Changing the default language of the store (for the customer)

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Goal: make Estonian the default storefront language for customers while keeping English available, without requiring manual switching.

Proposed approaches:

  • Swap the theme language to Estonian, then use the translation app for English. This is a manual change; Shopify’s “Translating themes” guide explains the steps.
  • Check whether the TranslationLab app can set a default language or auto-redirect; contact the app developer via Shopify admin > Apps > Get Support to confirm capabilities.
  • Use a geolocation app to detect visitor locale and show the matching language. One user reports this can slow browsing, raising performance concerns.
  • Set up International Domains (available on the Shopify plan at $79 USD+), using language-specific subdomains (e.g., en.example.com, ee.example.com) to direct users and potentially aid SEO.

Notes on terms: “Theme language” is the base language of built-in theme text. “International Domains” lets you map languages to subdomains.

Open items: The original poster hasn’t confirmed a solution. Another user requested details on using International Domains to swap languages without hurting sales or SEO. Discussion remains unresolved.

Summarized with AI on February 3. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Hi!

I created my store in English and created a second language for the store (Estonian) using TranslationLab. Now I have the store in 2 languages: English and Estonian. I would like the store to open in the translated language for the clients, not in the language I initially created the store (English).

Is there a way to change the language in which the customer sees the store without manually switching the language?

I have the language switcher and it is possible to switch to the translated language, but the main market is not English speaking, therefore it is not the ideal solution. And as I understand it’s too late to change the theme language into Estonian, because then it will change my English store into Estonian as well?

I hope there is an easy solution for this:)

2

Yes, maybe you can use the Geolocation feature to help users localize better.

https://apps.shopify.com/eab6d2b98a02140e9655960f787ceb07

3

Hey @KadriValentiina ,

Welcome to the Shopify Community! Happy to have you here.

From my understanding you want Estonian to be your main language, but to still have English available. The best option will be to swap the languages; have Estonian be your theme language and then use your translation app for English.

Although I understand you didn’t want to go that route, it would require you to change the theme language manually. If you go with this, our Translating themes help doc will explain how to do this.

Alternatively, you could contact the developer of the translation app you are using or check out any help documentation they have to see if there is an option to set a default language. Their app might be able to override the theme language and immediately show your shop in Estonian instead.

You can contact the app developer from your Shopify admin by going to Apps then clicking Get Support across from the app name. They’d be able to help you out and confirm what features you can leverage from their app.

There is also the option to use International Domains. This feature is available on the Shopify plan ($79USD) or higher. It would allow you to utilize subdomains for different languages, for example en.yourdomainname.com for your site in English and ee.yourdomainname.com for Estonian. This would be another good option for you.

Let me know if you need me to clarify anything!

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4

Hi @KadriValentiina , how did you end up solving this? We’re in a similar situation and are using the geolocation app. This however slows down the browsing speed of people coming to our store.

5

Hi Jacqui,

can you elaborate more on how it is possible to solve this issue by using the international domain?

We have the same issue, we want to swap 2 languages without going through a mess or impacting on sales, seo etc…

Alice

1 Like