In short. Choose subfolders for a simple international setup under one primary domain, then configure the region suffix and languages for each market.
Definition: A Shopify market subfolder is a path under a store's primary domain for a localized storefront, such as
example.com/en-cafor English in Canada. Secondary-market paths combine a language code with a region suffix.
Key facts
- As of 17 October 2026, Shopify's international domains guide requires a custom domain and the Basic Shopify plan or higher for international domains.
- Google's international site guidance describes subdirectories as easy to set up and maintain on the same host.
- Shopify's multilingual requirements include a compatible theme and a language selector.
- Shopify's localization documentation states that missing translations display content in the store's default language.
Which URL structure fits the market?
Shopify's international domains guide recommends subfolders for an initial international setup because they require minimal configuration. The alternatives include a subdomain, a prefix such as fr.example.com, and a separate country-specific domain such as example.fr. Separate country domains require purchasing domain names for the target markets. Changing the primary domain also changes the subfolder URLs.
Google's URL structure comparison identifies a tradeoff: subdirectories share a host, while separating regional sites is harder. Country-specific domains provide clear geographic targeting and carry additional cost and infrastructure requirements.
What must be ready before setup?
Shopify's language requirements distinguish adding a language from translating store content. Product descriptions and other content need translations supplied through an app or imported into Shopify. Publishing a language alone supplies the available default theme and checkout translations.
The same documentation requires international domains to manage languages separately for each market. A URL slug is a readable component of a content address, such as shoes in Shopify's product URL example. Translated slugs apply across all markets displaying that language; they cannot be customized separately by market.
For selling in multiple currencies, Shopify's international domains guide also requires Shopify Payments.
How are the suffix and languages configured?
In Shopify's subfolder setup instructions, the route is Markets, the target market, Languages and domains, then Manage domains > Use subfolders. The Domain suffix field takes a region suffix such as ca; the Languages section selects the market's languages. Save completes the configuration.
Shopify gives these Canadian examples:
example.com/en-ca
example.com/fr-ca
Language-only paths such as /fr belong to the primary market. The guide also documents a Domain / language control: its + icon opens language and suffix selection, followed by Done and Save.
How should the result be checked?
Shopify's localization guide explains that each published language receives its own URLs. Opening each version and checking product content helps identify default-language fallback where translations are missing.
Google's language guidance recommends separate URLs for language versions and links that let visitors switch languages. Google determines page language from visible content. Checking the main content alongside navigation therefore matters when reviewing a translated storefront.
Related terms
- hreflang
- How does Shopify add hreflang for international domains?
- How do Shopify international domains affect sitemaps?
FAQ
Can I use my myshopify.com address?
You need a custom domain under Shopify's international domain requirements.
What happens if I delete a market?
The same Shopify guide states that its subfolder URLs return a 404 error. You can import URL redirects using a CSV file to send visitors to an appropriate replacement.
Sources
- Shopify Help Center, "International domains", undated
- Google Search Central, "Managing multi-regional and multilingual sites", 10 December 2025
- Shopify Help Center, "Requirements and considerations for selling in multiple languages", undated
- Shopify Help Center, "Localization and translation", undated
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