Looking to expand your reach and cater to a global audience with your WordPress website?
By the end of this guide, you will be well-equipped to transform your WordPress website into a multilingual masterpiece.
In this comprehensive tutorial, you will uncover:
Key considerations Manual translation Automatic translation Using GTranslate Let’s get started.
What is a multilingual website?
From the name itself, a multilingual website is a website that offers content in two or more languages .
It ensures that your content is accessible to a broader audience , no matter where they're from or what language they speak.
There are two primary approaches to creating a multilingual website:
Manual translation Automatic translation Regardless of the approach you choose, the goal remains the same:
To communicate effectively with a global audience, break down language barriers, and ensure your message is both understood and appreciated.
After understanding the significance of a multilingual website, it's equally vital to ensure it runs seamlessly across different regions and languages.
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Advantages of a Multilingual Website
But why create a multilingual website? What can you possibly get from it?
1. Enhanced User Experience
Studies have revealed that a significant 56.2% of consumers
When visitors feel at home on your site, they're more likely to stay longer, explore more, and engage with your content.
By offering them the choice to navigate your website in their own language, you're essentially removing any linguistic obstacles in their path.
It’s like providing a guided tour in a museum in the visitor's native tongue:
Not only do they understand the information better — but they also appreciate the effort you've taken to make their journey smoother.
2. Increased Trust and Credibility
Trust is a cornerstone of online interactions.
When users see that you've made the effort to present your content in their language, it sends a strong message.
It tells them that you value and respect their needs.
In fact, a notable 57% of consumers negative bias , showcasing that businesses need to localize to demonstrate caring and trust.
3. SEO Benefits
Search engine optimization (SEO) isn't just about keywords and backlinks — it's also about relevance and user satisfaction.
When you have a multilingual website, you naturally increase the breadth of your content , creating more indexable pages.
This, in turn, amplifies your organic search visibility and improves rankings.
In fact, multilingual websites have been shown to enhance organic search visibility improving rankings in search results.
4. Open Doors to Global Markets
A multilingual website isn't just a digital asset — it's a powerful tool for global expansion.
When you cater to multiple languages, you're essentially signaling to the global market that you're ready and equipped to do business with them.
Whether you're selling products, offering services, or sharing information, a multilingual approach allows you to tap into markets that were previously out of reach.
For example, our Elementor Pro templates
In the long run, this global approach can lead to increased sales, partnerships, and growth opportunities in regions you hadn't considered before.
Key Considerations in a Multilingual Website
Before diving in, it's crucial to ponder on some key considerations and questions that you may already have.
Let's explore them, starting with the fundamental question:
Should you really create a multilingual WordPress website?
From the discussion about its benefits earlier, you now learn that it’s beneficial.
But do you have to create it now?
Understanding Your Audience Demographics
Before deciding on whether to make your website multilingual, it's crucial to have a clear grasp of your audience's makeup.
There are three ways for you to gauge whether it’s right for your audience now to have a multilingual website:
Traffic analysis Engagement metrics Feedback and requests For example, you can check your Google Analytics > Reports > User > Demographic details :
This data can show you the countries and regions that contribute the most traffic to your site.
If you notice a high volume of visitors from countries where English isn't the primary language, it's a strong indicator that a multilingual setup could benefit you.
Aligning with Business Goals
Your business objectives should be at the forefront of any major decision, including transitioning to a multilingual website.
Here's how to align this choice with your goals:
If you have aspirations to grow your brand or business on a global scale If your product or service appeals to a diverse set of customers from various linguistic backgrounds Offering content in multiple languages showcases your brand as globally conscious and can pave the way for entering new markets.
For instance:
If you're selling a product that's popular in both Spanish-speaking and French-speaking regions, offering content in both languages can be a strategic move.
What type of URL structure to use?
When setting up a multilingual website, one of the critical decisions you will need to make is how to structure your URLs to accommodate different languages.
1. Subdirectory URL Structure
The subdirectory structure involves adding a specific directory (or folder) to your main domain for each language.
For instance, if your main website is in English and you're adding Russian content, your URL might look like ‘example.com/ru/'.
