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How to Create a Multilingual Website on WordPress
Quick Summary
Creating a multilingual website on WordPress allows you to reach a global audience by offering content in different languages. With the right tools, you can easily translate pages and manage language-specific content. This guide will show you how to create a multilingual website on WordPress.
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A multilingual website is an essential tool for businesses and bloggers aiming to expand their reach internationally. WordPress, being a highly flexible platform, offers various plugins and features that help you create a website in multiple languages. Whether you want to provide content in just a few languages or serve a global audience, WordPress makes it easy to create and manage a multilingual site. By following a few simple steps and using the right plugins, you can engage visitors from different parts of the world and grow your online presence.
How to Create a Multilingual Website on WordPress
- Choose a Multilingual Plugin: Select a reliable multilingual plugin to manage translations on your WordPress website.
- Set Up Your Languages: Configure the languages you want to offer on your website.
- Translate Content: Manually translate your website’s content or use automatic translation options.
- Adjust SEO for Multilingual Sites: Ensure each language version is properly optimised for search engines.
Step 1: Choose a Multilingual Plugin
The first step to creating a multilingual website is to choose the right plugin. There are several great options available for WordPress:
- WPML (WordPress Multilingual Plugin): WPML is one of the most popular and comprehensive plugins for creating multilingual websites. It supports over 40 languages and allows you to manually or automatically translate your website’s content.
- Polylang: Polylang is another popular option that offers a free version with basic multilingual functionality. It is simple to use and supports all kinds of content, including posts, pages, and custom post types.
- TranslatePress: TranslatePress is a user-friendly plugin that allows you to translate your site directly from the front end. It also integrates well with Google Translate for automatic translations.
- Weglot: Weglot is a cloud-based translation solution that is easy to set up and automatically translates content. It also offers an intuitive interface for managing translations.
Step 2: Set Up Your Languages
Once you’ve chosen your plugin, the next step is to set up the languages for your website. In most cases, the plugin will have a simple setup wizard to guide you through the process. You will need to:
- Choose the default language of your site (usually English).
- Add the languages you want to offer on your site (e.g., French, Spanish, German).
- Decide how visitors will switch between languages (e.g., through a language switcher in the header or footer).
Ensure that your language selection is visible to users, making it easy for them to navigate your site in their preferred language.
Step 3: Translate Content
After setting up your languages, you’ll need to translate the content on your website. Depending on the plugin you choose, you can either:
- Manually Translate Content: This involves translating each page, post, and other content yourself or by hiring a translator. With plugins like WPML and Polylang, you can create a separate version of each page for each language.
- Automatic Translation: Some plugins, like Weglot and TranslatePress, offer automatic translation powered by tools like Google Translate. While this is quicker, the quality of automatic translations may not be perfect, so manual editing might be necessary.
Make sure to translate key elements such as headers, footers, navigation menus, and product descriptions to provide a consistent experience for your multilingual audience.
Step 4: Adjust SEO for Multilingual Sites
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is essential for ensuring that your multilingual site ranks well in search engines. When creating a multilingual website, you need to:
- Use Hreflang Tags: Hreflang tags help search engines understand which language version of a page to show based on the user’s location and language preferences. Most multilingual plugins, including WPML and Polylang, automatically generate these tags.
- Optimise Each Language Version: Each version of your site should be optimised for SEO in the target language. This includes translating meta tags, title tags, and descriptions for each language version.
- Use Language-Specific URLs: For best SEO practice, you should use language-specific URLs. For example, example.com/fr/ for French and example.com/de/ for German. Many multilingual plugins allow you to set up language-specific slugs and URLs.
Step 5: Manage and Maintain Your Multilingual Website
Managing a multilingual website can take some time, especially if you’re offering content in multiple languages. Here are a few tips for maintaining your site:
- Regularly Update Translations: Whenever you add new content or make changes to existing content, make sure to update the translations to keep everything consistent.
- Monitor Performance: Track the performance of each language version using tools like Google Analytics to see which languages are most popular with your audience. This will help you tailor your content strategy.
- Test User Experience: Regularly test the language switcher and ensure that all translated content loads correctly, with no broken links or errors.
Tips for a Successful Multilingual Website
Offer Localised Content
In addition to translating your content, try to adapt it to the specific culture or preferences of your audience. This can include changing currency, date formats, or offering region-specific promotions. A localised experience makes your website feel more personal to users.
Make Navigation Easy
Make sure your visitors can easily find the language selector. It’s a good idea to place it in a prominent position, such as the header or footer, so users can quickly switch languages.
Prioritise Quality Translations
Automatic translation can be helpful, but it’s important to have a human review your content for accuracy and tone. High-quality translations will improve the user experience and help you build trust with your multilingual audience.
Promote Your Multilingual Website
Once your multilingual website is set up, promote it across different channels to attract a global audience. Share your site on social media platforms, reach out to international influencers, and optimise your content for global search engines.
Multilingual Website FAQ
How do I create a multilingual site on WordPress?
To create a multilingual website on WordPress, you need to install a multilingual plugin, choose your languages, translate content, and set up language-specific URLs. Popular plugins include WPML, Polylang, TranslatePress, and Weglot.
We can help you build multilingual websites with global reach.
Which multilingual plugin is best for WordPress?
The best plugin depends on your needs. WPML is feature-rich and supports many languages. Polylang is free and simple to use. TranslatePress allows easy translation from the front end, and Weglot offers automatic translations with an easy setup.
Can I automatically translate my website?
Yes, some plugins like Weglot and TranslatePress offer automatic translations. However, automatic translations might require manual editing to ensure accuracy and readability. It’s also important that your hosting provider allows you to create a multilingual website.
Will my multilingual website rank well in search engines?
Yes, by using proper SEO practices, including hreflang tags and language-specific URLs, your multilingual site can rank well in search engines. It’s essential to optimise each version of your site for its target language.
About The Author
Morgan Varlow
Morgan is an experienced marketing professional with expertise across various marketing disciplines. Passionate about helping businesses grow, Morgan works with clients worldwide but particularly enjoys supporting local businesses in and around Lincolnshire. This support includes managing entire marketing operations or collaborating with existing teams to enhance their efforts.
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