How to Create Multi-Language Websites on RaccoonSite

Before you begin this process, we recommend following this article to publish your main site and connect your site to your main custom domain.

After you have finished building and publishing the site in your main language, you may wish to publish other versions of your website in alternative languages. 

The process below will take you through the steps to complete this in your Website Builder account, and how to create and connect custom subdomains to publish these sites.

If you're looking to offer a seamless, multi-language experience for your guests, RoomRaccoon’s Website Builder offers two methods to create a multi-language site: 

• Option A involves creating a separate subdomain for each language, while 

• Option B allows you to use a free translation widget.

Follow the instructions below to get started with either option.

Option A: Create a Separate Language Subdomain Site

This method requires duplicating your website and manually translating the content into your chosen language(s). You will then publish the translated website on a separate language subdomain.

Steps to Create a Multi-Language Site:

1. Complete Your Main Site

   • Once your main site is complete and published, go to the Websites Dashboard in the Website Builder.

2. Duplicate Your Website

   • On the Websites dashboard, click the three dots in the top right-hand corner of your site and select Duplicate.

3. Rename Your Duplicated Website

   • After duplicating the site, click the three dots in the top right-hand corner of the duplicated site and select Rename.

   • Rename your duplicated site by adding the language version in front of the property name. For example:

     • [Language Label] [Property Name]

4. Manually Update the Content

   • Open the new, duplicated website in the editor.

   • Manually translate and update all text, buttons, and other copy into your chosen language.

5. Copy the URL target for the translated website.

   • Click the blue PUBLISH button in the website builder.

• Select “Host with RoomRaccoon”

• Click “Publish”

• Copy the URL target at the top of the publishing view. 

6. Publish the Translated Site to a Subdomain

   • You will need to configure a new CNAME record in your DNS settings to create the language subdomain (e.g., es.yourdomain.com for a Spanish version).

Connect your subdomain to your website

1. Open your translated website into the editor

2. Click Publish

3. Click “Host with RoomRaccoon”

4. Insert your subdomain into the field.

5. Click “Verify and save”

6. The domain should be “Connected”.

7. Click PUBLISH.

For more details on how to configure your DNS settings, check out our guide on How to Publish Your Website.

Option B: Embed a Free Translation Widget

For a quicker solution, you can use a translation widget that allows your website visitors to toggle between languages themselves.

Steps to Add the Google Translate Widget:

1. Visit G|Translate

   • Go to the G|Translate Website to get started.

2. Configure Widget Settings

   • Select the main language of your website and choose which languages you want to offer for translation.

   • Customize how the widget should appear on your site (e.g., as a dropdown or button).

3. Copy the Widget Code

   • After configuring your widget, copy the provided HTML code.

4. Open Your Website in the Editor

   • Go to the RoomRaccoon Website Builder and open your website in the editor.

5. Access the Code Settings

   • Click the burger menu in the top left-hand corner to access the Overall Settings.

   • Scroll down to Code and click on it.

6. Add the Widget Code

   • In the 'Head Code' field, paste the widget HTML code.

7. Publish Your Website

Once the widget is embedded, click Publish.

Good to Know:

After creating a language subdomain, it is always good to create a button or link in the menu of both your main domain and subdomain with an external link to the URL of each site.

Click here to learn how to add a new link to your menu in your website.

Need more help?

Domain propagation can take between 12 and 24 hours to complete. If your website is still not live after 24 hours, please log a ticket with the RoomRaccoon Support Team. Always make sure to include the following information in your support ticket:

1. Your username and password for your website builder account.
2. The login URL, username and password for your domain registrar
3. (If applicable) Your username and password for your Cloudflare account.