Darrel Wilson’s site is a good example:
👍 Pros
SEO benefits : Centralized multilingual content improves domain authority, boosting search rankingsEasy setup : Quicker to implement than subdomainsSimplified management : Streamlined content, backups, and updates managementUnified branding : Consistent branding with the main domain across all language versions 👎 Cons
Content confusion risk : Mismanagement may lead to language directory confusion when content updates aren't synchronizedGeo-targeting dependency : SEO may require geo-targeting tools to ensure proper regional ranking for language directories
2. Subdomain URL Structure
The subdomain structure places each language on its own subdomain .
Following the previous example, the Russian content would be located at ‘ru.example.com'.
For a real-world, take a look at Nikon’s website:
👍 Pros
Content segregation : Each language is distinct, reducing content confusionHosting flexibility : Subdomains can be on different servers, optimizing performance by regionGeo-targeting : Easily geo-target subdomains for better regional SEO 👎 Cons
SEO complexity : Subdomains need separate authority building, which is time-consumingManagement challenges : Coordinating content, backups, and updates for multiple subdomains is complexTechnical setup : Creating a multilingual subdomain site involves technical tasks like SSL certificates and domain management
👋 My recommendations
If you don’t want any hassles, I recommend using the subdirectory approach.
It offers a more straightforward setup, consolidated domain authority for SEO, and an easier management experience.
The primary plugin I recommend offers both methods — but using subdomains is far easier to set up and manage.
We’re getting a little technical here, but bear with me for a moment:
HREFLANG tags are snippets of code that you can add to the header of your web pages.
Their primary purpose is to tell search engines about the language and geographical targeting of a specific page.
Basically, they guide search engines to serve the correct language version of a page to users based on their locale.
For example:
If you have an English version of your website targeting US users and an Italian version targeting users in Italy, HREFLANG tags can help ensure that users in the US see the English version, while those in Italy see the Italian version in search results.
Here’s a good illustration from Ahrefs
👍 Benefits of Using HREFLANG Tags
Enhanced user experience : Directing users to their language and region improves engagement with native contentPrevent duplicate content : HREFLANG tags signal to search engines that similar content is localized, avoiding SEO penaltiesSEO improvement : Clear language and regional targeting enhance search results accuracy, boosting rankingsReduced bounce rate : Relevant content decreases immediate exits, lowering bounce rates and benefiting SEO
Given the benefits, the answer leans heavily towards “yes.” However, it's essential to implement HREFLANG tags correctly.
Incorrect usage can lead to more harm than good, causing confusion for search engines and potentially impacting your site's SEO.
Consider using tools or plugins specifically designed for this purpose or consulting with an SEO expert to ensure proper implementation.
For starters, you can check out Geotargetly
For a multilingual website aiming to provide users with a seamless and relevant experience, consider adding HREFLANG tags as a best practice worth adopting.
Manual Translation vs. Automatic Translation
A crucial decision you will face is how to go about translating your content.
Broadly speaking, there are two main approaches — manual translation and automatic translation.
Each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Manual Translation
When we talk about manual translation, we're referring to translations done by humans .
These are professional translators or bilingual individuals who understand the nuances, idioms, and cultural contexts of both the source and target languages.
👍 Pros
Precision : Human translators grasp context, tone, and nuances for accurate translationsCultural adaptation : Manual translators consider cultural nuances for audience resonanceVersatility : Humans adapt to various content types, from technical to creativeSuperior quality : Professional manual translation yields polished and professional website content 👎 Cons
Time-consuming : Especially for large volumesCosts : Professional translation services are an expense, especially for regular updates or extensive websitesScalability challenges : Rapid content production or multilingual expansion may strain manual translation capabilities
Professional Translation Agencies
Professional translation agencies are establishments that specialize in providing translation services across a variety of industries and languages.
These agencies typically employ a team of certified translators who have undergone rigorous training and have extensive experience in translation.
Semantix is a good example:
These agencies often have quality control processes in place, ensuring that the translations they deliver are of the highest standard.
They can handle large volumes of content, provide translations for specialized industries (like medical or legal), and offer additional services like localization or interpretation.
⛔ Warning : Unfortunately, this quality comes at a cost, as agencies might charge higher fees than individual freelancers or automated tools.
Moreover, turnaround times might be longer compared to automated solutions, especially if the agency has a thorough review process.
Freelance platforms, such as Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr, offer a marketplace where individuals or businesses can connect with freelance translators from around the world.
These platforms allow you to post your translation job, review bids from translators, and choose someone who fits your budget and requirements.
Here’s an example from Upwork:
The primary advantage of using freelance platforms is flexibility.
