UI Design: Language selectors

Language selectors play a crucial role in the user experience of a website, particularly for multilingual sites. They allow users to effortlessly switch between languages and access translated versions of the content.

In this blog post, we'll explore ten captivating language selectors used by both well-known brands and lesser-known apps, providing inspiration for creating a perfect selector for your own application.

10 most beautiful language selectors

Here, we present a list of the most beautiful and interesting language selectors we have found, along with some tips on why they work so well.

Mango

Mango is a clothing company that offers its products in various markets worldwide. To meet the diverse language needs of its customers, Mango has implemented the following language selector.

Mango's language selector stands out because it lets users choose their region, which automatically applies the appropriate language for that market. This simple yet effective design ensures that users can set their preferences right before entering the website, without the need to adjust settings while shopping.

Discord

The popular messaging and communication app, Discord, showcases its language selection in the website footer. This unobtrusive placement ensures that users can easily change their region and language settings without disrupting their browsing experience.

JetBrains

JetBrains, a renowned software company, provides its website in multiple languages. Their language selector, conveniently located at the top of the page, offers users a smooth and visually appealing select option.

Wix

Wix, a website building platform, offers really nice language selection in the website header. On click on the language button, you can choose from the available language options from a nice, spacious modal view.

Mews

Mews, a property management system for hotels, incorporates a flag-based language selector. With just one click, users can easily switch the website's language and instantly see their location identified by icons.

Ikea

Ikea, available worldwide, adopts a region selection approach before users enter the actual website or shop content. This thoughtful strategy ensures that users experience content tailored to their location without having to search for language options while browsing.

Booking.com

Booking.com employs a flag icon for its language selector, which, when clicked, opens a larger modal with a comprehensive language selection. The use of flag icons helps users easily identify and choose their language based on their country.

Tesla

Tesla asks for users' region and language preferences upon entering their website. The setting is also accessible in the menu, offering users flexibility to change their choice as needed.

Spotify

The language and region selection on Spotify's website are conveniently located at the bottom of the main page, within the footer. The subtle icon blends perfectly with the site's aesthetics, providing users with an option to change settings without disrupting the website layout.

Duolingo

As a language teaching platform, Duolingo offers a prominent and easily accessible language selector to cater to users' diverse language needs. This ensures that users can start their learning journey in a familiar translation.

How to choose a language selector?

A well-designed and accessible language selector can significantly enhance the user experience and boost website traffic through localization. Whether you place the language selector at the top of the page, in the footer, in the settings, or even as an option before entering the page, it's crucial to ensure its visibility and accessibility.

When choosing a language selector, it's important to consider the following factors:

Visibility and accessibility

The primary goal of a language selector is to allow users to switch the website's language effortlessly. Therefore, it must be easily visible to your users. However, avoid making it overly prominent as it serves as a configuration element, not a main content or action button.

Avoid using flags as language representation

While using flags might seem like a straightforward way to represent languages, it can be problematic. Flags may not accurately represent all languages spoken in a specific region, and they can also lead to confusion and miscommunication. Learn more about different approaches to language representation in a language selector in our blog post titled Flags in language selectors: should we keep or remove them?

Customization and design

Consider designing a language selector that complements your website's overall aesthetics and branding. A thoughtfully designed language selector can add a touch of elegance and professionalism to your site while offering a seamless user experience.

User testing and feedback

Before finalizing your language selector, conduct user testing and gather feedback from a diverse group of users. This will help you identify any potential usability issues and make necessary improvements to ensure a smooth language switching process.

Implement localization services

To make the translation process easier and more efficient, consider using reliable localization services like SimpleLocalize. With a intuitive translation management solution you can streamline the translation and localization of your website or app content, making it accessible to a global audience effortlessly.

By following these guidelines and considering the needs of your target audience, you can design and implement an effective language selector that enhances user experience and fosters a more inclusive online environment. Happy localization!

Interested in building your own language selector? Discover a step-by-step guide in our latest blog post on creating a language selector using Tailwind CSS.