WPml multilingual cms 101: wpml multilingual cms plugin?
This video helps get started w/ WPml multilingual cms.
i. WPML, which stands for WordPress Multilingual Plugin, is a powerful tool that allows you to create and manage multilingual websites on WordPress. Here's a breakdown of its features, downsides, and some alternatives:
**Features:**
* **Comprehensive Translation Management:** Translate pages, posts, custom post types, menus, widgets, even theme text – all within the WordPress interface.
* **Multilingual SEO Optimization:** Control URL structures, set SEO meta information for different languages, and ensure search engines understand your site's structure for multilingual SEO.
* **Compatibility:** Works with most popular themes and plugins like Yoast SEO, Elementor, Divi, Gravity Forms, and WooCommerce.
* **Professional Translation Support:** Offers integration with translation services if you need help managing translations.
**Cons:**
* **Premium Plugin:** Requires a paid license, though there's a free version with limited features.
**Known Issues (and Solutions):**
* While uncommon, there might be compatibility conflicts with specific themes or plugins. Check the WPML documentation for known issues and solutions before using it with less popular plugins.
**Pro Tips for Getting Started with WPML:**
* **Plan your languages:** Decide which languages you want to support and how you'll handle content creation and translation for each.
* **Choose translation methods:** Will you translate content yourself, use a translation service, or leverage user contributions?
* **Optimize for SEO:** Set up proper language codes and URLs for each language version of your site.
* **Test thoroughly:** Ensure your translated content displays correctly and functions as intended.
**Alternatives to WPML:**
* **Polylang:** Free and user-friendly plugin with basic multilingual functionality. However, it lacks some of WPML's advanced features.
* **Weglot:** Cloud-based solution with a freemium model. Offers easy translation management but might not be as tightly integrated with WordPress compared to WPML.
* **SitePress Multilingual CMS:** Free plugin similar to WPML but with a different user interface and potentially less extensive features.
Remember, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. WPML is a robust solution for complex multilingual sites, while Polylang offers a simpler option for basic needs. Consider the features, your comfort level, and budget when making your decision.