A multilingual website is one site with a genuine page for each language you serve, not an English site with a translation widget bolted on. For a Richmond business, that typically means English plus Traditional or Simplified Chinese, and sometimes a short Tagalog or Punjabi section, all written by qualified translators and structured so search engines can find each version.
What this service is
We plan, build or restructure your website so each language lives at its own address and links to its counterparts. Google's documentation is direct about this: it recommends separate URLs for each language version, advises against automatically redirecting people based on a guessed language, and says it identifies a page's language from the visible content rather than from the lang attribute.
Two practical consequences follow. Each page should be in one language only, with no side-by-side English and Chinese paragraphs. And every page should offer a clear link to switch languages, because the visitor, not a script, should decide.
Who it is for
This service fits Richmond businesses that already receive, or plan to receive, enquiries in more than one language. Examples include a home-service company whose multilingual ads currently send visitors to English pages, a retailer with a loyal Cantonese-speaking customer base and an English-only site, or a professional firm whose staff consult in Mandarin but whose website does not say so anywhere.
If you only serve English-speaking customers today, start with local search and a solid English site. Translation can come later, informed by a language plan.
What is included
- Page selection. We choose the pages worth translating, based on where enquiries come from.
- English source copy. Before translation, we tighten the English so the translator works from clear, short sentences with no idioms.
- Qualified translation. Copy is written by professional translators. In BC, the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia runs a certification process and a public directory, which is a sensible place to start when you choose one.
- Second-reader review. A separate fluent reader checks each page for tone, accuracy and local usage before it goes live.
- Structure and signals. Language folders, hreflang annotations, a visible language switcher, and correct character encoding so Chinese text displays properly on every device.
- Contact paths per language. Each language version tells visitors who will answer and in which language, with call, text and email kept one tap away.
Timeline
A focused set of five translated pages on an existing site usually takes four to six weeks: one week for page selection and English clean-up, two to three weeks for translation and review, and one to two weeks for building, testing and launch. A full rebuild takes longer and is scoped in writing first.
How results are measured
We track visits, enquiries and booked customers by language folder, so you can see whether the Chinese pages bring enquiries that close. We also watch for warning signs: high exit rates on a translated page often point to a tone or terminology problem the translator should revisit. Our guide on a translation review workflow sets out the checks we run.
Mistakes to avoid
- Mixing scripts. Switching between Traditional and Simplified characters within a single page looks careless to readers of either. Pick one per page, with your translator's advice.
- Translating prices but not updating them. If the English page changes, the translated page must change too.
- Forgetting the phone script. A Mandarin page that leads to a voicemail greeting only in English loses the caller.
- Auto-redirecting by browser language. It frustrates bilingual visitors and can hide pages from search engines.
- Leaving the English page weaker. Many Richmond customers are fully bilingual and will compare versions. The English page deserves the same care as the translated ones, because it is often the version a bilingual reader trusts first.
Read more on the services hub, compare plans, or call, text or email with the address of your current site.
Frequently asked questions
Can't I just add a translate button?
You can, but an automatic widget produces machine text that Google may not treat as a separate page, and that customers can tell is machine-made. A translated page written by a person serves both readers and search engines better.
Should each language be on a separate domain?
For a Richmond business, usually not. One domain with a folder per language, such as /zh-hant/ or /tl/, is simpler to manage and keeps the site's history together. Google's guidance lists several structures; we pick the one that suits your situation.
Do I need every page in every language?
No. Translate the pages that bring enquiries first, usually the home page, two or three service pages and the contact page. Expand only when those prove their worth.
Who keeps the translations up to date?
We flag every English change that affects a translated page and send it back to the translator. Prices, hours and service areas must match across languages, or customers lose trust quickly.