Languages, accessibility, and performance

“Hire” wording for the UK and Australia

In the United States, customers “rent” equipment. In the UK and Australia, customers “hire” it. Rentline includes storefront text for both:

Language	Example wording
English (default, American)	Rental rates, Request a quote, Rental: Mon, Oct 26 to Fri, Oct 30, ZIP code
English (United Kingdom), en-GB	Hire rates, Request a hire quote, Hire: Mon 26 Oct to Fri 30 Oct, postcode
English (Australia), en-AU	Same as United Kingdom

The UK and Australian text also uses “postcode” instead of “ZIP code” and “basket” instead of “cart” in the cost estimator note.

Hire wording is not the default. Most UK and Australian stores publish plain English, so use one of these two options.

Option 1: The Wording setting (all stores)

1. In the theme editor, open Theme settings > Rental.
2. Set Wording to Hire (hire rates).
3. Click Save.

The rate table caption, the quote request button text, the quote email subject, and the requested dates summary then say “hire”. This works in plain English, with no extra language. Spelling such as “ZIP code” and “cart” does not change.

Option 2: British or Australian English (language and spelling)

The regional languages also change spelling, for example “postcode” instead of “ZIP code” and “basket” in the cost estimator note.

Turn on British or Australian English

1. In your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Languages.
2. Add English (United Kingdom) or English (Australia).
3. Publish the language, and assign it to your market in Settings > Markets.

Text you type yourself does not change

The hire wording applies to text that comes with the theme, for example the rate table caption and price labels. It does not change text you type in the theme editor, or the default text in section settings. Change this text yourself:

• Section headings, for example “How renting works” (Steps) and “Required with this rental” (Product recommendations).
• Block text, for example the Quote request button label and the Requested dates help text.
• Product titles, descriptions, and option values.

To translate this text for each language, use the free Shopify Translate & Adapt app.

The rental period option name

The theme finds the rental period by the option names in Theme settings > Rental > Rental period option names. The default list is Rental period, Hire period, Duration, Rental duration, so “Hire period” works with no change.

If you translate the option name with Translate & Adapt, add each translated name to the list, for example Rental period, Mietdauer. The words in the period values, for example “Tag”, are explained in Unit words in other languages.

Edit any theme text

1. Go to Online Store > Themes.
2. Next to Rentline, click … > Edit default theme content.
3. Search for the text, for example Save, and change it.
4. Click Save.

Accessibility

Rentline is built to work for all customers, including customers who use a keyboard or a screen reader:

• A Skip to content link for keyboard users.
• Visible focus outlines on links, buttons, and fields.
• Buttons at least 48 px tall, so they are easy to tap.
• Rate tables and spec sheets are real tables with captions and headers.
• The announcement bar does not change on its own. Customers use the buttons.
• Country and language selectors apply only when the customer presses the button.
• Form fields have labels. Required fields are marked.

What you can do:

• Add alt text to product images and section images.
• Fill in Video description in the Video section.
• Check color contrast in every color scheme.
• Use headings in order in page content.

Reduced motion and scroll reveal

Theme settings > Layout > Reveal sections on scroll makes sections fade in as customers scroll down the page. The first section always shows at once.

The effect is turned off automatically:

• For customers who set “reduce motion” on their device.
• In the theme editor, so you always see your content.

Turn off the setting if you do not want any scroll effect.

Performance

Rentline loads quickly by default:

• Images load in the sizes the screen needs. Images below the first screen load when the customer scrolls to them.
• YouTube and Vimeo videos load only when the customer clicks play.
• Scripts load after the page content.

What you can do:

• Upload images in the recommended sizes. Do not upload very large files.
• Use a background video in the hero only when it adds value. Videos are large.
• Remove sections you do not use.
• Install only the apps you need. Apps can make your store slower.