You can find translators for rare languages, negotiate prices, or even hire multiple translators for faster turnaround times.
Additionally, the platforms often have rating and review systems, allowing you to gauge the quality and reliability of a translator based on feedback from previous clients.
The problem is — consistency can be an issue, especially if you're hiring different freelancers for various tasks.
While many talented and professional translators use these platforms, there's also a risk of encountering individuals who might not deliver the quality you expect.
Translation Communities
Translation communities are online forums or groups where individuals discuss languages, share knowledge, or offer informal translation assistance.
For example, you can find Facebook groups that are either specific for translation services or groups where people from that language meet up.
Here’s an example
These communities can be valuable if you have specific questions about a language, need help with a short phrase, or want to understand cultural nuances.
Since members often have a passion for languages, you can get insights and perspectives that are both in-depth and authentic.
However, translation communities might not be the best choice for professional or large-scale translation needs.
👋 My recommendations
If you want to do a manual translation of your website, I recommend finding capable and trustworthy freelance translators.
Since you’re starting out, keeping the cost down might help, and you can control the workflow quite easily.
Just make sure to vet the translators properly. Most freelance platforms have a refund/client protection policy in place to protect you.
Automatic Translation
Automatic translation, especially when integrated into WordPress using plugins, provides a streamlined way to make your website multilingual.
These plugins use machine translation engines, such as Google Translate or DeepL, to convert your content into various languages automatically.
👍 Pros
Speed : Automatic plugins quickly translate your website, taking minutes to hours based on content sizeCost-effective : Plugin translations are budget-friendly, especially for content-rich sitesUser-friendly : Most plugins are easy to set up with a few clicks, requiring minimal tech knowledgeSeamless updates : Plugins can automatically translate new content, keeping your multilingual site currentDiverse language support : Some plugins offer dozens of languages, broadening your audience effortlessly 👎 Cons
Quality : Machine translations may lack nuance and cultural sensitivity compared to humansContextual errors : Automation can misinterpret context, resulting in inaccuraciesLimited customization : Some plugins allow manual corrections but may be cumbersome for extensive editsSEO concerns : Incorrect settings can cause SEO problems with automatic translationsExternal service reliance : Certain plugins depend on external translation engines, which can have limitations, costs, or downtime
Below are the WordPress multilingual plugins I recommend:
GTranslate
GTranslate leverages Google Translate's automatic translation service to translate your website content.
It's known for its ease of use and integration with the well-established Google Translate engine.
💻 Key features
Over 100 languages : Supports translations in more than 100 languagesNeural translations : Makes use of Google's neural machine translation for improved accuracySEO features : URL translation and the addition of hreflang attributes ensure that your site remains SEO-friendlyTranslation editing : Allows manual corrections to machine translationsLanguage switcher widget : Offers a customizable language switcher widget that can be placed anywhere on your site
💰 Pricing
Has a free version that includes a language switcher Paid plans start from $9.99/month With the paid plans, you will be able to enable search engine indexing and translation editing (you can edit the translated texts directly).
More advanced features like URL translation and language hosting (on top-level country domain names) are available on higher plans.
Weglot
Weglot simplicity and integration .
It provides automatic translations but also allows for manual refinements, ensuring both speed and quality.
💻 Key features
Instant translations : Automatically translates your website upon activationTranslation dashboard : A centralized dashboard to manage and refine translationsSEO optimized : Generates SEO-friendly URLs for all translated contentCompatible with all themes and plugins : Ensures that translations work seamlessly, regardless of your site's setupTeam collaboration : Allows teams to work together on translations with different roles and permissions
💰 Pricing
Has a free version with up to 2,000 words Paid plans start from €15/month What I like most about Weglot’s pricing is that basically, their prices are based on the translated words and languages.
The useful features you need are available in the cheapest plan, while the higher plans include the ability to add team members, translated URLs, custom languages, and more.
WordPress Multilingual Plugin (WPML)
WPML most well-known and comprehensive WordPress translation plugins.
It allows both manual and automatic translations , making it a versatile choice for websites of all sizes.
👉 Related : WPML Plugin Review: Worth Your Time and Money? (Updated)
💻 Key features
Multiple translation options : Supports manual translations, professional translation services, and automatic machine translationsString translation : Allows translation of themes, plugins, and other non-post contentTranslation management : Provides tools to manage translators and translation jobs efficientlyMultilingual ecommerce : Compatible with WooCommerce, making it suitable for multilingual online storesMedia translation : Enables translation of media titles, descriptions, and alt texts
💰 Pricing
Comes in three plans:
Multilingual blog for €39/year Multilingual CMS for €99/year Multilingual agency for €199/year The lowest plan will give you standard translation controls good for 1 production and 3 development websites.
