In our interconnected world, getting connected to a global audience is a priority for many website owners. One effective way to broaden your reach is by making your website multilingual. Catering to diverse linguistic preferences not only improves user experience but also opens up new opportunities for engagement. To streamline the process of managing multiple languages on your website, consider incorporating the following essential multilingual plugins in your website for easy management.
Why Make a Multilingual Website?
Establishing a multilingual website extends your online reach, making your content available to a global audience. This inclusivity not only attracts a diverse set of visitors but also fosters increased engagement. Just 18% of EU internet users regularly purchase online in a language different from their own, while 42% never do so. By tailoring your content to different languages, you gain a competitive edge, showcasing cultural sensitivity and earning the trust of users who prefer to navigate websites in their native languages.
Moreover, a multilingual approach positively impacts your website’s visibility on search engines, leading to improved SEO rankings. This strategic move not only aligns with the expectations of a personalized online experience but also positions your website as a trustable source of information and services in various languages. Ultimately, a multilingual website serves as a gateway to emerging markets facilitates better communication, and ensures compliance with legal requirements in regions where language-specific regulations exist.
Top Multilingual Plugins For Multilingual Websites
1. WPML (Content Management + Multicurrency)
WPML is a popular WordPress plugin that simplifies the process of translating and managing content in multiple languages. This multilingual plugin presents a user-friendly interface, allowing you to easily translate pages, posts, and other website elements. With WPML, you can seamlessly switch between languages and provide a localized experience for your visitors.
Additionally, this multilingual plugin provides flexibility in managing different language contents – whether within the same domain (using language directories), through sub-domains, or on entirely different domains. It offers convenient features for efficient translation management, including a translation management dashboard, job queues, and a side-by-side translation editor.
Cons:
While slightly more intricate for beginners compared to some competitors, this multilingual WordPress plugin is a paid service and lacks a free trial option.
Pros:
Being one of the oldest and most well-established applications, it stands as a tried-and-tested solution with clean code. The plugin supports over 40 languages by default, and its language editor allows the addition of language variants, such as Canadian French or Mexican Spanish.
Price:
$108.28 for a yearly subscription.
For more info: Go Global With a Multilingual Website Using the WordPress WPML Plugin
2. Polylang (Craft Content)
Polylang, with a history spanning nine years, proudly boasts over 100,000 active installations. This WordPress translation plugin empowers users to craft content, including pages, posts, files, media, widgets, and tags, in French and select from a diverse range of over 25 offered languages.
Language determination in Polylang is flexible, relying on content specifics, language codes in the URL, or the option to utilize distinct sub-domains or domains for each language. For those satisfied with its free version, Polylang can suffice, but for users seeking additional features, numerous extensions and a pro version, available in the form of licenses, cater to more advanced needs.
Cons:
- Advanced features may require additional extensions or the purchase of a pro version through licenses.
Pros:
- Automatically duplicates categories, post tags, and other metadata when generating a new post or page translation.
- Supports the translation of menus and widgets.
- Offers a customizable language switcher accessible as a widget or navigation menu item.
- Ensures compatibility with WooCommerce and Yoast SEO.
- Free download available.
Price:
- Pro version and WooCommerce version is priced at $108.28 for a yearly subscription.
- Business pack is priced for $152.04 for a yearly subscription.
3. MultilingualPress (Multisite Management)
MultilingualPress is a complimentary plugin tailored for multisite management, while its support services come at a cost. Exclusively designed for WordPress, this plugin facilitates seamless automatic content translations, eliminating the need for substantial website modifications. Adding a new language is a straightforward process – simply duplicate as a subsite and define the desired language.
Cons:
- Site administrators lack the authority to install/uninstall plugins and themes individually, restricting their control.
- Any hacker attack or server downtime impacts all sites collectively.
- In the event of a data breach, all site data is compromised across the board.
Pros:
- Works perfectly with the popular Advanced Custom Fields Plugin.
- More than 800 languages are provided as default.
- Optimized for WooCommerce and Yoast SEO.
- It is Gutenberg Compatible.
- Automatic hreflang support for language sites
Price:
- The standard plan is priced at $99 for a yearly subscription.
- The pro plan is priced at $299 for a yearly subscription.
- The agency plan is priced at $599 for a yearly subscription.
4. TranslatePress (Translation for all pages)
TranslatePress is a user-friendly WordPress translation plugin that is accessible to all. The basic features are offered for free on WordPress.
Its interface enables seamless translation of entire pages, encompassing content from shortcodes, forms, and page builders. Additionally, it seamlessly integrates with WooCommerce right from the start.
Developed in alignment with WordPress standards, TranslatePress – Multilingual stands as a GPL and self-hosted translation plugin, ensuring permanent ownership of all translations. It provides the quickest route to establishing a bilingual or multilingual website.
Cons:
- The free edition allows translation for only one language.
- It lacks SEO support features, making it unsuitable for those aiming to enhance local search rankings.
