Framer localization paths and redirects: preserve language routes during a site change

SOURCE-BASED ANALYSIS · NO HANDS-ON RATING

Model locales before translating pages

Framer supports a default language plus additional locales, translated paths and language attributes. Start with a route matrix that lists the default page, each real equivalent and any page intentionally unavailable in another locale. Do not create an apparent translation that simply repeats the source language.

Decide how visitors reach a locale

Framer documents an Automatic Locale feature that can use browser language preferences and device timezone. Treat automatic routing as one entry mechanism, not as a replacement for a visible language choice. Record the behavior for the root page, explicit localized URLs and returning visitors so a manual choice is not unexpectedly overridden.

Pair changed paths with redirects

When a localized slug changes, create the old-to-new redirect explicitly. Framer notes that changing a sub-path in the Canvas or CMS does not automatically update redirect settings. Keep the redirect list next to the route matrix and review rule order when more than one pattern can match.

1. List default and localized URLs before the change.
2. Confirm each localized page contains complete content and the correct language attribute.
3. Add a redirect for every path that will disappear.
4. Publish and test old paths, new paths, canonicals and language alternates.
5. Use a clean browser profile to test automatic locale behavior separately from saved preferences.

A three-page acceptance example

A fictional consultancy has Home, Services and Contact in English and French, but only Home and Services in German. The German Contact navigation should lead to a clearly labelled available destination rather than pretending a translation exists. If the French services path changes, the former French path needs its own permanent redirect. This example is a planning exercise, not a measured Framer test.

Check the published result

Inspect the final HTML rather than relying only on the editor. Confirm the page language, canonical, hreflang destinations and redirect status. Search the site for internal links that still use an old path. Record the publish date and route matrix version so later localization changes can be audited.