The Advantages of Multilingual Search for Your WordPress Website

Running a WordPress site with various languages? Improving the search experience for your users can greatly enhance their browsing experience. A multilingual search feature allows users to easily find information in their preferred language, leading to increased engagement and conversions. In this article, we will guide you through the process of adding a multilingual search feature to your WordPress site, without the need for any coding.

The Importance of Multilingual Search

When it comes to multilingual websites, users often encounter difficulties finding the content they need. This may be due to the lack of a search feature or inaccurate search results displayed in the wrong language. However, by incorporating a multilingual search feature, you can address these issues and create a seamless browsing experience for your users. Research has indicated that 76% of shoppers are more likely to make a purchase from a website in their native language, making multilingual search a vital component for global online stores.

Adding Multilingual Search with TranslatePress

If you haven’t set up your multilingual website yet or are already using TranslatePress, you’re in luck. TranslatePress, a highly-rated WordPress translation plugin, makes it easy to create a multilingual website with its live editor.

To enable multilingual search using TranslatePress, follow these simple steps:

1. Install and activate the TranslatePress plugin on your WordPress site.
2. Translate your website content into the desired languages.
3. Add a search block to your website using the built-in WordPress search block or as a widget.
4. Customize the appearance of the search block and position it on your web page.
5. Save your changes and see the multilingual search in action on your website.

Take note that the free version of TranslatePress supports translation into only one additional language. If you require multilingual search for more than two languages, consider upgrading to the premium version.

Enhancing Multilingual Search with the SearchWP Plugin

While TranslatePress offers a basic search feature, it may not always deliver the most accurate results. For an improved search experience on your multilingual website, you can utilize the SearchWP plugin. Known as the best WordPress search plugin in the market, SearchWP takes your search functionality to the next level.

Follow these steps to set up SearchWP for multilingual search:

1. Install and activate the SearchWP plugin on your WordPress site.
2. Enter your license key on the SearchWP Settings page.
3. Configure the search settings by assigning weights to different attributes, such as content, titles, categories, tags, and more.
4. Enhance the search functionality further by adding custom fields and taxonomies.
5. Save your settings, and SearchWP will begin building your search index in the background.

Once you’ve set up SearchWP, you don’t need to make any changes to the search form. It will automatically replace the default WordPress search and deliver better search results.

Implementing the Search Block on Your WordPress Site

To make the multilingual search form easily accessible to your users, you need to add the search block to your WordPress site. Here’s how:

1. If you’re using a block-based theme like Ultra, go to the Appearance » Editor page in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click on the “+” button to add a new block and search for the Search block.
3. Customize the appearance of the search block and position it on your web page.
4. Save your changes and preview your website to see the search form in action.

If your theme does not have a full-site editor, you can add the search form as a widget:

1. Go to the Appearance » Widgets page in your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Click on the “+” button to add a new widget block and search for the Search block.
3. Assign the widget to your preferred widget area, such as the sidebar.
4. Save your changes and test the search functionality on your website.

By following these simple steps, you can add a multilingual search feature to your WordPress site and provide a seamless user experience for your visitors.

In Conclusion

Incorporating a multilingual search feature on your WordPress site is an excellent way to improve user experience and help users find the information they need seamlessly. Whether you choose to use the built-in search block with TranslatePress or enhance it with the SearchWP plugin, offering multilingual search is essential for websites with a global audience. Follow the steps outlined in this article to add multilingual search to your WordPress site and enhance your website’s user experience.