How to create a multi-language app ?

Just like you should ask yourself whether you need an app in the first place, even if it seems obvious to you, take the time to ask yourself why do you think you need a multi-language app. Making an app is a lot of work to start with, maintaining a multi-language app is twice the amount of work.

When you’ve made up your mind, here’s what you should consider before getting any further: 
- How do you want to achieve it? 
- What are your expectations in terms of user experience?
- How do you intend to promote it?

There are several ways you can achieve multi-language. Of course it all starts with a translation endeavor, which, depending on your app’s content can be quite time consuming. Once you have this covered, one of the options out there is localization. Thanks to that technology, the app can detect the native language of the user's device and automatically display it. This solution is optimal if you are looking to internationalize your app on a large scale, that is make your app available in say over 10 languages.

This feature isn’t supported by our app builder but, if you are looking to make your app multi-language friendly on a smaller scale we have two solutions you can work with:

- Create several content sections under one Menu section per language. 

For teams managing app content across markets, tools like Lara Translate  help translate articles, product information, and in-app content.

- Create one app per language 

In terms of visibility and App Store Optimization , depending on your project, having one app per language can be an asset to better position yourself in the stores search engines. In that case, we grant a 50% discount on each language declination, on the basis of your initial subscription for your first application.

This topic kind of brings us back to our first point. It is one thing to have an app available in several languages, but it’s better to be able and promote it to all the markets you are targeting. This can be achieved if you have the knowledge or team to reach out in all the languages you are providing. 

But, if you are relying on third-party services to translate your content, it will be more difficult to find the resources to market your app in the said languages. As a result, it might not get the exposure you were hoping for, at the risk of your efforts going unnoticed. 

In the end, it all boils down to having a clear vision for your app. Whether you want to make your app multi-language is an aspect that you should have in mind from the start, before creating your app , since it will impact your decision when choosing an app builder , as well as your marketing strategy .