Expanding your web application to a global audience often necessitates multilingual support, enabling users to interact with your content in their preferred language. In this blog post, we will explore the implementation of multilingual support in a Next.js application using Sitecore XM Cloud, a powerful content management system (CMS) that seamlessly integrates with modern web frameworks.

As businesses reach a global audience, providing content in multiple languages becomes imperative. Multilingual support enhances user experience, boosts engagement, and expands the potential user base. Implementing this capability in a NextJs application, coupled with Sitecore XM Cloud, ensures a smooth and efficient process for managing content across different languages.

Key Steps for Implementing Multilingual Support

Configure Languages in Sitecore XM Cloud: In the Sitecore Content Editor, configure the languages you want to support. Sitecore makes it easy to manage content in multiple languages, allowing you to create language versions for each piece of content.

Use Language Versions in Next.js Components: Leverage the Sitecore API to fetch content in the desired language. Ensure that your NextJs components are language-aware and can dynamically render content based on the user's language preference.

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// Example of fetching content in a specific language using the Sitecore API

const fetchContent = async (language) => {
const response = await fetch(`/api/sitecore/content?language=${language}`);
const data = await response.json();
return data;
};

Implement Language Switching: Allow users to switch between languages seamlessly. This could be achieved through a language switcher component that triggers a change in the application's language context.

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// Example language switcher component

const LanguageSwitcher = ({ onChangeLanguage }) => {
const languages = ['en', 'fr', 'es']; // Add the languages you support
return (
onChangeLanguage(e.target.value)}> {languages.map((lang) => ( {lang.toUpperCase()} ))}
);
};

Handle URL Routing for Different Languages: Implement a routing mechanism that takes the user's language preference into account. This could involve including the language code in the URL or utilizing a subdomain structure.

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// Example of dynamic routing with language in the URL
// pages/[lang]/about.js
const AboutPage = () => {
// Fetch content based on the language parameter
const content = fetchContent('en');
return

;
};
Manage SEO for Multilingual Pages: Optimize your multilingual content for search engines by implementing hreflang tags in the HTML to indicate language and regional targeting.
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Utilize Sitecore Personalization for Language-Specific Content: Leverage Sitecore XM Cloud's personalization features to tailor your content based on the user's language preference. This can enhance the user experience by providing targeted and relevant content.

Benefits of Using Sitecore XM Cloud for Multilingual Support

Centralized Content Management: Sitecore XM Cloud provides a centralized platform for managing multilingual content, simplifying the content creation and translation process.

Efficient Translation Workflows: Utilize Sitecore's translation workflows to streamline the translation process and ensure consistent messaging across different language versions.

Content Versioning and Approval: Sitecore's versioning and approval mechanisms allow you to manage different language versions of content seamlessly, ensuring that only approved content is published.

Robust API for NextJs Integration: The Sitecore API offers robust capabilities for fetching content based on language preferences, making it an ideal choice for integrating with NextJs applications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, enabling multilingual support in a NextJs application through Sitecore XM Cloud is essential for reaching a global audience. By configuring languages, using Sitecore's API for language-specific content, implementing language switching and URL routing, and optimizing SEO, you create a seamless user experience. Sitecore XM Cloud offers centralized content management, efficient translation workflows, versioning, and a robust API for NextJs.

These advantages empower businesses to engage diverse audiences effectively. Embracing multilingual content marketing and support is vital in today's globalized digital landscape, enhancing personalized engagement, and expanding your web presence worldwide.

Reach out to us to learn how Sitecore XM Cloud and NextJs can enable your business to be adequately prepared for delivering and distributing localized content that resonates with global audiences.