WPML for WordPress is a complete plugin, with different angles and high compatibility, something you’ll discover more about below.
What versions of WPML are there and which should you go with?
As we have already seen in this WPML guide, and although this plug-in is a payment solution, it’s the most complete alternative for translating a WordPress website. It offers a high amount of extensions and tools that will help you to translate and control all content on your website.
With regard to versions, it has three:
1. Multilingual Blog
This version is the cheapest and has the most basic functions for translating your website. It includes the main plug-in, which must be installed, and the WPML Media Translation add-on, which allows you to use the WordPress multimedia files in different languages.
With the Multilingual Blog, you will obtain the WPML Multilingual CMS, the main plug-in that makes WordPress become multilingual, adding basic translation controls and allowing you to translate your content. It also includes the WPML Media Translation add-on, which allows you use the WordPress Gallery in various languages, where you will be able to control which image to display for each language.
You can begin to translate your website with this version, but your page will have to be relatively simple as it lacks some options, such as multi-language support for on-line stores.
2. Multilingual CMS
This is the most used option, the most complete version of WPML.
In addition to the main plug-in mentioned above, the WPML Multilingual CMS, this version includes certain add-ons to combine with this one (also WPML Media Translation). You can install all of them or none at all; this will depend on your needs. Next, we will show you their uses so you can decide which ones interest you and which one don’t:
String Translation de WPML
This plug-in will allow you to translate strings of text (anything that is not pages, categories or posts) without needing to resort to .mo files.
It’s a very useful add-on as, not only can you translate static text, you can also translate text generated by you (or by translators), such as short descriptions of the site or all SEO information.
Translation Management de WPML
This plug-in helps administrators to manage the translation of a page, creating roles and controlling the process. This add-on is ideal for converting normal users into translators, sending them work and controlling their progress. It’s perfect if your website requires external translators or it has a high volume.
Sticky Links de WPML
The Sticky Links plug-in will help you to keep the integrity of all your internal links, preventing breakages. It will automatically track the pages linked to your website and update all associated links, so that when you amend the permalinks, the incoming links will be updated.
CMS Navigation de WPML
Finally, this add-on provides a translation functionality to breadcrumbs addresses, drop-down menus and navigation sidebars.
3. Multilingual CMS Lifetime
The Multilingual CMS Lifetime version includes the same functions as Multilingual CMS, with the only difference being that this version has lifetime support, something that we would recommend you value.
At this point, it is normal for you to ask, “which one should I choose?”
The answer is quite simple. For basic websites, which are mainly WordPress blogs, we recommend the blog version, whereas if your site has a certain complexity, the CMS version is more complete and will allow you to carry out any task required by your website.
The complete version of WPML is normally used, and anyone who has had an advanced version of this plug-in would recommend it. Often, although you could use the most basic version to translate your website perfectly, the advantage of Multilingual CMS is its access to different extensions for this plug-in, which will make your day-to-day life much easier.
If you’re still not sure and suspect that you won’t make the most of the add-ons of the CMS version, don’t worry. In this WPML guide, we recommend you to contract the blog version and, if you think it’s necessary in the future, simply upgrade and pay the difference.
Compatible themes and plug-ins
In this WPML guide, we can assure you that this plug-in is compatible with many themes. However, in order for you to be sure that your chosen theme is prepared to become multilingual with WPML, the best thing to do is check on its website. At this link you will find a complete list with the themes certified by WPML, updating constantly always after directly contacting the authors and carrying out exhaustive compatibility tests.
Also, and following the same verification process, WPML has published a list of plug-ins recently certified by WPML, available on its website. Some examples are the All in One SEO Pack and WordPress SEO.
Keep learning about how to use WPML!
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