When your WordPress website has the ability to translate, it allows you to reach a wider audience around the world. Instead of just speaking to native English speakers, you can reach a multilingual audience from all over the world. It will require a translation plugin to make it multilingual, but there are seven fantastic options to choose from that will make it happen for you. Check out these tips and top choices for choosing a translation plugin from WordPress.
How to select your translation plugin
You can install WordPress to be in your own language allowing you to create content in your own language, but now you have the option to create a multilingual site. There are tons of translation plugins for WordPress that can be used in WordPress that are characterized by ones that either allow you to create multilingual content on your site or ones that use an online translation service to translate your content. Your translation quality will be much better in the first option but there are still two routes you can go.
WPML
Your first great option is the WPML plugin, one of the most popular WordPress multilingual plugins. You will have to pay for this but it will come with a year of premium support. You’ll be able to create multilingual websites with this plugin allowing you to translate all of your pages, posts, and menus into any language you need. You’ll even be set up with a professional translation service allowing you to hire someone to translate your content.
Xili-language
Check out this option if you need something free for your multilingual needs on WordPress. It’s not only free, but it works wonderfully to give you multilingual abilities for your content. It can even change your theme’s language in some cases. It will give you the comprehensive tools you need to build your multilingual sites. It will work well with WordPress compliant themes and popular plugins.
Google Language Translator
Check out this option for those that want to have an easy way to add Google Translate to your site. Many website owners want simple translation tools and just use Google Translate for help. The Google Language Translator plugin is great for translating your content without much time or energy.
Polylang
Another top choice for a translation plugin is Polylang, a free plugin for creating multilingual content in however many languages you need. Users can choose the preferred language and it will download the respective WordPress language packs.
qTranslate X
Check out qTranslate X, another free WordPress plugin for multilingual needs, is similar to WPML and Polylang. Easily create multilingual content by switching languages while editing. Plus, this one works with third-party add-ons that are free.
Gtranslate – Google Translate
If you like the idea of using Google, check out another free option called Gtranslate. You can add language switcher powered by Google if you need your web pages translated. You can even translate in a new window to look at the original vs. the translation.
Transposh WordPress Translation
This one is a little more futuristic. Transposh WordPress Translation allows your users to select any text on a page and add their own translation. It allows your users to translate content on your website by combining automatic machine translations with user translation.
These top seven options for WordPress translation plugins should help you decide which one to add to your site. Now you can reach a wider audience without a language barrier holding you back.