Creating Multilingual Websites with WordPress Multisite

WordPress Multisiteallows users to create a network of connected WordPress sites and manage all of them from a single control panel. They share many resources such asPlugins and Themes, thus simplifying the construction and maintenance of all websites. We will introduce WordPress Multisitefeatures and describe its advantages and disadvantages for multilingual content. Then, together, we will go through the process of using it to create a multilingual variant of the site.

Pros and Cons of Using Multisite to Build Multilingual Websites

Before we get into how to set up a multisite, let's take a quick review of what it really is and look at some of the ways this method of creating a multilingual sitevantagerespond in singingdrawbacksThe

WordPress Multisiteis an WordPress InstallationThe newest addition to WordPress is a new feature that allows users to create and maintain multiple WordPress sites from a single dashboard. Integration of settings and shared resources such as plugins and themes makes it easier to manage an entire network.

An important point to keep in mind when building a multilingual website is that a multisite is more than just different versions of the same website. It is actually a collection of different languageA network of independent websitesthat are managed from a central location. This setup has a number of obvious advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Multisite for Multilingual Content

1. Completely independent content: The biggest advantage of using WordPress Multisite to create a multilingual web is that because the sites are independent, it is possible to have completely different content on each site, rather than simply translating the same pages into different languages. This allows you to make truly localized websites that cater to different cultural preferences around the world.
2. Flexible structure: OptionalHow to build sites. Subdomains, subdirectories, and even completely different top-level domains can be used(e.g. www.361sale.com, dh.361sale.com, etc.). This is possible thanks to the domain mapping feature, which can be found in theAutomatically redirect users to a different address when they visit certain parts of the site. Each site has a different URL that allows visitors to navigate to the correct page faster.
3. No plug-ins required: When using multisite, there is no need for a plugin to set up a multilingual site. This reduces dependence on third-party tools.

Disadvantages of multisite for multilingual content

1. Increased complexity: While multisite is simpler than managing multiple separate WordPress sites, it's also more complex than managing a single site. Plugins and themes need to be activated and configured separately for each site.
2. Content synchronization issues: Every content change on the main site needs to be manually copied to all other sites. While some plugins can automate some of this, it always requires at least some manual intervention. This is especially true if the site is expected to have unique content.
3. Difficulties in translation management: Translating sites in a multisite network can be a headache. There are many ways to simplify this task, but none is the ideal solution.

Due to these drawbacks, in many cases multisite is not the best solution for building multilingual websites. In this case, weSuggest researching translation plug-insThis may be a simpler solution if there is no need to create separate websites for each language, e.g. GTranslate.

How to Setup WordPress Multisite for Multilingual Websites

If creating a multilingual network using WordPress multisite is considered the best solution, then let's look at the following five steps together.

Step 1: Create a Multisite Network

First, the multisite network used to house the sites needs to be created. Depending on your situation, there are two options: converting an existing site to a multisite or creating a new installation from scratch.

Convert existing sites to multi-site

If you already have WordPress websiteInstead, it can be converted to a multisite network fairly easily. The process involves using some code and accessing the WordPress file system, but is not too advanced.

1.Backup Sites: First, make sure you have a recent backup on hand just in case. You should also disable all plugins until the process is complete.

2.Edit wp-config.php: Connect to your server using a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client or the host's file manager. If you need to FTP client, we recommend FileZilla. after accessing the file, open the wp-config.php file and add the following code at the bottom of the file:

/* Multisite */
define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true);

3.Enabling Multi-Site: After saving the file, you should now see a new "Network Settings"Options.Click it to open the network configuration screen(math.) genuswrite data in a box (on a questionnaire or web form)maybeChange the required fieldsand then click on "mounting".

4.Updating the configuration: Follow the on-screen instructions to update your wp-config.php respond in singing .htaccess Documentation.post-completion, logging back into the dashboard should result in thea side-bar (in software)respond in singing WordPress ToolbarSee a new "My Website"Item.

Creating a New WordPress Multisite Installation

If you want to create a new WordPress installation, the process is much simpler. To install WordPress using the Softaculous installer in cPanel, simply check the "Enabling Multi-Site" box is sufficient. If you installed WordPress using another method (e.g. manually or through a hosted one-click install), you can still install WordPress by editing the wp-config.php file to enable multisite, as described above.

Step 2: Localize the sub-site

Now that multisite is enabled, it's time to configure each sub-site. First, if you need to create additional sites in your network, hover over the WordPress toolbar in the "My Website"on and navigate to "network administrator" → "website".

1. Create new site: On the Site List page, click "Add new site" button and fill in the necessary details. After creating a new site, click on the "My Website" menu to the site name to go to that site's dashboard.
2. Setting localization options: Navigate to "set up" → "conventional (weapons)", making sure that the language, time and date format, and time zone settings match those of the intended visitor. When finished, click "Save Changes". Repeat this process for each site in the network.

Step 3: Import or Create Content

After adding the new site and localizing it, it's time to set up the theme. Look for themes that offer multi-language support.The WordPress Theme Directory has many free, translatable options to choose from.

1. Importing existing content: If there is already content, please fill in the main sites in the network first. Then, go toDashboard for the primary siteand navigate toTools → ExportDownload the content of the .xml fileThe
2. Import to other sites: Switch to one of the other sites and navigate toTools → Import → WordPressThe upper conductivity of the .xml fileand follow the prompts to complete theimport (data)Repeat this process for each site. Repeat this process for each site.

Step 4: Translation of content

Once all websites are populated with content, the next step is to translate each one. There are a few options here: translate manually, use software to automatically translate, or outsource to a third party.

1. manual translation: If you are proficient in the target language, you can manually translate the content yourself.
2. Use of translation software: Automatic translation software can be used, but the quality of the translation needs to be carefully checked.
3. Outsourced translation: Professional translation services or freelancers can be hired, etc.

Don't forget to translate details like menus, footer text, widgets, etc. to ensure a consistent user experience.

Step 5: Geo-targeting for major search engines

Once the translations are complete, the final step is to tell the search engines which country/region each site is geared towards. Search engines prioritize content that is highly relevant to the user, so it is important to specify geo-targeting.

Setting geographic targets: If each site uses a country-specific domain name, the system already handles this. If generic top-level domains (e.g. .com or .org) are used, geo-targeting needs to be specified in the search engine's Webmaster Tools. For Google, the settings can be found in the Webmaster Tools.

reach a verdict

Making a website available in a user's native language can significantly improve their experience, leading to increased engagement and conversions. Multisite can provide a localized version of a website to users from all over the world.

Setting up a multi-language multi-site network takes a lot of work, but it's a little easier if you follow these steps:

1. Create a multi-site network.
2. Each sub-site in the localized network.
3. Import or create content.
4. Translate the content
5. Geo-targeting for major search engines