Creating a Multilingual Website in Joomla (A–Z Guide)

Written by: Stephen | 23 November 2025 | Hits: 3
3 min read
Creating a Multilingual Website in Joomla (A–Z Guide)

Joomla provides one of the most complete built-in multilingual systems of any CMS. You don’t need extensions or plugins to translate content, menus, modules, or URLs. This guide walks you through the full process of enabling and building a multilingual Joomla site from start to finish.

Step 1: Install the Language Packs

Before enabling multilingual features, install the languages you want to use.

  • Go to System → Install → Languages
  • Select the languages to install
  • Set a default frontend and default backend language if needed

Step 2: Enable the Content Languages

Content languages define how each language behaves on the website, including language code, locale, and URL prefix.

  • Go to System → Manage → Content Languages
  • Publish each language you want to use
  • Check that language codes (e.g., en, fr) match the URL structure you want

Step 3: Enable the Language Filter Plugin

This plugin is essential for multilingual websites. It manages redirects, URL structure, and automatic language detection.

  • Go to System → Manage → Plugins
  • Search for Language Filter
  • Enable it

Recommended options:

  • Automatic Language Change: Redirect users based on browser language
  • Item Association: Link translated pages together
  • Remove URL Language Code: Optional for single-language pages

Step 4: Create a Home Menu for Each Language

Each language must have its own menu structure and its own homepage.

  • Create a menu for each language (e.g., Main Menu EN, Main Menu FR)
  • Create a Home menu item for each menu
  • Set the language of each menu and menu item appropriately

Step 5: Create Multilingual Content (Articles)

Articles must be duplicated and set to individual languages. Joomla does not automatically translate content.

  • Go to Content → Articles
  • Create a version for each language
  • Set the article’s Language field to the correct language

You can optionally link versions using Associations.

Step 6: Create Multilingual Modules

Modules must also be duplicated for each language.

  • Go to Content → Site Modules
  • Duplicate a module (e.g., menu module, HTML module)
  • Assign the module to a specific language
  • Publish it on the correct pages

Step 7: Enable and Configure the Language Switcher Module

This module allows visitors to switch languages easily.

  • Go to Content → Site Modules
  • Find Language Switcher
  • Publish it in a visible module position

Step 8: Set Up Item Associations

Associations help Joomla switch between language versions automatically when users change languages.

  • Associations are available for articles, menu items, and modules
  • Open the item, go to the Associations tab
  • Link the corresponding version in the other language

Step 9: Verify Multilingual URLs

With the Language Filter active, Joomla generates language-specific URLs automatically.

  • /en/ for English
  • /fr/ for French
  • /vi/ for Vietnamese

You can customize this via the Content Language settings.

Step 10: Test the Website

Finally, test all multilingual features:

  • Switch languages using the Language Switcher
  • Verify menu switching works correctly
  • Ensure all articles and modules are assigned to the right languages
  • Check associations

Conclusion

Joomla makes it possible to build a full multilingual website without additional plugins. By setting up language packs, menus, content languages, modules, associations, and URL filtering, you can deliver a clean multilingual experience that scales easily.