Setting Up Multi-Language and Multi-Currency Stores in Magento 2

No Magento owner would like to regret an offering if he/she gets the opportunity to sell their products worldwide.

However, selling globally is not easy, as it requires some basic criteria to be fulfilled as the store must be in the respective countries’ languages and it must offer almost all payment gateways or options to purchase the product.

You can imagine yourself in a global marketplace where your online store speaks every customer’s language and displays prices in their local currency seamlessly.

Now that’s where the feature of Magento by installing a multi-language pack and making some changes in terms of multi-currency plays a role.

So in this guide, we’ll explore how to effectively set up and manage a truly global store using Magento 2 (Adobe Commerce).

Why Your Magento Store Needs Multi-Language and Multi-Currency Support

Magento Multi-Language Support

A multilingual online store allows you to reach a wider audience and enhance customer experience.

Here’s why it matters:

• It helps you expand your reach, thus assisting in attracting potential customers from different countries via your native language.
• No customer would like to purchase from a store whose language they can’t understand so when you utilize Magento with Magento’s multi-language package, customers are more likely to make a purchase when they understand product details and checkout options.
• You would be able to get a higher rank on the SERP as local language search engines favour websites in their respective languages, thus attracting more traffic.
• It also offers an over-the-top user experience because Magento provides built-in support for multiple languages, allowing users to switch languages effortlessly.

Most Magento stores operate with a single-store view in one language.

However, Magento by installing a multi-language pack lets you create separate store views for different languages, making your store more user-friendly and accessible.

Read More: Essential Benefits of Magento Customization: 5 Tips for Best Practices

Magento Multi-Currency Support

Customers prefer shopping in their local currency because it eliminates confusion and ensures pricing transparency.

Magento’s multi-currency feature provides several benefits:

• No issues related to any extra or hidden charges, as there wouldn’t be any foreign currency conversion fees, making them more confident to complete their purchases.
• Prices are displayed in round figures (e.g., 10 Euros), making customers easier to understand, and do a definite calculation for their purchases.
• Due to the availability of flexible payment options, customers can easily pay using their preferred payment methods and bank transfers.
• Displaying prices in local currency prevents last-minute dropouts due to currency conversion concerns.
• You would be able to build long-term trust and credibility, as buyers feel more comfortable when they can pay in their currency, increasing repeat purchases.

Magento 2 Multi-Language Store Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Step 1: Install Magento Language Packs

To support Magento install multiple languages pack by using the below process:

1. Visit the Magento-l10n repository to find available language packs.
2. Download and install the required Magento language pack using Composer or a manual method.
3. Clear the Magento cache and copy the Magento language pack to the Magento directory.

Step 2: Create Store Views for Each Language

Magento 2 allows you to create separate store views for different languages.

1. Add a New Store View

1. Navigate to Admin Panel > Stores > All Stores.
2. Click Create Store View.
3. Enter the required details:
   • Store: Select the main store.
   • Name: Enter a store view name (e.g., “French”).
   • Code: Assign a unique lowercase identifier (e.g., “French”).
   • Status: Enable the store view.
   • Sort Order: Set a position if needed.
4. Click Save Store View.

2. Configure Locale Settings

After creating a store view, configure its language:

1. Go to Admin Panel > Stores > Configuration.
2. Under Store View, select the newly created store view.
3. Expand the General section and go to Locale Options.
4. Choose the preferred language and click Save Config.

Step 3: Translate Store Content

Magento 2 uses CSV translation files to fully translate your store.

These files contain translated text for UI elements such as buttons and labels.

1. Download and install a Magento multi-language pack that includes CSV translation files.
2. Assign the correct store view to the installed language pack.
3. Magento will automatically integrate the translations into the respective store view.

Step 4: Configure Currency and Payment Options

1. Go to Admin Panel > Stores > Configuration > Currency Setup.
2. Choose the currencies you want to support and set conversion rates.
3. Enable the Magento 2 currency switcher so customers can select their preferred currency.

Step 5: Testing and Monitoring

Once the configuration is complete, testing and monitoring are crucial to ensure an uninterrupted user experience:

1. Check the store’s operations, including navigation, product search, and checkout process. Verify that currency and payment method switching works correctly.
2. Use analytics tools to track user behaviour, conversion rates, and bounce rates for each store view.
3. Identify and fix any issues while optimizing the store’s performance based on gathered data.

Magento 2 Currency Configuration

Other than Magento installing a multi-language pack manually, it also allows you to set up and manage multiple currencies for your store.

Moreover, there are three types of currencies you can configure:

• Base Currency – The currency used for product pricing in the backend.
• Display Currency – The currency shown on the front end for product prices.
• Allowed Currencies – A selection of currencies that customers can use to view product prices.

While the base currency is used globally or at the website level, the display and allowed currencies can be customized for individual store views.

Read More: The Future of E-commerce: Exploring the Advancements in Magento’s Latest Version

How to Change Currency in Magento 2

Updating your store’s currency settings is simple via the Magento 2 admin panel:

1. Visit Stores > Configuration in the admin panel.
2. Go to the general section, and under it, select Currency Setup.
3. Choose your preferred currencies for Base, Display, and Allowed options.
4. Click Save Config to apply the changes.

Setting Up Multi-Currency in Magento 2

Step 1: Enable Multiple Currencies

1. In the admin panel, go to Stores > Configuration > General > Currency.
2. In the Allowed Currencies field, select all the currencies you want to offer.
3. Click Save Config.

Common Error: “The default display currency you selected is not available in allowed currencies.”

Solution: Ensure the default currency is also listed in the Allowed Currencies field.

Suggested Reading: Magento 2 CLI Commands Every Developer Should Know

Step 2: Set Up Currency Exchange Rates

1. Navigate to Stores > Currency > Currency Rates.
2. Set exchange rates for all selected currencies based on the base currency.
3. Click Save Currency Rates to apply the changes.

Step 3: Customize Currency Symbols

Magento 2 uses standard currency symbols by default, but you can modify them:

1. Go to Stores > Currency > Currency Symbols.
2. Uncheck the Use Standard option for the currency you want to edit.
3. Enter a custom symbol or text.
4. Click Save Currency Symbols to finalize the update.

Final Thoughts

Through this blog, Rock Techies developers have tried their best to inform you of some valuable tips for optimizing your store for multi-language (via installing the Magento language pack) and multi-currency support.

In addition, you can reach a larger audience, improve your customer’s experience, and put their needs first.