How to be Multilingual on WordPress? 4 Ways from Easy to Hard

How to do multilingual on WordPress? Using TranslatePress is the easiest option, other options will be subdomain programs, relocation programs, etc. This article briefly explains to you how to do it.

To add multiple languages to an existing Chinese website on WordPress, you can choose from the following options:

Method 1: Use of multilingual plug-ins (recommended)

The easiest and most effective way to do this is to install a multi-language plugin that allows the site to support multi-language switching. This applies to SEO and user experience optimization.

Recommended Plugins:

1. WPML (WordPress Multilingual Plugin)(paid)
   • Powerful and multilingual management
   • Translates pages, articles, products, menus, URLs, SEO metadata, etc.
2. Polylang(free + paid version)
   • Support for manual translation, creation of separate versions for each language
   • Compatible with Elementor, WooCommerce
3. TranslatePress(free + paid version)
   • Allow editing of translations directly on the front-end
   • AI machine translation support (Google Translate integration)

Steps to use (using WPML as an example):

1. Installation of plug-ins → Search in the WordPress Plugin Marketplace WPML and installed.
2. Setting the default language → Your site is in Chinese, so set the default language to Chinese (Simplified)The
3. Add new language → In the WPML settings select EnglishThe
4. Translation content::
   • manual translation: Go to each article and click on the "+" sign to add content in English.
   • automatic translation(requires API or advanced version of WPML): machine translation using DeepL, Google Translate API.
5. Creating a language switching menu → Add in the menu Language switching buttonThe
6. Tested and optimized → Check pages, SEO friendliness, and ensure a smooth user experience.

Method 2: Use of subdirectories or subdomains (for separately administered language versions)

If you want the English version to operate independently (e.g. different teams, SEO strategy), you can use the subdirectories maybe subdomain to manage.

• subdirectories(example.com/en/):
  1. In WordPress Settings > General Add a language subdirectory to the
  2. Installation of multi-language plug-ins (e.g. WPML or Polylang).
  3. exist /en/ directory to install WordPress and manage English content separately.
• subdomain(en.example.com):
  1. In the host panel (e.g. cPanel, Cloudflare) create the en.example.com Subdomains.
  2. Install a separate WordPress site dedicated to the English version.
  3. utilization WPML maybe manual translation Perform content management.

Method 3: Using AI machine translation (suitable for batch translation)

If you don't want to translate manually, you can use an AI tool to translate automatically:

• Google Translate API
• DeepL API
• ChatGPT API

Manner of operation:

1. Install TranslatePress Plug-ins.
2. Enabling AI machine translationlink Google Translate maybe DeepL API.
3. Automatic translation of all pages, and then manually adjust the inaccuracies.

Method 4: Clone the website and create a separate English site (suitable for large projects)

If your site has complex content, it's best to use Standalone WordPress site Maintains the English version.

• Create new WordPress websites on the same server (example.com & en.example.com).
• Copy the content and translate it.
• Manage with different SEO strategies.

Recommended Programs (select as needed)

• Fast Go-Live & Low Cost of Ownership → Use WPML or Polylang Plug-ins.
• Multi-language stand-alone management → Use subdirectories maybe subdomainThe
• Mass translation → Combined AI machine translation + manual calibrationThe
• Large site, long term development → Standalone WordPress siteThe