Use Google Sheets as a Free Translation Database for Small Web Apps
A developer has shared a method to use Google Sheets as a lightweight localization database for web apps with fewer than 1,000 translation keys, bypassing the need for costly SaaS tools. The setup involves translators editing strings directly in a Google Sheet, while a Google Apps Script endpoint serves the data as structured locale JSON. A Next.js app then fetches this JSON at build time, storing translations as static files in the project to avoid runtime dependency on the spreadsheet. The approach handles missing translations by falling back to a default locale, ensuring no blank strings are ever served to users. The author positions this as a coordination solution for small projects, noting that enterprise-grade localization platforms are better suited for larger teams with complex review workflows.
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