how to make your wordpress site multilingual
DESCRIPTION
Introduction to WordPress Multilingual subject. Good practices, SEO tips for multilingual sites, how to turn your WordPress site into a multilingual site. You can also watch the presentation on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdxW-gC_-P8TRANSCRIPT
Going global
how to make your WordPress site multilingual
About me and the companyAgnes Bury
● now Marketing and Community Manager of OnTheGoSystems
● WP freelancer
OnTheGoSystems
● WPML● Toolset plugins● iCanLocalize
Agenda● Multilingual website –
why it is worth investing
● What is a multilingual site and what it is not
● How to turn your WordPress site into a full multilingual site
● Tips and hints
Languages on the Internet
source: wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_used_on_the_Internet
The benefits of having a multilingual site
For the site owner● you reach more customers● you enhance your professional image● you increase the trust of your visitors● better search engine visibility
For the WP developer● you eliminate show
stoppers for projects with multilingual requirements
● you present a wider range of services
● after gaining some experience - you earn easy money
What is a multilingual site and what is not
source: ms-trade.pl
side by side translation?
gTranlator switcher?
Google's directives● Google tries to determine
the main language of each one of your pages
● Google ignores all code-level language info
● You can help by:
○ sticking to only one language per page
○ using the same language for all elements
● Help Google bots to get your site indexed● automated
translations will be ignored!
● cross-link page by page
● avoid automatic redirections
● provide valuable content
source: http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2010/03/working-with-multilingual-websites.html
How to do it right
Making your WP site a multilingual site
Steps1. choose your solution2. install and configure3. insert the language
switcher4. translate your content5. keep updated
Making your WP site a multilingual site
Steps1. choose your solution2. install and configure3. insert language
switcher4. translate your content5. keep updated
Different possibilities● Multiple WP installs● WordPress MultiSite● Plugins
○ qTranslate○ WPML○ Multilingual Press ○ Stella○ xili-language
Making your WP site a multilingual site
Steps1. choose your solution2. install and configure3. insert language
switcher4. translate your content5. keep updated
What to handle● select site languages● select language URL
format
Making your WP site a multilingual site
Steps1. choose your solution2. install and configure3. insert language
switcher4. translate your content5. keep updated
Tips and hints● cross-link all pages● custom lang switcher -
check ahead what your plugin allows for
Making your WP site a multilingual site
Steps1. choose your solution2. install and configure3. insert language
switcher4. translate your content5. keep updated
What to translate● site title● pages and posts● categories, tags● images, menus● widgets● custom post types● custom fields● theme localization● theme options● ...
Making your WP site a multilingual site
Steps1. choose your solution2. install and configure3. insert language
switcher4. translate your content5. keep updated
Making your WP site a multilingual site
Steps1. choose your solution2. install and configure3. insert language
switcher4. translate your content5. keep updated
When you are done, your site will start living its own life● let your site be easy to
maintain by different users
● be predictable, think ahead about future enhancements
Different user roles, different needs
Site visitors● comfortable, please● I’d like to understand
everything
Content editors● quick and easy, please● don’t make me think
WP developers● how quickly?● which elements to
handle?
Google bots● will I recognize the
language?● translated by human?
Make it comfortable for non-technicals● can you copy from
original?● can you change your
admin language? ● can you translate
images?● how about the menu
synchronization?
Keep your site up to date for all languages● turn ordinary WP users
into translators● let your translators be
notified quickly● while translating let
them see both language versions
● be professional, if you need help ask a qualified translator
Time is money. Be predictable● Check ahead if your
theme is compatible with your multilingual plugin
● When you get stuck, ask for support
● Your site will grow. Think ahead, think about the future
Don’t let eCommerce surprise you● the number of WP
eCommerce shops is rapidly growing
● check ahead if your multilingual plugin supports eCommerce
Summing up● No SEO, no customers.
Don’t ignore Google directives.
● Identify all elements to be translated. Make sure your plugin can handle them all
● Remember there are different user needs. Simplify non-techies lives.
● Think ahead about the future enhancements
handle all the requirements with WPML
Paid doesn't mean more expensive● How much is your time
worth? Don’t reinvent the wheel. Save your time with permanent access to support.
● How many sites per year do you build? Buy one license for all your sites.
● Don’t disappoint your customer. Be up to date with WP releases.
● Limit the work you need to do. Think ahead about themes and plugin compatibility.
Quiz and prizes for winners!
● one WPML license
● one Toolset license Toolset Plugins Let You
Develop WordPress Sites Without PHP
more at wp-types.com
