Multilingual Website with Botiga and WPML
Want to launch your Botiga site in multiple languages? Both Botiga and Botiga Pro are fully translatable, and the popular WPML plugin makes it straightforward to translate content, menus, media, and theme strings into as many languages as you need.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to build a multilingual website with Botiga and WPML.
Before you get started, make sure you’ve installed and activated the Botiga theme on your WordPress site. If you’re using features from Botiga Pro, ensure that both the Botiga theme and the Botiga Pro plugin are installed and active. You’ll also need a valid WPML subscription.
Installing WPML
First, install the WPML plugins. Log in to your WPML account and visit the Downloads section, then download these three plugins:
- WPML Multilingual CMS (the core plugin)
- String Translation
- Media Translation
With the three zip files on your computer, upload them through Plugins >> Add New >> Upload Plugin, then install and activate each one.
Note: if your browser unzips the files automatically, disable that feature so you can upload them as zip archives.
Running the WPML Setup Wizard
After activating WPML for the first time, you’ll be prompted to run the setup wizard. We recommend stepping through it so you can configure languages, translation mode, license, and other essentials in one go.
- Define your site’s languages. Choose the default language and add as many translation languages as you need by clicking the plus icon. The default language is used for the content you already have.
- Configure URL settings for your different languages.
- On the Register WPML screen, add your site key. If you don’t have one yet, click Get a key for this site, register your site on the WPML dashboard, then paste the key back into WordPress.
- Choose how you want to translate. Translate Everything creates translations for all your content automatically. Translate Some lets you choose what to translate manually, with the help of other users, or through a professional service.
- On the Support screen, choose whether to share information about your theme and plugins with WPML.
- On the Plugins screen, WPML detects popular plugins on your site and recommends compatible components for each.
- You’re done. WPML is configured and you can start translating.
Translating Your Content
If you picked Translate Everything, WPML translates everything automatically.
If you picked Translate Some and want to do the work yourself, translate each post type one at a time. Each language gets its own version of every post or page. The screenshot below shows pages being translated into French, German, and Spanish.
Click the plus icon for the page and language you want to translate. WPML’s Advanced Translation Editor opens, where you can translate each text segment side by side with the original.
Translate the body content along with the post’s title, then click Complete. You’ll need to translate every segment before you can mark a translation complete, though you can save and return to it at any time. Once a language is complete, the plus icon turns into a pencil so you can edit the translation later.
Translating Media
First, make sure the Media Translation addon is active. Then go to WPML >> Media Translation. WPML will prompt you to complete a one-time media setup wizard, which scans your existing images and populates the Media Translation interface.
You can show different images per language and use the Advanced Translation Editor to translate captions, alt text, and image titles. See WPML’s media translation documentation for more detail.
Translating Menus
If you picked Translate Everything, your menus translate automatically. Otherwise, go to Appearance >> Menus, click the plus icon for the language you want, name the menu, and add the relevant menu items. Repeat for each language. WPML’s menu translation guide covers this in more depth.
Translating Strings With String Translation
Make sure the String Translation addon is active. This addon translates strings that aren’t part of your posts or pages, such as your site’s tagline or strings that come from the theme and other plugins.
Go to WPML >> String Translation and start translating. Repeat for each language on your site.
Adding a Language Switcher
Every multilingual site needs a language switcher. Beyond WPML’s default options, Botiga Pro adds a language switcher component to the header and footer builder.
Make sure the Header and Footer Builder module is active under Appearance >> Theme Dashboard, then go to Customize >> Header >> Header Builder and insert the Language Switcher component in any header area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about building a multilingual site with Botiga and WPML.
Do I need Botiga Pro to use WPML?
No. WPML works with the free Botiga theme. You only need Botiga Pro for the header builder language switcher component. WPML’s own language switcher works on the free theme.
Can I use Polylang instead of WPML?
Yes. Botiga Pro’s header builder includes both WPML and Polylang language switcher components. Either plugin will work for translating content; this guide focuses on WPML.
How do I translate theme strings that aren’t appearing in String Translation?
If a Botiga string isn’t showing up, scan the theme for strings using WPML’s Theme and plugins localization options. Once scanned, the strings will appear in String Translation, where you can translate them per language.
That’s it! You’ve successfully set up a multilingual Botiga site with WPML.
Next, would you like to translate Botiga’s interface strings without WPML? Check out our guide on translating text strings in Botiga to learn more.