Building a Multi-language Tool Website: Lessons Learned

#webdev #javascript #seo #i18n

Why I Built a Multi-language Tool Website

As developers, we often build tools for ourselves — calculators, converters, or small utilities. But when you want your project to serve a global audience, things get tricky:

Different languages and character sets
SEO in multiple markets
Lightweight performance for international users

That’s why I decided to build EasyDailyTools, a free collection of calculators and converters, including shoe size converters, date calculators, and workday calculators, fully optimized for English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Multi-language Challenges and Solutions

1. Internationalization (i18n)

I started with a simple JSON-based translation system.
Each page has language-specific URLs (/en/, /es/, /pt/) to make search engines treat them as separate pages.
Translation keys are organized consistently, which makes adding new languages straightforward.

2. SEO Across Regions

hreflang tags are critical to tell search engines which version to display.
I automated sitemap generation to include all language variants.
Meta titles and descriptions are tailored for each language.

3. Performance

Users come from all over the world, so a lightweight front-end is important.
Most calculators are implemented with plain JavaScript for fast loading.
Unused CSS and scripts are removed to keep pages lean.

Example: Nike Shoe Size Converter

One of the most popular tools is the Nike Shoe Size Converter:

Supports US, EU, UK, and CM sizes for Nike shoes.
Fully multi-language: English, Spanish, Portuguese.
Instant conversion helps global users find the right fit without guesswork.

This shows the value of multi-language support: it expands usability far beyond English-speaking users and improves visibility in multiple markets.

Lessons Learned

Start small, internationalize early – retrofitting translations later is painful.
SEO is not only English-first – Spanish and Portuguese markets are significant.
Keep it lightweight – minimal JS and CSS make the site fast globally.
Free and simple tools attract organic users – practical value drives traffic.

Final Thoughts

Building EasyDailyTools taught me that:

A backend is not always necessary for global tools.
Multi-language support is worth the upfront effort.
Small, well-structured tools can reach a worldwide audience effectively.

If you’re planning to build a tool or service for a global audience, focus on multi-language architecture, SEO, and performance from the start — these are key to reaching users around the world.