

Disadvantage of this system is that you add an additional layer to the site (choice of language) - advantage is that error margin is zero.

Systems which are based ip, browser language, ...etc are not 100% reliable - which could lead to unwanted results (in Belgium quite a sensitive issue if you server a Dutch page to a French speaking person - idem for French & Dutch speaking).

Hope this helps,

Dirk

[katemorris]

I built a tool to help people understand how to best go about international expansion. It's here: katemorris.com/issg

[johncurlee]

Thank you. So, I will need to add the hreflang for the first strategy.

For the Webmastertool, I'm not so sure, because we didn't have subdirectories. We have www.mycompany.com and www.mycompany.com/fr. So, actually, I have webmastertool for www.mycompany.com. However, we have a Google plus page, but we didn't have a Content marketing strategy.

that's all we have for the moment in place?

[johncurlee]

I love it Kate Moriss. it make it simple with the small questions.