Higher plans will give you access to features like automatic translation, page builders support, and full site editing.
👋 My recommendations
GTranslate is the simplest solution of the three that I have suggested above, and it’s also the one I recommend.
In fact, if you’re still on the experimental side, you can try out GTranslate and its features for creating a multilingual website for free.
The best alternative to it is Weglot because of its no-nonsense pricing, even if it’s not specifically made for WordPress alone.
Now that we’ve talked about the power of automatic translations using different plugins, it's time to think about the visual presentation.
Darrel Wilson presents an enticing proposition.
Get lifetime access to all premium template kits designed specifically for Elementor:
Complete with 2 years of dedicated support Only for $99 — and that's for lifetime access Dive into a collection of Elementor templates crafted to complement your multilingual site seamlessly. Elevate your multilingual WordPress site with the best in design and functionality.
How to Use GTranslate
GTranslate is a user-friendly plugin that leverages the power of Google Translate to make your WordPress website multilingual.
If you prefer watching a video, Darrel created a tutorial on translating a website to make it multilingual using GTranslate:
Let's discuss how to set up and use GTranslate:
Part 1: Installation and Activation
On your website, search for “gtranslate” on the plugin search bar.
Click the install now button for “Translate WordPress with GTranslate”, and then activate the plugin.
Now, if you want to test out the plugin by using the free version, you don’t have to register on the site.
But if you want to use their paid version, go to their pricing section on the home page and select the plan you want to start with:
The tweaking and configurations are all found on the WordPress plugin settings.
On the website, you will be able to see the usage statistics (only for the paid plans).
Part 2: Configuring GTranslate
One of the reasons why I like GTranslate is because of how easy it is to set up.
After activating the plugin, go to the settings > GTranslate on the left panel of the WordPress admin dashboard:
Naturally, there are fewer settings available in the free version — but it’s still generous and will allow you to completely set up a multilingual website.
For reference, this is what you will see if you’re using the free version :
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to have the translated pages get indexed on Google since there are no separate pages for the translated pages.
Basically, the plugin just translates the contents of a page on the spot when a reader clicks on a language on the switcher.
In contrast, here is what you see on a paid plan :
With the paid plan:
You can select the type of URL structure to use You can add HREFLANG tags automatically In addition, you can have the plugin detect the browser’s language and change into automatically.
Anyway, all you have to do here is configure the widget options, the languages to translate to, and the color options.
If you don’t want to use a floating language selector or have the widget show in the menu, you can add the widget to a specific section of your website.
Go to the appearance > widgets page and add the widget to the widget section of your choice:
Part 3: Using the Language Switcher
After configuring the GTranslate widget, you can then find it on the front end of the website.
If you opted to place the language switcher in a widget section , like in the footer widget section, this is what you get:
If you place open to create a floating language selector, then you will find it on the spot where you indicated.
⚠️ Note : Since it’s a floating language selector widget, it will follow the user around as he/she scrolls through the pages — hence the “floating” in the option.
Just a reminder on the difference between using a free version and a paid version after clicking on a language from the language selector:
For the free version, GTranslate will translate all the texts on the page/site and replace the words instantaneously For the paid version, GTranslate will still translate the texts, quickly refresh the page, and redirect to its language site subdirectory or subdomain
Using Manual Translation for Your Multilingual Website
If you’re curious about how to use the manual translation route, I’ll explain here an overview of what you need to do.
1. Assess your content
Before you jump into translating, take a step back and see what you've got.
Think about what parts of your site truly matter to your international visitors. Let's make sure you're giving them what they want.
⚙️ How to implement
Take inventory of all the pages and posts in your site (you can use a tool like Screaming Fog or any SEO tool that has this capability). Sort out all your pages and posts and determine which ones are the most important to translate first. You can also use Google Analytics to check which pages are popular and mark them to be translated first.
In Google Analytics, you can go to engagement > pages and screens: page title and screen class to see which pages get the most views:
Make your content feel right at home for your new audience. It's called localization, and it's the secret sauce.
In case you’re adding new content, make sure you’re also thinking about what needs to be translated next.
