How to Create a Multilingual Website
WordPress Tutorials & How-To (Advanced)
How to Create a Multilingual Website in WordPress
A multilingual website helps you reach global audiences, increase conversions, and improve accessibility. Whether you’re building an eCommerce store, blog, LMS, service website, or corporate portal, adding translation support is easier than ever. In this advanced guide, you’ll learn how to create a multilingual website using WPML, Polylang, and TranslatePress — including domain-based languages, SEO optimization, menu translation, and WooCommerce translations.
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Why Build a Multilingual Website?
Reach more users, improve UX, boost SEO.
Translating your website offers major business advantages:
- Grow international traffic
- Improve SEO for each language
- Increase conversions & engagement
- Serve local customers in their language
- Comply with localization requirements
- Improve user trust & experience
Most global brands use multilingual websites to expand globally. Let’s create yours.
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Best Plugins for Multilingual Websites
Choose one based on your needs.
Top recommended plugins:
- WPML — Most powerful & feature-rich
- Polylang — Free + lightweight
- TranslatePress — Visual front-end translations
- Weglot (Paid SaaS) — Automatic cloud translation
Best For:
- Blogs: Polylang, TranslatePress
- WooCommerce Stores: WPML, Weglot
- Corporate Sites: WPML
- LMS/Directories: WPML, TranslatePress
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Method 1 — Create a Multilingual Site Using WPML
The most advanced, full-featured solution.
Step 1 — Install WPML
Install the following WPML modules:
- WPML Multilingual CMS
- String Translation
- Translation Management
- Media Translation
- WPML WooCommerce Multilingual (for stores)
Step 2 — Configure Languages
- Go to WPML → Languages
- Add languages (e.g., English, Hindi, Telugu, French)
- Choose language switcher type:
- Menu
- Sidebar
- Footer
- Floating switcher
Step 3 — Translate Pages/Posts
You get a translation button next to every page:
- Click + to add translation
- Translate manually, or use automatic translation credits
Step 4 — Translate Menus
Go to Appearance → Menus → Switch Language → Create translated menu.
Step 5 — Translate WooCommerce (Optional)
- Products
- Categories
- Attributes
- Checkout text
- Cart messages
WPML is the best option for large-scale multilingual websites.
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Method 2 — Create a Multilingual Site Using Polylang
A lightweight free solution.
Step 1 — Install Polylang
Install the free Polylang plugin from the dashboard.
Step 2 — Add Languages
Go to Languages → Add New Language.
Step 3 — Translate Pages
You will now see language columns on page/post lists.
- Click the “+” icon to add translations
- Each language has a separate version
Step 4 — Translate Menus
Create a separate menu for each language.
Step 5 — Optional WooCommerce Support
Install Polylang for WooCommerce.
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Method 3 — Create a Multilingual Site Using TranslatePress
Translate visually on the front-end.
Step 1 — Install TranslatePress
Free and premium version available.
Step 2 — Choose Your Languages
Go to Settings → TranslatePress.
Step 3 — Translate Visually
Click Translate Site button.
You will get a front-end editor where you can click any text and translate it directly on the page.
Supports Translation of:
- Menus
- Buttons
- Forms
- Popups
- Sliders
- WooCommerce
- Custom fields (ACF)
Great for beginners and visual designers.
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Language Switcher Options
Choose your preferred display style.
You can display language switchers as:
- Header menu item
- Footer link
- Widget/Sidebar
- Floating dropdown
- Country flag switcher
- Switcher inside mobile menu
Add flags for a more user-friendly experience.
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SEO Tips for Multilingual Websites
Crucial for ranking internationally.
1. Enable hreflang Tags
This helps Google understand language variations.
2. Translate Meta Titles & Descriptions
Rank Math supports language-based titles.
3. Use a Separate URL Structure
- domain.com/fr/
- domain.com/es/
- fr.domain.com
- domain.fr
4. Translate Slugs
Each language should have its own URLs.
5. Avoid Machine Translations for Important Pages
Use human translations for accuracy.
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Translate WooCommerce (Products, Cart, Checkout)
E-commerce requires deeper translation.
Translate:
- Products
- Product categories/tags
- Attributes (color, size)
- Cart page
- Checkout
- Order emails
- Store messages
WPML WooCommerce Multilingual is the best option here.
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Troubleshooting Multilingual Issues
Quick fixes for common problems.
1. Language Switcher Not Showing?
- Add switcher manually to menu/footer
- Clear cache
- Disable conflicting plugins
2. URLs Not Translating?
Go to Settings → Permalinks → Save again.
3. Page Not Switching Language?
- Check if page translation exists
- Assign correct languages
4. WooCommerce Strings Not Translating?
Use WPML → String Translation.
5. Elementor Widgets Not Translating?
Use TranslatePress (best for front-end widgets).
Need a Professionally Translated Multilingual Website?
All SiteCrafted premium websites support WPML, Polylang & TranslatePress with pre-configured SEO, language switchers, and WooCommerce compatibility.









