Loubane designs and builds bilingual websites for Quebec businesses, as well as multilingual sites in English, French, Spanish and Arabic for companies that serve customers across Canada and beyond. We handle the full picture: site structure, translation and localization workflow, language switching, and multilingual SEO so each version of your site can be found by the people searching in that language.

In Montreal and the rest of Quebec, a bilingual website is often a practical necessity. Your customers may search in French, in English or switch between the two. For many businesses, serving Spanish- or Arabic-speaking communities opens up another audience. A well-built multilingual site makes each visitor feel the site was written for them, not machine-translated as an afterthought.

What our multilingual website service includes

• Bilingual French/English websites on WordPress, plus WooCommerce and Shopify stores with multiple languages
• Additional languages: Spanish and Arabic, including right-to-left (RTL) layout support for Arabic
• Language architecture: clear URL structure for each language, such as subdirectories (/fr/, /en/, /es/)
• Language switcher that sends visitors to the equivalent page, not back to the homepage
• Hreflang tags so search engines understand which page is meant for which language
• Translated metadata: page titles, meta descriptions, image alt text and URL slugs
• Localization of currency, date formats, phone numbers, units and examples
• Translated forms, emails and checkout on e-commerce stores, including order confirmations
• Multilingual keyword research for each market, since people do not search with literal translations
• Ongoing updates to keep all language versions in sync

Translation vs localization

Translation converts words from one language to another. Localization adapts the whole message to a specific audience. Both matter, but the difference shows up quickly in results.

• Vocabulary. Quebec French differs from European French in many everyday terms. A Quebec audience should read content written for Quebec.
• Search behaviour. The phrase your English customers type into Google is often not the literal translation of what French-speaking customers type. Each language version needs its own keyword research.
• Tone and examples. References, calls to action and examples should feel natural in each culture.
• Practical details. Prices in Canadian dollars, Canadian taxes and shipping, local phone formats and addresses.
• Layout. French text often runs longer than English, and Arabic reads right to left. Designs must handle both without breaking.

Automatic translation can be a useful starting point, but we recommend human review for any page that represents your business, especially service pages, legal pages and checkout.

Multilingual SEO with hreflang

Search engines need clear signals to show the right language version to the right person. We set up:

• Hreflang annotations that link each page to its equivalents in other languages, with correct language (and, where useful, region) codes such as fr-CA and en-CA
• Separate, crawlable URLs for each language rather than switching language with cookies or scripts alone
• Self-referencing canonical tags on each language version so translations are not treated as duplicates
• Multilingual XML sitemaps and Google Search Console configuration
• Local signals such as a bilingual Google Business Profile, covered by our local SEO service

This work connects directly to our broader SEO services, so your French and English pages are both optimized, not just the original language.

French on business websites in Quebec

Quebec’s Charter of the French language applies to commerce and business, and the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) considers that commercial websites of businesses operating in Quebec are covered. In general terms, this means French content should be available on your site and should not be less accessible or less complete than other languages. The rules were updated in recent years, and there are specifics and exceptions that depend on your situation.

We build bilingual sites so that French versions are complete and easy to reach, but we are a web agency, not a law firm. For a plain-language overview, read our guide to Quebec French language rules for business websites, and check with the OQLF or a lawyer for advice on your own business.

Our process

1. Discovery. We identify your audiences, which languages you need, and which pages are most important in each.
2. Structure and planning. We define the URL structure, menus, language switcher and how content will be managed and updated.
3. Keyword research per language. We research how customers actually search in each language and market.
4. Design and development. We build the site with layouts that handle longer text and right-to-left scripts.
5. Content and localization. We integrate your translated content or coordinate translation and review, then adapt metadata, forms and emails.
6. Technical SEO and testing. We implement hreflang, canonicals and sitemaps, then test every language version on desktop and mobile.
7. Launch and maintenance. After launch, we can keep all versions in sync through our website maintenance service.

Why work with Loubane

• Based in Montreal. We work from 3333 Cavendish Blvd in a city where bilingual communication is part of daily business.
• Four languages. We work in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.
• Full service. Website design, e-commerce, SEO, local SEO, digital marketing and maintenance under one roof, so multilingual planning is built in from the start.
• Canadian e-commerce setup. Multilingual WooCommerce and Shopify stores with GST/QST/HST and Canadian shipping configured.

Who this service is for

• Montreal and Quebec businesses that need complete French and English versions of their site
• Companies outside Quebec that want to reach French-speaking customers in Quebec
• Businesses serving Spanish- or Arabic-speaking communities in Canada
• Online stores selling to customers in more than one language
• Professionals such as clinics, lawyers and notaries whose clients speak different languages

Related services

• Website design and development
• E-commerce stores on WooCommerce and Shopify

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a French version of my website in Quebec?

If your business operates in Quebec, the Charter of the French language generally applies to your commercial website, and French content is expected. The details depend on your situation, so we recommend confirming your obligations with the OQLF or a lawyer.

Can you translate my content?

We work in English, French, Spanish and Arabic and can coordinate translation and localization of your website content. For legal or highly technical documents, we recommend a certified translator or professional review.

What is hreflang and do I need it?

Hreflang is a tag that tells search engines which language each version of a page is written in and links the versions together. Any site with the same content in more than one language should use it.

Can you add French to my existing English site?

Often, yes. We review your current site, then add a translation plugin or structure, translated pages and multilingual SEO. If the site is outdated, a rebuild may be more efficient.

Reach every customer in their language

Planning a bilingual or multilingual website? Contact Loubane or call or WhatsApp 438-933-7601, Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.