2. Choose the right translators
Getting your content out there in another language isn't just about changing words.
It's about keeping the essence, the feel, and the context intact. That's why picking the right translators is important .
⚙️ How to implement
If you have the budget, consider bringing on board professional translators who really get what you’re talking about. If you need to manage costs, freelance translators might be your answer (look for them on Upwork or Fiverr). Vet your translators — read reviews about them, ask for samples, and test them out with a small project first.
For example, in Upwork, you can visit the freelancer’s profile and check his/her past work and reviews from past clients:
Keep an open line with your translators. Feedback loops ensure your content hits the mark every time.
3. Translation process
Translating your content isn't a simple hand-off.
It's a collaborative dance between you and your translator. To make sure your message stays on point, you need to set the stage right.
⚙️ How to implement
Send them the pages, posts, and any elements that need to be translated — prioritize the most important ones first. Paint the whole scene — the more context you provide, the closer the translation will be to your original intent. Set up a back-and-forth with your translators (weekly check-in or a dedicated chat channel) and answer any questions they have.
As you know, there could be uncertainties, so make sure you have a solid feedback loop. Be ready to clarify and guide.
The clearer and more open you are with your translators, the better your content will land and reach a new audience.
4. Review and proofread your content
After the translation is done, it's tempting to just push it live.
But hold on a second and make sure it's polished to perfection. This is where reviewing and proofreading come into play.
⚙️ How to implement
Find a native speaker who can spot things the translators might have missed (no need to find another translator here) Go through the translated content and make sure brand terms are used consistently.
It’s easy sometimes to turn a blind eye to consistency.
But don’t let inconsistencies erode your audience’s trust. Always double-check for uniformity in terms, tone, and treatment.
5. Integrate the translators into your website
You've got your translations ready to shine. Now, let's get them up on your site.
But it's not just about copy-pasting. You need a strategy to display these translations effectively and maintain a seamless user experience.
⚙️ How to implement
This is where other plugins can help you since they allow for manual translations where you can copy and paste your translator’s work. It’s ideal if the plugin can handle the URL structure (like GTranslate) — but if not, you really have to sort it out.
It’s better if you get a developer at this point if your plugin doesn’t allow you to easily change the URL structure.
If you want to do it yourself, and you’re going to use subdirectories, using a tool like Filezilla
Besides the URL structure, you also need to think about the HREFLANG tags.
Again, you can check out Geotargetly
6. Quality assurance
You're almost at the finish line.
But before you celebrate, there's one more crucial step: quality assurance.
Make sure everything looks good, feels right, and works perfectly in every language.
⚙️ How to implement
Navigate through each language version in your site like you’re a visitor and check every nook and cranny. Click around the buttons, fill out forms (if there are any), hit the call-to-actions, and go through a mock checkout (if it’s an ecommerce store).
The truth is that:
A minor glitch can leave a lasting impression. So, always be thorough in your quality checks.
Don’t overlook the design as well and see how the translation fits in your site design since some words might be longer than their default language.
Take note of content updates too and update the translation accordingly.
7. SEO for multilingual content
Having your content in multiple languages is fantastic, but what if no one can find it? That's where SEO comes into play.
Make sure your multilingual content isn't just seen but also gets the visibility it deserves on search engines.
⚠️ Note : This is something that you could think about after creating your WordPress multilingual site. You can make adjustments to the translated content.
⚙️ How to implement
Dive into keyword research specific to each language or region that you covered and adapt your meta tags, descriptions, and content. Make sure you have your HREFLANG tags installed by this point to ensure French visitors aren’t landing on your Spanish content by mistake. 😅
Multilingual SEO isn't just regular SEO times two (or three or four):
It's about understanding and catering to each specific audience. The better you tailor your content to local searches, the higher you will rank.
Creating a Multilingual Website
Making your WordPress website multilingual can elevate user experience and tap into global audiences.
Whether you choose manual or automatic translation, ensure content authenticity and SEO optimization.
In this interconnected era, speaking to a global audience isn't just beneficial—it's essential.
Expand your digital reach by making the multilingual move.
With the knowledge of setting up a multilingual WordPress site, you recognize it's not just about translations, but also a design that appeals universally.
Facing challenges with themes and templates that don't quite match your vision? Darrel Wilson offers a solution you won't want to miss.
Get lifetime access to all premium template kits designed specifically for Elementor:
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