Why Multilingual Websites Drive Sales: The Data Behind the Strategy
In today’s global digital economy, simply having a great product or service isn’t enough. If your website only speaks one language, you’re unintentionally locking out a massive share of the global market. With more consumers shopping online across borders, speaking your customers’ language is no longer optional — it’s essential.
Here are the top statistics that prove why multilingual websites drive significantly more sales and conversions.
Language Matters: What the Data Says
1. Most People Prefer Shopping in Their Native Language
A study by CSA Research found that 72.4% of consumers are more likely to buy a product if the information is presented in their native language. It gets even more compelling — 56.2% said that language is more important than price when making a buying decision. So, if your content isn’t localised, many potential customers won’t even consider your offer.
The Impact on Sales and Conversions
2. Localised Content = Higher Revenue
Forrester reports that 65% of multinational companies believe localising content is key to increasing revenue. Similarly, CSA Research found that companies investing in translation are 1.5x more likely to see revenue growth.
3. Boost in Traffic and Conversion Rates
According to data from HubSpot and Smartling, businesses with multilingual websites experience:
- 47% more website traffic
- 2x higher conversion rates
- Greater engagement and repeat business
And in new markets, localised websites can increase conversions by up to 200%, says the Harvard Business Review. Translating your website pays off — literally.
E-commerce and User Experience
4. Language Builds Trust
75% of users say they prefer to make purchases on websites written in their native language. That’s a huge chunk of online shoppers who may bounce from your site if it’s only in English. Multilingual support improves both user experience and customer loyalty.
Additionally, multilingual e-commerce platforms see:
- 1.8x more repeat visitors
- Up to 30% higher customer satisfaction in global markets
(Sources: Shopify & Zendesk)
SEO and Global Reach
5. English Isn’t Enough
Only 25% of internet users speak English as their first language. That means 75% of the global audience prefers to engage with content in other languages.
6. Better Local SEO
Arguably, multilingual websites drive sales because they are more likely to rank higher in local search results, generating up to 3x more organic traffic in targeted regions.
(Source: SEMrush)
Going multilingual isn’t just good for people — it’s great for algorithms. Read more about how to Optimise a Multilingual Website for SEO.
Final Thoughts: Speak Their Language, Earn Their Trust
Investing in a multilingual website isn’t just about translation — it’s about global connection, increased trust, and ultimately, higher revenue. The numbers make one thing clear: If you want to grow internationally, it pays to speak your customers’ language — literally.
Need help localizing your website? We can help guide you through language strategy, platform tools, and SEO optimization for global markets. Contact us for a free quote or consultation.