Hello friends,

In this post I will show you another great alternative to the popular WPML plugin. By using it you will be able to have different language versions of your website so that you can target different audiences.

This solution is called Polylang and it is another way to create bilingual or multilingual WordPress site.

What does Polylang do exactly?

Polylang makes it extremely easy to create content in any language. For this purpose you only need to download and install the plugin and then activate it. After this is done you can start writing your new post. Let’s assume that your default language (before installing Polylang) for WordPress is English. However you want to create a post in German language so that you can target German visitors. So simply write your new post in German language. Fill in all the needed details (for example alternative texts for images, SEO meta information, excerpts, etc) in this language as well and then save the progress. When you are done with this you can tell Polylang that this post is in German language and it will be shown only for the German version of your website. Simple as that!

And if you intend to translate it later – no problem! Polylang will allow you to do just this if you wish. However bear in mind that this step is considered to be optional. But what is more important is that you will be able to make translations not only from the main language of your WordPress website to another one, but also from any secondary language as well.

If you have ever used WPML for the purpose of creation bilingual or multilingual WordPress site, then you will be happy to notice that the functionality and the way of usage of Polylang is similar. This makes it easy for you if you want to change plugins for some reason.

What other features does Polylang provide?

You will be able to add as many languages as you desire. Polylang also supports RTL language scripts. Another great feature is that for each chosen language, this wonderful plugin will check for language packs and will install them automatically. If an update is available for any of them it will also be processed automatically. This ensures you that you will be always providing the latest versions of any translations.

Speaking of translations – let’s see what exactly can be translated by using Polylang. The options are many. For example you will be able to translate content in your posts and pages. This plugin will make sure that you can have a bilingual or multilingual WordPress media library as well. The translation capabilities of Polylang also apply for your categories, tags, menus and even widget content. This plugin will be able to translate additional content types as well. For example if you want to run it with WooCommerce you can have a bilingual or multilingual WordPress e-commerce website with ease. However a premium addon is required in order to allow these two plugins to work together.

But if you want to translate custom post types, custom taxonomies, sticky posts and post formats, RSS feeds and the default WordPress widgets, then you can relax! Why? Because Polylang will allow you to take care of them without any additional hassles.

When translating you can re-use the same categories and tags as well as some of the other SEO meta elements from the original post. Polylang will make sure that they will be copied over to the translated version.

Polylang sets languages based on the content of the language code in the URL. Alternatively you can use a new subdomain of domain per language. Switching languages can be done by using a customizable switcher which can be placed as a widget or as a part of your main WordPress navigation menu.

What if I want to migrate from WPML to Polylang? Is it possible?

Sure! All you have to do is install and activate the plugin WPML to Polylang and follow its instructions.

This great plugin has a PRO version as well. Make sure that you check it out as well. You can do this from the official website polylang.pro.

That’s all friends! What do you think of this great plugin? Will you use to to make your website bilingual or multilingual? Share any thoughts and questions in the comment section below.

See you soon, friends!

*The images are embedded from the WordPress.org page of Polylang.