Translating your WordPress website isn’t just a technical upgrade — it’s a gateway to the world. If your goal is to attract international traffic, build trust with diverse users, and increase conversions globally, then making your site multilingual is an essential move. This guide walks you through how to translate a WordPress website step-by-step, whether you’re using TranslatePress, WPML, or planning a hybrid strategy.
WordPress is inherently flexible, but not multilingual by default. Still, with the right tools and strategy, translating your WordPress website can be intuitive, manageable, and incredibly rewarding. Let’s walk through the what, why, and most importantly — the how.
From its open-source nature to a vast plugin ecosystem, WordPress empowers businesses and bloggers around the globe. Yet, without multi-language support, its global potential remains capped. That’s where translation plugins step in.
Translating your website provides tangible benefits far beyond aesthetics or inclusivity.
And yes, according to Common Sense Advisory, 72% of consumers spend most or all of their time on websites in their own language.
Before you dive into plugins, pause to plan.
You can approach translation in three primary ways:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Manual (copy/paste) | Total control | Time-consuming |
| Automatic plugins | Fast, efficient | May require post-editing |
| Professional services | Accurate, high quality | Higher cost |
Combining manual precision with plugin convenience often yields the best result.
Two standout plugins dominate the scene:
Both are SEO-friendly, compatible with popular themes, and support WooCommerce.
Settings > TranslatePress and select the default and additional languages.WPML > Languages to configure your languages.WPML > Translation Management to assign jobs.| Feature | TranslatePress | WPML |
|---|---|---|
| Translation Type | Front-end | Back-end |
| Auto Translation | Google Translate, DeepL | External APIs |
| Cost | Freemium | Paid (starts at $29/year) |
| WooCommerce Support | Yes (via addon) | Yes |
| Ideal For | Simpler needs, visual editing | Complex, large multilingual projects |
Dynamic elements like menus, forms, and widgets need attention.
Neglecting SEO metadata in translations is a common mistake.
Translate:
Ensure each language version has optimized keywords for local search intent.
To rank high in multiple languages:
Choose wisely for both UX and SEO:
| Structure | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Subdirectory | /fr/ | example.com/fr/ |
| Subdomain | fr. | fr.example.com |
| Separate domain | .fr | example.fr |
WPML supports all three; TranslatePress supports subdirectories.
In TranslatePress, assign custom translator roles.
In WPML, manage a workflow system with job queues and deadlines.
Auto-translate tools are great starting points but always require review.
Don’t just translate. Localize design too:
Yoast SEO helps enforce readability, transition words, passive voice, and keyword optimization — even in multiple languages.
Use short sentences, clear paragraphs, and transition words. Tools like Yoast SEO check your Flesch Reading Ease score for every language.
Can I use both TranslatePress and WPML together?
No, you should only use one translation plugin at a time to avoid conflicts.
Does Google rank translated content?
Yes, if each language is properly indexed and optimized with unique metadata.
Should I translate everything, including blog posts?
Ideally, yes — especially high-performing content.
What’s the best language structure for SEO?
Subdirectories are a safe and SEO-friendly choice for most.
Do I need to translate my site manually?
Not necessarily. Automatic translation can be a base, but human revision is critical.
Is TranslatePress free?
Yes, for one additional language. More require a premium license.
Learning how to translate a WordPress website is your golden ticket to global reach. Whether you’re just starting or scaling across continents, translation builds trust, improves user experience, and opens doors you didn’t even know existed. Choose the right tools, plan your structure, optimize for SEO, and you’ll be multilingual-ready in no time.
Premium Lingua delivers expert translation, localization, and transcription services to help brands connect with global audiences.
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