How to setup a multilingual WordPress website

Creating a multilingual WordPress website can significantly expand your reach and improve user experience by catering to a global audience. Whether you’re running a business, a blog, or an e-commerce site, offering content in multiple languages can help you connect with a broader audience and enhance your site’s accessibility. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to set up a multilingual WordPress website, from choosing the right plugins to translating your content effectively.

A multilingual website presents content in more than one language, allowing users to select their preferred language. This can be achieved through manual translations or by using translation plugins that automate the process. In this guide, we will explore both methods and recommend some of the best tools to help you create a multilingual WordPress site.

1. Why Create a Multilingual WordPress Website?

Reach a Global Audience
By offering content in multiple languages, you can reach a wider audience and cater to users from different regions and linguistic backgrounds.

Improve User Experience
Providing content in users’ native languages enhances their experience on your site, making it easier for them to navigate and understand your offerings.

Boost SEO
A multilingual website can improve your search engine rankings in different regions, driving more organic traffic to your site.

2. Choosing the Right Multilingual Plugin
Several WordPress plugins can help you create a multilingual site. Here are some of the most popular options:

WPML (WordPress Multilingual Plugin)
WPML is one of the most widely used multilingual plugins for WordPress. It supports over 40 languages and allows you to add translations for posts, pages, custom types, taxonomies, menus, and more.

Key Features:

• Easy translation management

• Compatibility with most WordPress themes and plugins

• SEO-friendly

• Supports WooCommerce for multilingual e-commerce sites

Pros:

• Comprehensive features

• Reliable support

• Regular updates

Cons:

• Paid plugin with no free version

Polylang
Polylang is a popular free plugin that allows you to create a bilingual or multilingual WordPress site. It supports an unlimited number of languages and integrates seamlessly with the WordPress interface.

Key Features:

• Easy to use

• Supports custom post types, taxonomies, and widgets

• SEO-friendly

• Compatible with most themes and plugins

Pros:

• Free version available

• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• Some advanced features require the Pro version

TranslatePress
TranslatePress is a visual translation plugin that allows you to translate your entire site directly from the front-end. It supports both manual and automatic translations and is compatible with most themes and plugins.

Key Features:

• Visual translation interface

• Supports automatic translation with Google Translate or DeepL

• SEO-friendly

• Compatible with WooCommerce

Pros:

• Intuitive interface

• Supports multiple translation methods

Cons:

• Some features require the Pro version

Weglot
Weglot is a cloud-based translation service that integrates with WordPress to provide automatic translations. It supports over 100 languages and offers a user-friendly interface for managing translations.

Key Features:

• Automatic translation

• SEO-friendly

• Supports WooCommerce

• Easy to set up and use

Pros:

• Quick setup

• High-quality translations

Cons:

• Subscription-based pricing

3. Setting Up a Multilingual WordPress Site

Step 1: Install and Activate Your Chosen Plugin
1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for your chosen multilingual plugin (e.g., WPML, Polylang, TranslatePress, Weglot).
4. Click Install Now and then Activate.

Step 2: Configure Language Settings
Once the plugin is activated, you need to configure the language settings.

1. Go to the plugin’s settings page (e.g., WPML > Languages, Polylang > Languages).
2. Add the languages you want to support on your site.
3. Set the default language for your site.
4. Configure additional settings such as language switcher options and URL format.

Step 3: Translate Your Content
Depending on the plugin you choose, the process for translating content may vary.

• WPML: Use the Translation Management module to assign translation jobs to yourself or other users. Translate posts, pages, and other content types from the WPML Translation Editor.

• Polylang: Create translations for posts, pages, and custom post types by duplicating the original content and translating it manually.

• TranslatePress: Use the visual translation interface to translate content directly from the front-end of your site.

• Weglot: Automatic translations are generated, and you can manage and edit translations from the Weglot dashboard.

Step 4: Add a Language Switcher
A language switcher allows users to select their preferred language. Most multilingual plugins provide options to add a language switcher to your site.

1. Go to the plugin’s settings page.
2. Configure the language switcher settings (e.g., location, style, languages to display).
3. Add the language switcher to your site using a widget, shortcode, or menu item.

4. Best Practices for Multilingual SEO

Use SEO-Friendly URLs
Ensure that your multilingual plugin supports SEO-friendly URLs. This typically involves adding language codes to your URLs (e.g., example.com/en/ for English, example.com/fr/ for French).

Translate Meta Tags
Translate meta titles, descriptions, and other SEO-related tags for each language. This helps search engines understand and index your content in different languages.

Submit a Multilingual Sitemap
Generate and submit a multilingual sitemap to search engines. This helps search engines discover and index all versions of your content.

Use hreflang Tags
Implement hreflang tags to indicate the language and regional targeting of your pages. This helps search engines serve the correct language version to users based on their location and language preferences.

5. Maintaining Your Multilingual Site

Regularly Update Translations
Keep your translations up to date with any changes to your original content. This ensures that all language versions of your site remain consistent and accurate.

Monitor Performance
Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor the performance of your multilingual site. Track metrics such as traffic, bounce rate, and conversion rates for each language version.

Engage with Your Audience
Engage with your audience in their preferred language. Respond to comments, emails, and social media messages in the appropriate language to build stronger connections with your users.

Setting up a multilingual WordPress website can significantly enhance your site’s reach and user experience. By choosing the right multilingual plugin and following best practices for translation and SEO, you can create a seamless and effective multilingual site. Whether you opt for manual translations or automated solutions, the key is to ensure that your content is accessible and engaging for users in all supported languages.