A multilingual website is more than a language switch. SEO and conversion require clear language routes, hreflang and genuine translations.
Choose your structure first
Use separate domains, subfolders or subdomains deliberately. The important point is that every language has its own canonical URL.
- Hreflang tells search engines which language version belongs to which user.
- Canonicals prevent duplicate-content confusion.
- Sitemaps should include every language version cleanly.
Translate intent, not only words
English visitors search, compare and build trust differently from Dutch visitors. Adapt examples, calls to action and proof accordingly.
Tip: start with your most important commercial pages. Translate the blog archive selectively later, based on search value.
Prevent fallback leakage
When buttons, emails or forms remain partly Dutch on the English site, the experience immediately feels careless. Test microcopy and automated emails too.