For many businesses in Quebec, a bilingual website is not just a nice extra. It is a way to respect Quebec’s French-language rules, serve both francophone and anglophone customers and reach more people through Google in two languages. But a bilingual website done poorly, with machine translation, missing pages or a confusing language switcher, can frustrate visitors and weaken your SEO.
This guide covers the best practices for building an English and French website in Quebec: legal basics, structure, translation, SEO and user experience.
Why Quebec businesses need a bilingual website
- Legal context: businesses operating in Quebec are subject to the Charter of the French Language, which applies to commercial content, including websites.
- Customer expectations: French is the main language for most Quebec customers, while Montreal and some regions also have large English-speaking communities.
- Market reach: an English version helps you reach customers in the rest of Canada and abroad.
- SEO: two well-built language versions can rank for searches in both languages.
Quebec French-language rules: the basics
In general terms, if your business operates in Quebec, commercial content on your website should be available in French, and other languages should not be given more prominence than French. Rules were strengthened in recent years, and details depend on your situation (business size, type of content, contracts, trademarks and so on). This article is not legal advice; for your specific case, consult the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) resources or a legal professional.
For a more detailed overview, read our guide on Quebec French-language rules for business websites.
Best practice 1: Choose the right URL structure
Each language should have its own URL so Google can index both versions. The most common options:
| Structure | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Subdirectories | example.ca/fr/ and example.ca/en/ | Usually the simplest and most recommended for small and medium businesses |
| Subdomains | fr.example.ca and en.example.ca | Works, but harder to manage and consolidate authority |
| Separate domains | example.ca and example-fr.ca | More cost and maintenance; rarely needed |
Avoid solutions that switch language with cookies or scripts on the same URL. Google may only see one language.
Best practice 2: Use hreflang tags correctly
Hreflang tags tell Google which page is the French version and which is the English version of the same content. They help show the right version to the right user. On WordPress, multilingual plugins such as WPML or Polylang add these automatically when configured correctly. On Shopify, translated markets and languages also generate them. Always verify that each page points to its correct translation.
Best practice 3: Translate properly, not literally
Machine translation can be a starting point, but it often produces awkward wording, mistakes and expressions that do not sound natural in Quebec. Good bilingual content should:
- Use Quebec French where appropriate (for example “courriel” rather than “e-mail”, “magasiner” for shopping).
- Adapt headlines and calls to action rather than translating word for word.
- Be reviewed by a fluent human writer.
- Include translated menus, buttons, forms, error messages and emails, not only page text.
Our content writing service creates natural content in both English and French.
Best practice 4: Do keyword research in each language
People do not search with direct translations. An English user may search “web design Montreal”, while a French user may search “création site web Montréal” or “conception site internet”. Do separate keyword research for each language and optimize page titles, meta descriptions, headings and URLs accordingly. For local businesses, this also applies to your Google Business Profile; see our guide to local SEO in Montreal.
Best practice 5: Make the language switcher clear
- Place the switcher in the header, visible on every page.
- Use language names (“Français”, “English”) rather than flags, since a language is not a country.
- Link to the equivalent page in the other language, not back to the homepage.
- Do not force automatic redirection based on browser language without giving users a way to switch back.
Best practice 6: Keep both versions complete and up to date
A common problem is an English site with many pages and a French version that was translated once and never updated (or the opposite). Every important page, product, service and blog post should exist in both languages, and updates should be made in both versions. Including French should be the default for commercial content in Quebec.
Best practice 7: Do not forget forms, e-commerce and legal pages
Contact forms, confirmation emails, checkout pages, invoices, privacy policies and cookie banners should all be available in French. This matters both for compliance and for customer trust. Quebec’s privacy law also sets requirements for how you collect personal information; see our Law 25 website privacy checklist. For online stores, our e-commerce service sets up bilingual product pages and checkout.
Best practice 8: Choose a platform that handles languages well
WordPress with a reputable multilingual plugin is a very flexible option for bilingual service and content sites. WooCommerce extends this to online stores. Shopify also supports multiple languages through its built-in tools and apps. Our WordPress development team builds bilingual sites that are easy to manage.
Beyond English and French
Montreal and other Canadian cities are very multicultural. Some businesses benefit from adding Spanish, Arabic or other languages to reach specific communities. In Quebec, French must keep its place, but additional languages can be added on top. Loubane works in English, French, Spanish and Arabic; learn more about our multilingual website service.
Bilingual website checklist
- Separate URLs for each language (subdirectories recommended)
- Hreflang tags configured and verified
- Human-reviewed, natural translations
- Keyword research done in English and French
- Clear language switcher linking to equivalent pages
- Forms, emails, checkout and legal pages translated
- French given at least equal prominence for Quebec commercial content
- Both versions updated together
Frequently asked questions
Is a bilingual website mandatory in Quebec?
Businesses operating in Quebec must generally make commercial website content available in French. An English version is optional, but if you offer one, French should not be less prominent. Check the rules that apply to your specific situation.
Is Google Translate good enough for my French website?
Automatic translation can help draft content, but it often contains errors and unnatural phrasing. For a professional image and compliance, have content reviewed by a fluent writer.
Does a bilingual website help SEO?
Yes, when it is built correctly with separate URLs, hreflang tags and keyword research in each language. Each version can then rank for searches in its own language.
Can I add a French version to my existing English website?
Yes. In most cases, we can add a French version to an existing WordPress or Shopify site. If the site is outdated, it may be a good moment for a website redesign.
Build a bilingual website with Loubane
Need an English and French website for your Quebec business? Contact Loubane, call or WhatsApp 438-933-7601 (WhatsApp), or email loubane5@yahoo.ca. We are available Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.
