
This is often used to depict the English language, however, this is not an entirely accurate representation when we consider that countries like Ireland 🇮🇪, Australia 🇦🇺, the United States 🇺🇸, and even Jamaica 🇯🇲 also use English as their first language.Įach of these countries have unique identities, distinct from their languages and so this risks being culturally insensitive.

So what should you do?Īs United Language Group points out, flags were never created to depict languages nor do they represent them.įor example, consider the United Kingdom’s flag 🇬🇧. While a flag represents a country and not a language, it is still quite a common practice on multilingual sites. So let’s take a look at some of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to making your own language button.įirst and foremost, one of the biggest considerations you’re going to have to make when it comes to customizing your language button is whether or not you use country flags. That being said, as you would’ve probably noticed, some are definitely more effective than others. Customizing your language buttonĪnyone who’s got a language button themselves, or frequently visits multilingual sites will know that there are lots of types available out there and that the degree of customization when it comes to making your own is quite high. A language button is a key component of any multilingual site, enhancing not only your ability to attract and retain new customers but also playing a key role when it comes to user experience.Äesigning the right language button for your site is therefore a key consideration to make, so in this article, we’re going to take a closer look at designing and customizing the perfect language button to implement on your site.

Investing in a multilingual site is a smart choice with the Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA) showing that on average every €1 spent on localizing your website yields €25 in return. And if you’re already running one, you should probably know that the easiest way to allow visitors to view your content in their preferred language is with an intuitive and obvious language button on your front site. When it comes to your localization strategy, a multilingual site should be on the top of your agenda.
