Bilingual websites: six mistakes to avoid

The six mistakes

• Machine translation left as is. Have someone who speaks the language proofread it.
• One address for both languages. Give each language its own address (for example /fr and /en) so each can be found on Google.
• A hidden language switch, or one that sends you to the home page instead of the equivalent page.
• Missing language tags: the page lang attribute and hreflang links help search engines and screen readers.
• Partial translation: forms, error messages, automatic emails and PDF documents are often forgotten.
• Shorter or less polished text in one of the languages.

A good foundation

Write both versions together, with the same structure, and check them page by page. In Quebec, some rules affect the language of commercial content online: confirm your obligations with a professional.