- For beginners, the cost of a paid TranslatePress plan might be a bit prohibitive.
Pros:
- Seamless compatibility with all themes and plugins.
- Support for 221 languages.
- Integration with Google Translate, enabling Automatic Translation setup.
- Versatile placement of language switchers using shortcode as a floating dropdown menu or as a WordPress menu item.
- Native Gutenberg support, facilitating the straightforward translation of Gutenberg blocks.
Price:
- A personal plan for 1 site is priced at $97.35 for a yearly subscription.
- Business plan for 3 sites is priced at $184 for a yearly subscription.
- The agency plan for unlimited sites is priced at $295 for a yearly subscription.
For more info: TranslatePress for Creating Smart WordPress Multilingual Sites
5. Multilingual Contact Form 7 (Contact Forms)
Enabling the use of Contact Form 7 forms on multilingual pages, this plugin utilizes Polylang and its string translations. Unlike other solutions, there’s no need to create a separate form for each language; you can utilize a single CF7 form across all languages.
Cons:
- The interface is not easy for beginners.
- Support options are limited.
- Works only if the default language is set to English.
- The fundamental plugin relies on third-party add-ons like Polylang for functionality.
- There are no preview options to assess the form’s status or appearance.
Pros:
- Can manage multiple forms and use one form for all languages.
- Simple installation on any WordPress site (compatible with various versions).
- Comes with built-in or pre-made contact forms that can be effortlessly incorporated into any post or page.
- Offers various customizable fields for additional flexibility.
Price:
It is a free plugin.
6. Loco Translate (Translation)
Loco Translate is a freemium WordPress translation plugin designed for developers, features a straightforward user interface that allows translators to fully concentrate on their tasks. The plugin seamlessly integrates with popular translating APIs such as DeepL and Google, streamlining the translation process.
Cons:
- When themes or plugins release updates, manual translation updates are necessary.
- It doesn’t assist in translating content inputted through the WordPress editor or other dynamic sections.
Pros:
- A reasonable pricing structure compared to competitors.
- It provides a free plan with numerous advanced features.
- Recognized as a contender in the Best WordPress Translation Plugins for Multilingual Websites 2024.
- It stands out as an ideal choice for budget-friendly software.
Price:
The free version supports up to 2,000 translations, while the paid version, starting at $5.95/month, offers unlimited translations, languages, and revision history.
7. Weglot (SEO)
Weglot stands as a robust cloud-based WordPress translation plugin that seamlessly integrates multilingual capabilities into your site. Notably, Weglot adheres to best practices in multilingual SEO, ensuring that your translated pages achieve faster rankings.
Being a cloud-based application, you’ll need to input the Weglot API for site connection. Once this initial setup is complete, you’ll specify your site’s primary language and add desired languages. Unlike other on-site WordPress multilingual plugins, Weglot handles all translations on its platform and then deploys them to your live website. A key advantage lies in Weglot’s robust translation management tools, featuring automatic indexing for each translated page.
Cons:
- The free plan has a limitation of up to 2,000 words and supports only one language.
- Upon canceling the subscription, you lose the ability to display translated content.
- Automatic translations frequently require manual corrections.
Pros:
- Dedicated URLs for each language.
- It offers a free version and provides a 10-day trial for premium plans.
- Allows manual translations wherever needed.
- Does not adversely affect your website’s speed.
- Features a customizable language button.
- Enables translation into over 100 languages.
- Includes automatic language redirections.
- Accelerated ranking for all your translated pages.
Price:
Starts from $10 per month for 1 language and 10,000 words, with the PRO plan supporting 5 languages and 200,000 words for $53.60 per month.
Also Read: SEO Tips For Multiregional And Multilingual Websites
Conclusion
These top 7 multilingual plugins stand as indispensable tools for the comprehensive management of multilingual websites. Each plugin listed above brings unique strengths to the table. As the digital landscape becomes increasingly diverse, the versatility and efficiency offered by these plugins empower website owners to create inclusive, globally accessible online experiences. The right choice depends on individual needs, but integrating any of these plugins is a vital step toward unlocking the full potential of a multilingual website.
FAQs
What considerations should I keep in mind while choosing a multilingual plugin?
Consider factors like ease of use, language support, compatibility with your website’s structure, and any additional features needed for your specific requirements.
Do these plugins handle translations for dynamic content, such as user-generated posts?
The ability to translate dynamic content may vary among plugins. It’s advisable to review plugin features and test compatibility with user-generated content if applicable.
Are these multilingual plugins compatible with all WordPress themes?
Most plugins strive for compatibility with various themes, but it’s advisable to check individual plugin documentation for specific theme compatibility.
Do these plugins impact website speed?
Many multilingual plugins are designed to minimize the impact on website speed. However, it’s recommended to choose plugins carefully and consider performance optimizations.
Are there any limitations with free versions of these plugins?
Free versions may have limitations, such as a cap on the number of translations or advanced features. Users might need to upgrade for more extensive functionality.
