Ever wondered why your website only speaks one language? You’re not alone – many site owners face this very challenge.

Imagine reaching a global audience without the headache of endless translation costs or complex setups. It might sound intimidating at first, but transforming your WordPress site into a multilingual hub can be simpler and more affordable than you think. With a powerful tool like Polylang, you can easily add multiple languages, even if you’re not a tech expert.

Why does this matter? Because in today’s digital landscape, offering content in just one language means you could be missing out on a huge chunk of potential visitors. Over half of the internet’s users speak languages other than English, so by going multilingual, you open your site to a world of opportunities.

In this tutorial, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to use Polylang plugin to create a multilingual WordPress site. Ready to break down language barriers and grow your audience? Let’s get started!

What is Polylang?

Polylang is one of the most popular plugins for creating a multilanguage website on WordPress.

Think of it as your go-to translation plugin that makes adding multiple languages to your site simple, even if you’re not a tech wizard.

Here’s why Polylang is a game-changer:

  • It’s free to use for basic features, so you don’t need to break the bank.
  • It supports manual translations, giving you full control over the quality of your content.
  • You can translate just about everything – posts, pages, categories, tags, menus, and even widgets.

Let’s say you’re running a blog in English but want to connect with Spanish-speaking readers. Polylang lets you create Spanish versions of your posts without needing a second website.

And what about your visitors? Polylang adds a language switcher to your site so users can easily pick their preferred language. You can display this as a dropdown menu, flags, or text links – whatever works best for your design.

The best part? You don’t need coding skills to use it. Just install the plugin, set up your languages, and start translating.

If you’ve been searching for an easy way to build a multilingual site, Polylang might just be the perfect solution for you!

How to Create a Multilingual WordPress Site with Polylang

With over 800,000 active installs, Polylang makes it simple to translate your WordPress content into multiple languages. Whether you’re running a restaurant, an e-commerce store, or a business website, this plugin gives you the tools to reach audiences worldwide.

Here’s what makes Polylang stand out:

  • It’s free for most features, including translating posts, pages, categories, tags, and menus.
  • It works seamlessly with SEO plugins like Yoast SEO, helping your site rank better in different countries.
  • You can add as many languages as you want – there’s no limit.

If you need advanced features like WooCommerce compatibility or automated translations, you can upgrade to Polylang Pro for €99/year. There’s also a WooCommerce add-on for multilingual stores.

For this guide, we’ll stick to the free version of Polylang. It’s packed with everything you need to create a professional multilanguage website without any coding skills.

Let’s get started with Polylang and make your content accessible to the world!

Step 1: Install and Activate Polylang

First things first – install the plugin.

  1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New and search for “Polylang.”
  3. Click Install Now and then activate it.
install Polylang plugin

Boom! You’re ready to roll.

After activating Polylang, the configuration wizard should pop up automatically. If it doesn’t, no worries – simply head to your WordPress dashboard. Click on Languages in the sidebar and select Setup Wizard.

This wizard guides you through the setup step by step, making the process smooth and straightforward. It helps you choose your default language, add new ones, and even configure URL settings.

A: Choose Your Default Language

Select your site’s primary language from the list. This language will be the base for all translations.

B: Add Additional Languages

Choose the extra languages you want to support. Pick each language’s name, locale, and flag icon for clear identification.

Polylang setup languages

C: Translate Media

During the Media step, you can set up Polylang to translate media-related strings like titles and alt text.
Simply toggle the feature on to activate translations for your media files, then hit Continue.

Polylang setup media

D: Assign Default Language

During the Content step, you set your site’s default language. Choose your preferred language from the dropdown menu and click Continue.

E: Setup Homepage

For your site to function correctly, every available language must have a translated version of this page. Every language you support needs its own version of the homepage.

Once the pages are created, it’s up to you to fill in the translated content for each language-specific homepage.

Polylang setup homepage

Step 2: Translate Your Content

Now it’s time to bring your multilanguage website to life by translating your content.

Here’s how to do it step by step:

Translating Posts and Pages

Open any post or page in your WordPress dashboard. Look for the “Languages” box on the right-hand side of the editor. Start with your default language – write or edit the content as usual.

Next, click the “+” icon next to the language you want to add (e.g., French ).

Polylang page translation

Here, you can begin translating your content into your chosen language. When you’re finished, save your work and close the post.

Repeat this process for all posts and pages you want to translate.

Theme Strings Translation

Polylang’s Languages > Translations option lets you manage translations for strings that don’t belong to a specific page. In this section, you can easily update elements like button labels, menu items, and other interface text to ensure consistency across your multilingual site. If you’re dealing with a lot of content, the filter function comes in handy to narrow your search and quickly locate the specific strings you need to update.

Translating Categories and Tags

  1. Go to Posts > Categories or Posts > Tags in your dashboard.
  2. Add a category or tag in your default language first.
  3. Click the “+” icon for each additional language and input the translations.

Step 5: Add a Language Switcher

A language switcher is essential for any multilingual site. It allows visitors to easily choose the language they prefer while browsing your website.

Here’s how to add one using Polylang in the site’s menu:

1. Go to Appearance > Menus in your WordPress dashboard.

Look for the “Language Switcher” option in the left side and drag it to your menu. If it’s not there open the Screen Options and check it. See the image below:

Polylang language switcher

2. Customize the switcher:

Choose whether to display it as a dropdown, flags, or text links. Decide if you want to show all languages or hide the current one. Add a title (optional) to make it clear for users.

Once you’ve set it up, click Save Menu to apply the changes.

Now, visitors can toggle between languages with just one click, making their experience seamless and user-friendly.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure that every part of your site is accessible in multiple languages, making it a true multilingual site!

Why You Need a Multilingual WordPress Site

Let’s be real – if your website only speaks one language, you’re missing out. Big time.

Here’s why having a multilingual site is a game-changer:

1. Reach More People

Not everyone browsing the internet speaks English. In fact, over half of internet users speak other languages. By offering content in multiple languages, you can connect with audiences you’d otherwise never reach.

For example, if you’re running an online store in the US, adding Spanish translations could help you tap into a massive Spanish-speaking market.

2. Build Trust with Visitors

People feel more comfortable when they can browse a site in their own language. It shows that you care enough to make their experience better. A multilanguage website builds trust and credibility, which can lead to higher engagement and even more sales.

3. Boost Your SEO

Search engines love localized content. A multilingual site can help you rank higher in different countries and regions. Imagine showing up on Google’s first page for searches in French, German, or Spanish – it’s a huge opportunity to grow your traffic.

A multilanguage website isn’t just about translations – it’s about growing your audience, improving user experience, and taking your site to the next level!

Final Thoughts on How to Make a Multilanguage WordPress site with Polylang

Creating a multilingual WordPress site doesn’t have to be rocket science – or expensive. With Polylang, you can build a professional-looking multilanguage website that connects with audiences worldwide.

Start small, focus on quality translations, and watch how it transforms your traffic and engagement.

So what are you waiting for? Install Polylang today and take your website global!