Hi, guys! I'm kind of similar with WordPress, but this is the first time I deal with multi-language requirements.
I'm currently working on a company website with WordPress, which is mainly for intruding the company and showcase the products (powered by WooCommerce, will update continued), and it has to be with at least three or more languages (Will not use translation plugins). And here's what I need:
Should I deal different languages with only one site with different url locations, or should I go with different sites with different sub-domains?
If it's the former, will it easy for products updating? (Will not pay for WooCommerce to change the url for product pages)
If it's the latter, should I host different sites with different separated WordPress softwares, or should I only go with the same shared ONE WordPress? Which will be easier for me to handle?
Any advices will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
What I tell people, you should never eve use a multi language plugin for translations because not only is it very bad for SEO, but everything is the same for every language, for example if one of your countries celebrates certain holidays, you will have to include it for all versions of the site. basically the site will never be localized.
What you need to do is to create a sub domain or a sub directory instance, you can either create separate installs or switch your main site over to a WordPress Multisite system ( There are instructions on how to turn a regular site into a Multisite on the internet)
From a Multisite site network you will be able to pick either using a subdomain or a subdirectory and have reach l language different language reside on a subdomain or sub directory.
If you are not comfortable with using a Multi Site network than you can just use separate installs on also a subdomain or subdirectory and clone the site and change it to the language you want.
Then you will need to go to Google and submit that specific language site to the search engine of that country so that in that Country people will be able to find your site.
Your requirements suggest that you need a multilingual plugin.
What is your objection to using a plugin? Are you familiar with the complexities of what’s needed to create a multilingual website? eg href-lang, canonical linking, etc? If not, use a plugin.
A multilingual plugin makes it simple for you to essentially replicate a site, by making a copy of a page with language specific for that country/region eg [example.com/es/](https://example.com/es/), [example.com/en/](https://example.com/en/), etc
Multisite WordPress is not what you want here. It doesn’t do href-lang or canonical linking, so your SEO will not perform well.