Expanding the Reach of Your WooCommerce Store: Effective Translation Methods
Why Translating Your WooCommerce Store Is Essential?
There are numerous advantages to translating your online store into multiple languages:
- Attract Local Customers: Research shows that 75% of customers prefer shopping in their native language. By providing product information and content in their local language, you can help customers make faster purchasing decisions.
- Enhance Customer Experience: Translating your store improves the overall customer experience, leading to increased satisfaction and sales.
In this article, we will explore two effective methods to translate your WooCommerce store and reach a broader audience.
Method 1: Translating Your WooCommerce Store Using TranslatePress
TranslatePress is a powerful translation plugin for WordPress that simplifies the process of translating text on your website. Here’s how you can use this plugin to translate your WooCommerce store:
Step 1: Installing and Activating TranslatePress
Begin by installing and activating the TranslatePress plugin on your WordPress website. For detailed instructions, refer to our comprehensive guide on installing WordPress plugins.
Step 2: Activating the Extra Languages Add-on
Once you have activated TranslatePress, download and activate the ‘Extra Languages’ add-on from your TranslatePress account. Follow the provided instructions to complete the installation process.
Step 3: Configuring Plugin Settings
Go to the TranslatePress settings page in your WordPress admin area. Click on the ‘License’ tab and enter your license key, which can be found in your TranslatePress account.
Next, navigate to the ‘General’ tab and ensure that your default language is set correctly. Select the additional language(s) you want to use for your store from the dropdown list under the ‘All Languages’ section. Add each language by clicking the ‘Add’ button next to it.
You can also customize other settings, such as the appearance of the language selector on your website. Once you are done, click the ‘Save Changes’ button.
Step 4: Begin Translating WooCommerce
To start translating your WooCommerce store, click on the ‘Translate Site’ tab in the WordPress admin bar. The translation editor will open, displaying a live preview of your website on the right side.
Simply hover your mouse over any text you want to translate on your site. A blue pencil icon will appear. Click on it to edit the text and enter the translations in the panel on the left side.
After translating each piece of text, remember to click the ‘Save Translation’ button at the top of the screen. Visit your website and use the language switcher to view the translated text.
You can continue translating the remaining WooCommerce product pages and other site content using the translation editor. TranslatePress also allows you to create your own translations for default text if necessary.
For additional guidance on using TranslatePress, refer to our comprehensive article on translating your WordPress site with TranslatePress.
Method 2: Translating Your WooCommerce Store Using WPML
WPML is another popular premium translation plugin for WordPress. It offers a user-friendly interface, integration with third-party translation providers, and even automatic machine translation. Follow these steps to translate your WooCommerce store using WPML:
Step 1: Registering for WPML
Create an account on the WPML website and select the multilingual CMS plan, which supports WooCommerce translation.
Step 2: Installing and Activating WPML
Install and activate the WPML plugin on your WordPress website. If you need assistance with this step, refer to our guide on installing WordPress plugins.
Step 3: Registering WPML
After activating WPML, click on the ‘Register Now’ link on the plugins page. Enter your site key, which is available in your WPML account.
Step 4: Installing Necessary Add-ons
Go to the ‘Commercial’ tab in the ‘Plugins » Add New’ page of your WordPress dashboard. Check the boxes for the following WPML add-ons: ‘WPML String Translation,’ ‘WPML Translation Management,’ ‘WPML Media Translation,’ and ‘WooCommerce Multilingual.’
Scroll down, check the ‘Activate after download’ box, and click the ‘Download’ button. The plugins will be automatically downloaded, installed, and activated.
Step 5: Setting Up Languages
Visit the ‘WPML » Languages’ page in your WordPress admin area. Select the language for your current content and click ‘Next.’ Choose the languages you want to enable for your site and set their order of appearance.
Customize the placement of the language switcher, translation options, and links to different translations based on your preferences. Click ‘Next’ to proceed.
Step 6: WooCommerce Multilingual Setup
You will be directed to the WooCommerce Multilingual setup wizard. Click ‘Let’s continue’ to start configuring translations for your WooCommerce store.
Step 7: Translating Your Products
In the WooCommerce Multilingual tab, you will find a table with your products. Click the ‘+’ icon for the desired language and begin translating a product. You can either copy fields from the original or manually input the translated text.
Once you have completed the translation, check the ‘Translation is complete’ box. Repeat this process for all the products you want to translate.
