Changing the language of your WordPress site is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. After making the change, your website will display in the new language you have selected.
After completing the WordPress language change, all of your site’s content and user interface will be displayed in the new language. This includes all menus, buttons, and messages. If your theme and plugins are translation-ready, their text will also be translated.
Introduction
Ever stumbled upon a website in a language you don’t understand? Frustrating, isn’t it? Now, imagine visitors coming to your WordPress site and feeling the same way because it’s not in their language. That’s a recipe for a high bounce rate, and we certainly don’t want that.
WordPress is used across the globe and thankfully, it comes with the ability to be used in many different languages. This feature is crucial for creating a user-friendly site that caters to a diverse audience, potentially increasing traffic and engagement. Whether you’re a blogger reaching out to a global readership or a business owner targeting customers in various regions, knowing how to change the language of your WordPress site is a handy skill.
Step by Step Tutorial on WordPress Language Change
The following steps will guide you through the process of changing the language settings on your WordPress site.
Step 1: Log in to WordPress Dashboard
Log in to your WordPress admin area to get started.
After logging in, you’ll find yourself on the Dashboard. It’s the control center of your WordPress site where all the magic happens.
Step 2: Go to Settings and Select General
Navigate to the ‘Settings’ menu and click on ‘General’.
In the ‘General Settings’ tab, you’ll find various site settings including the ‘Site Language’ dropdown.
Step 3: Choose the Desired Language
Select the language you want from the ‘Site Language’ dropdown menu.
WordPress offers a wide range of languages to choose from. If your desired language isn’t listed, don’t worry, keep reading for a workaround in the ‘Additional Information’ section.
Step 4: Save Changes
Scroll down and click ‘Save Changes’ to apply the new language settings.
Once you save the changes, your site should immediately start displaying in the selected language. Remember, some themes and plugins may require you to download translations manually.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Enhanced User Experience | Making your site accessible in multiple languages can drastically improve the user experience for non-English speakers. |
| Increased Traffic | By catering to a wider audience, you can attract more visitors from different linguistic backgrounds. |
| Better SEO | Search engines favor sites that cater to the user’s language preference, potentially improving your site’s ranking. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Partial Translations | Not all themes and plugins may be fully translated, leading to an inconsistent user experience. |
| Maintenance | Keeping translations up-to-date can be an additional maintenance task for site owners. |
| Potential Compatibility Issues | Some language packs might not be fully compatible with all themes or plugins, causing display issues. |
Additional Information
What if your preferred language isn’t listed in the dropdown menu? Fear not, as WordPress allows you to install new language packs. Go to the ‘Updates’ section in your Dashboard, and at the bottom, you’ll find an option to install new languages. Once installed, they’ll appear in the ‘Site Language’ dropdown.
Remember, not all themes and plugins support all languages, so you may need to do some research or even some translation work yourself if necessary.
Summary
- Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Navigate to ‘Settings’ and click ‘General’.
- Choose your desired language from the ‘Site Language’ dropdown.
- Click ‘Save Changes’.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my theme isn’t translation-ready?
If your theme isn’t translation-ready, the WordPress core will be in your chosen language, but the theme elements will remain in the original language.
Can I translate my WordPress site into multiple languages?
Yes, but you’ll need a multilingual plugin like WPML or Polylang to do so.
Will changing the language affect my SEO?
Changing the language can affect SEO if done improperly. Use hreflang tags to indicate alternate language versions of a page for better SEO results.
How do I translate my posts and pages?
You’ll need to either use a translation plugin or manually translate your content.
Do I need to back up my site before changing the language?
It’s always a good practice to back up your site regularly, but changing the language in WordPress should not affect your content.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to do a WordPress language change, you can make your website more inclusive and user-friendly for a global audience. Embracing multiple languages not only enhances the user experience but also widens your reach, potentially boosting traffic and engagement on your site. While there may be some challenges, particularly with translations and compatibility, the benefits of a multilingual site often outweigh these concerns. So go ahead, give your WordPress site a little global flair and watch it resonate with a broader audience.
Matt has been working with WordPress and creating content using this powerful content management system for years. While he has written about many other tech topics, WordPress is one of his favorites.
You can read his full bio here.