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How to Make a WordPress Site Multilingual — 4 Methods from Easy to Hard

Nolan聊2 min readWordPress

How do you make a WordPress site multilingual? TranslatePress is the simplest choice; alternatives include subdomain setups and full migrations. Here's how each works.

To add languages to an existing Chinese WordPress site, pick from these methods:

The simplest, most effective route is a plugin that adds language switching — good for both SEO and UX.

  1. WPML (WordPress Multilingual Plugin) (paid)
    • Powerful, handles many languages
    • Translates pages, posts, products, menus, URLs, SEO metadata
  2. Polylang (free + paid)
    • Manual translation with an independent version per language
    • Compatible with Elementor and WooCommerce
  3. TranslatePress (free + paid)
    • Edit translations directly on the front end
    • Supports AI machine translation (Google Translate integration)

TranslatePress multilingual plugin

Steps (using WPML as the example):

  1. Install the plugin → search WPML in the plugin market.
  2. Set the default language → your site is Chinese, so default to Simplified Chinese.
  3. Add a language → choose English in WPML settings.
  4. Translate content:
    • Manually: open each post, click "+", add the English version.
    • Automatically (needs an API or WPML's higher tier): DeepL or Google Translate API.
  5. Add a language switcher to the menu.
  6. Test and optimize → check pages and SEO friendliness.

Method 2: Subdirectory or subdomain (for independently managed language versions)

If you want the English version run independently (separate team, separate SEO strategy), use a subdirectory or subdomain.

  • Subdirectory (example.com/en/):
    1. Add the language subdirectory under WordPress Settings > General.
    2. Install a multilingual plugin (WPML or Polylang).
    3. Install WordPress under /en/ and manage English content separately.
  • Subdomain (en.example.com):
    1. Create en.example.com in your hosting panel (cPanel, Cloudflare).
    2. Install a separate WordPress instance for English.
    3. Manage content with WPML or manual translation.

Method 3: AI machine translation (for bulk work)

Don't want to translate by hand? Use AI:

  • Google Translate API
  • DeepL API
  • ChatGPT API

How:

  1. Install TranslatePress.
  2. Enable machine translation, connecting Google Translate or DeepL.
  3. Auto-translate everything, then manually fix the rough spots.

Method 4: Clone the site as a standalone English site (for large projects)

For complex sites, a separate WordPress installation is the cleanest way to maintain English.

  • Create a new WordPress site on the same server (example.com & en.example.com).
  • Copy the content and translate.
  • Run separate SEO strategies.

Which to pick

  • Fast launch & low cost → WPML or Polylang.
  • Independent language management → subdirectory or subdomain.
  • Bulk translation → AI translation + manual proofreading.
  • Large site, long-term → standalone WordPress site.

FAQ

What is the easiest way to make a WordPress site multilingual?
A multilingual plugin — WPML is the most complete (paid), Polylang starts free, and TranslatePress lets you edit translations right on the front end with built-in AI machine translation, making it the easiest to start with.
Plugin, subdomain, or a separate site — which multilingual setup should I choose?
For a fast, low-cost launch use WPML or Polylang; for independently run language versions use a subdirectory or subdomain; for bulk translation connect TranslatePress to the Google or DeepL API; for large long-term projects clone a standalone English WordPress site.
Can AI translate an entire WordPress site automatically?
Yes. Install TranslatePress, enable AI machine translation with the Google Translate or DeepL API, let it translate every page, then manually review the rough spots.

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