If you have a WordPress site, you may know about the many plugins that are out today. I have looked at many of them, too, and you can check them out. Today, I want to talk about a plugin that helps you make your site in many languages. So, if you want users to read your site in their own language, keep reading.
Like all plugins, WPML.com has good and bad sides, and we can all agree that WPML is not perfect. But since I am taking the time to look at it, this plugin is worth it. You can visit WPML.com and see what it has, or keep reading my review. It’s up to you.
About the WPML Plugin
First, WPML is not free. I have looked at many free plugins in case you do not want to spend money. If you know why having many languages on your site is excellent, then keep reading. WPML stands for WordPress Multilingual Plugin, and it’s one of the most popular plugins to make your WordPress site available in many languages.
We all know that Chrome has a “translate” option on any page, but we also know that it’s not always good. If you have visited a site in a different language and tried to use Google Translate, it probably didn’t make sense. WPML does not work like that. This plugin will really translate your site, not just use Google Translate.
With WPML, you can use many languages on the same website with just one plugin. This means you can reach more people than just English speakers (or speakers of any one language). Sure, you could do the translations yourself, but if you have a plugin that does it, why do it yourself?
WPML works well with most WordPress themes and plugins. It is also suitable for SEO and works well with Yoast SEO and other SEO tools. OnTheGoSystems made WPML. It has been around for a while, but it gets regular updates and offers excellent support.
Why Have a Site in Many Languages?
The internet is not just for English speakers. Having a site in many languages is a good idea. Most people online know some English, but other languages are widely used, and adding them to your site will help you reach more people. This means you can turn visitors into real customers.
If you do not speak English as your primary language, you know it can be hard to find websites in your own language. Sure, they are out there, but there could be more. Even people who speak English well would like a site in their own language.
Also, if you add another language, your sales could grow. Imagine adding more than one language… then your sales could grow even more! A site in many languages can also help build trust, especially for people who may not feel sure about buying online.
If that does not help you see why adding more languages is a good idea, here is one more reason. Every site has competition. I am sure your competition only has one or two languages. Now think, if you add more languages to your site, you will stand out from your competitors.
It’s Not Free…
I already said this, but if you missed it, WPML is not free. When you visit their site, you will be asked if you want to buy and get the plugin. There are three options to buy, and each one gives you different things. The more you pay, the more you get.
Here are the options:
- Multilingual Blog ($29) – Made for blogs to use many languages.
- Multilingual CMS ($79) – A good option for making your WordPress site multilingual.
- Multilingual Agency ($159) – The best choice for agencies making many multilingual sites.
You can visit WPML’s website to see what each one offers, as there is a lot to explain, and I’m too lazy to say it all.
How Does WPML Work?
So, how do you get started? First, pick one of the plans above and buy it. Then, install the plugin. Don’t worry, there’s a guide to help you install WPML, so you can’t mess it up. Then, choose your site’s language, add language switchers, and register WPML.
WPML includes Translation Management, which helps you send pages for translation. The first time you use Translation Management, you will get a guide to help you set it up. WPML also works well with the new WordPress editor called Gutenberg. You can even translate your site without using Translation Management, and you can learn how in the setup guide.
WPML is easy to use. Once you install and turn it on, it will walk you through the steps. You can’t mess it up. With WPML, you can translate anything on your WordPress site, like posts, custom post types, tags, pages, page builder content, plugin text, themes, custom fields, and more.
WPML Addons
WPML comes with many addons that enhance the core plugin. It’s essential to install the core plugin, but whether you install the addons is up to you. Here are some of the addons:
- WPML String Translation: This lets you translate words and phrases directly from WordPress, without needing .mo files.
- WPML Translation Management: This tool helps you manage translations on your site. You can add translators, give them tasks, and more.
- WPML Media Translation: This addon lets you control which images appear in each language on your site.
- WooCommerce Multilingual: This addon helps you make a multilingual eCommerce site.
- BuddyPress Multilingual: This addon enables translating BuddyPress websites and creating multilingual social networks.
Great Website Design and Support
I was not shocked to see that WPML has a good website design. Everything is where it should be, so you can easily find what you need. Also, their support is excellent. If you have any problems, contact support, and they will help. There is also a support forum, which is like an FAQ page.
Bottom Line
WPML is one of the best plugins to make your WordPress site multilingual. With this plugin, you can translate your site into many languages. It’s easy to use, and the idea of only having one language on your site is old-fashioned.
Sure, WPML costs money, but if you want to grow your site’s traffic and get more customers, it’s a good investment. WPML works with almost every WordPress theme and plugin, so you don’t need to worry about compatibility. This is one of the best WordPress plugins because having a multilingual website is so essential in 2022.
