Multi Language Website Integration

[gerva]

Hello Webmasters, I want to know some things about multi-language blogs. I currently have an English website, but almost all people worldwide search for the information I provide, So I want to make the website a multi-language website like some sites by adding /pt/ /es/at the end of the URLs. I am using WordPress CMS. So should I do it? As I'm not sure, it'll benefit me or not as I can't confirm the translation is correct or not. Basically, I want a plugin or service (Free preferred) to translate all my contents automatically to some desired languages and ahref lang tag automatically. Can you recommend me something? And guide me on how to implement that properly without hurting the SEO.

[lucy24]

I can't confirm the translation is correct or not

Stop right there. If you don't know what your own site's text says, and cannot vouch for its accuracy, do not put it online.

If users want a translation, they can readily get it on their own. (I see it regularly in logs.)

[not2easy]

WordPress in particular is prone to problems managing duplicate content. Those language category URLs will end up archived along with your non-translated pages/posts. Multi language content without proper management is just more ways to have more duplicate content.

Adding languages as categories (/es/, /pt/ are categories) does not work well unless you can figure a way to alter your navigation and site pages (privacy, contact, etc) in other languages for those categories. Don't forget language specific descriptions and titles and managing custom meta tags.

IF you actually have traffic (not just bots) from around the world then it might possibly be time to pay for native translations and set up subdomains (not categories) for languages - which could mean separate language WP installations for each subdomain in order to have navigation and site pages for each language. Until then you can read up on language meta needs and canonical content/URL management.

Until there is a need for it, lucy24's suggestion is the simplest way to manage visitors who prefer another language. Please do not rely heavily on third party tools/plugins to do things you do not need to do. Plugins are not magic, they are extra work and overhead - and the weakest part of your site's security. Use only as many as you need to have to do what you need to do.

[lammert]

I am operating multiple multi-language sites and I wouldn't do it for several reasons, unless you are really determined to open an extra market. Some reasons to consider:

• Wordpress is a bad platform for multiple languages. The available mutli-language plugins generally cause all your pages a second extra to load. This also affects your English language pages.
  
• Visitors don't like auto-translated pages in general
  
• With auto-translated pages, Google may detect a lower average time-on-site time which may affect rankings
  
• Ads availability is lower for many languages, so if your site is using ads as an income stream, don't expect a large increase in earnings, even if you have a substantial increase in visitors.