going global - wordpress multilingual

Going global

how to make your WordPress site multilingual

About me & OnTheGoSystemsAmit Kvint - (i18n) - @amitkvint

● Father & (ex)hippie living in South of Spain

● Front-end & WordPress themer

● WPML Support & Theme compatibility

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 of the World

Languages on the Internet

source: wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_used_on_the_Internet

The number of non-English pages is rapidly expanding. The use of English online increased by around 281% from 2001 to 2011, however this is far less than Spanish (743%), Chinese (1,277%), Russia

The benefits of having a multilingual siteFor 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

Multilingual vs. Multirigional

● Offering a website in two or more languages

● Focusing on clients or users from specific regions

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

How to do it right

Making your WordPress site a multilingual siteSteps1. choose your solution2. install and configure3. insert the language

switcher4. translate your content5. keep updated

Making your WordPress 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 WordPress 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● select admin language

Making your WordPress 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 WordPress 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● sticky links ...

Making your WordPress site a multilingual site

Steps1. choose your solution2. install and configure3. insert language

switcher4. translate your content5. keep updated

Making your WordPress 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 needsSite 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● 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 WordPress releases.

● Limit the work you need to do. Think ahead about themes and plugin compatibility.

Questions - or catch me later - @amitkvint- amit.k@icanlocalize.com- wpclases.com

* having a drink upstairs