WordPress plugin for a multilingual site

If you are building a website with WordPress and would like to enrich it with additional, custom features without writing code, you have the option of relying on and taking advantage of directory resources.

WordPress, for example, does not provide for the creation of multilingual websites, except by installing special plugins. In the next few lines, we will examine their features to help guide you in choosing the best option for your web project.

Table of contents:
Multilingual WordPress plugins: advantages
Multilingual WordPress plugins: what features?
Domain
Hreflang tags
User experience
Versatility
Six multilingual plugins for WordPress
Weglot
GTranslate
WPML
Google Website translator
Polylang
MultilingualPress
Bottom line.
Multilingual WordPress plugins: advantages
A multilingual website involves translating pages into multiple languages, which in this way target users from different nations.

As mentioned, WordPress does not integrate the multilingual feature by default, so you will need to rely on one of the plugins that allow you to manually translate any text within your website. Choosing the best tool can make all the difference in quality.

By installing a multilingual plugin you can approach three different benefits, which can be categorized into two areas: SEO and increased conversions.

SEO. Strength of a plugin of this type lies in its ability to improve SEO ranking, hence search engine rankings. Google tends to reward websites that offer the possibility for users to be able to read content, consult product pages in multiple languages.

Increased conversions. A multilingual website allows you to reach a wider audience and expand your business network beyond national borders, aspects that significantly affect conversion rates.

The choice of languages to be integrated into the multilingual site are geared according to the target market. By providing data on geographic origin, gender and age, analytics tools can be valuable allies in better understanding where business opportunities can be intercepted.

Multilingual WordPress plugins: what features?
What features should be considered to understand how to make the most of a multilingual plugin?

Domain
When planning to create a multilingual site, it is essential to make the right choices. Among these, the domain extension also has its clear relevance. Opting for a national domain (ccTLD), such as .it or .es, can constrain certain strategic decisions, as these extensions target a certain audience.

Tag hreflang
One of the features to evaluate when you want to integrate a plugin of this type concerns the hreflang tag. Such a system allows you to instruct search engines so that they assign the correct language based on the target country. Opening a Spanish web page from France is definitely not pleasant for the user, by setting hreflang tags such unpleasantness can be avoided. Customarily, tags are set for two main languages: English and reference country.

User experience
Not all plugins chosen may have the same potential, some of them perform extensive translation of content, others do not include smaller captions or marginal elements.

However, accessing a website and setting the desired language in a few clicks contributes to a positive user experience.

Versatility
Multilingual plugins work in two different ways:

automatic translation of content, with the possibility that the quality of it may not be perfect.
Manual translation of part of the content of your website with the support of the chosen plugin. In this case, the translation will come under your supervision.
Six multilingual plugins for WordPress
Below, we take a look at the best multilingual plugins compatible with WordPress.

Weglot
Among the most widely used and versatile plugins is Weglot, capable of automatically translating all content and using the editor to set up manual editing. Its strengths lie in its SEO features and ability to add hreflang tags with great ease.

Manage translations within your Weglot dashboard using the export/import feature. Alternatively, you have the option of assigning translations to others, including outside professionals.

GTranslate
Absolutely valuable alternative, for those who want a quality multilingual plugin, is GTranslate. This software, available in both free and paid versions, allows you to automatically translate web pages into many languages, including text content, tags, menus, widgets, and anything else that appears on the screen. Its strengths include automatic translation and URL translation to optimize SEO.

WPML
One of the most widely used plugins is WPML, an excellent solution for more structured websites, but one that is also well suited to less complex blogs and platforms. The software allows you to translate up to 40 languages and provides both manual and automatic page editing. Strengths include full compatibility and integrability with WooCommerce and excellent SEO features.

Google Website translator
A completely free plugin that allows for good translation is Google Website translator. The tool takes advantage of Google’s automatic translation and is among the lightest, guaranteeing speed in opening pages and up to 100 translatable languages.

You can benefit from a language Switcker via widget that is very interesting for those looking for a graphically pleasing plugin.

Polylang
In recent years, more and more users are relying on Polylang to translate their web pages in real time. Again, you can benefit from a completely free tool capable of supporting several languages and inserting standard widgets.

It stands out for excellent translation of menus and widgets, as well as excellent SEO compatibility. You can also choose the Polylang Pro version, which adds interesting features.

MultilingualPress
Those looking for an extremely powerful premium plugin will find MultilingualPress the ideal solution to implement in WordPress. You can generate an unlimited number of sites and migrate from one translation to another with speed.

Many companies use this plugin for language management, optimization with WooCommerce and SEO strategies.

Bottom line.
Multilingual plugins are a great way to expand the ubiquity of your website and reach new markets. Choosing the ideal tool depends not only on its functionality, but also on how it can adapt to different needs, with the understanding that all the plugins illustrated ensure maximum compatibility with WordPress.