If you serve a large and diverse client base, you’ve likely looked for ways to create a multilingual site with WordPress, but in a much simpler way.
While English is the most popular language on the internet, accounting for 58.8% of all websites , offering your site in multiple languages can help you attract more customers and engage with them in meaningful ways. Break down language barriers and show customers how much you care with a multilingual WordPress site.
Definition of a multilingual website
You have two options for creating a multilingual website. Consider these options to choose the one that is right for you.
1. Offer clients a translation tool
WordPress offers plugins that help you provide instant translation of your site into various pages for any preferred language. This powerful tool allows customers to view your site in their preferred language, reducing reading fatigue and increasing engagement.
And the best part is, you don’t have to do all the work. country email list Translation software will do it for you. The catch is that the site is not multilingual. Your customers will still have to work a little to see the content in their preferred language.
2. Truly multilingual websites
True multilingual sites allow the user to switch between languages while browsing. In this case, the site is presented in the default language, but the user can select the desired language.
How many languages you offer is up to you, but for truly multilingual sites you’ll need to create web pages in each language you plan to offer.
There are pros and cons to this approach to creating websites in different languages. The pro is that you know the content is well translated because you control the process. The cons are that you have to pay for a real translator to make the language sound natural. However, regardless, you will be confident that the content meets the needs of your customers and helps them find a common language with you.
While this may seem complicated at first, once you have everything set up, it’s easy to manage your site. If you’re intimidated by the translation part of the project, know that you can start with content from a plugin like TranslatePress and have a translator check it for accuracy so you don’t have to start from scratch with each language you plan to offer.
Benefits of a Multilingual Website
Now that you know how to make a website multilingual, you may be wondering why you should do it. Take a moment to learn about the benefits of creating a multilingual website.
1. Improved user experience
Reading and viewing content in your native language is less tiring. It also helps build a sense of trust and security in customers when shopping online. uae b2b list A European study found that 44% of customers visiting websites in a language other than their own feel they don’t understand some of the content because they don’t fully understand it.
Even if you serve a U.S.-only audience, offering multiple languages can benefit your business in building better customer relationships. This is because many Americans speak multiple languages in their homes. Only 78 percent of U.S. how voice-enabled apps will change ecommerce forever households primarily speak English , while 10 percent primarily speak Spanish. The remaining U.S. households are a mix of languages, representing less than 1 percent of the total population.
