WordPress websites account for one third of the worldwide web’s content. It’s a user-friendly and effective platform that even has tools to assist when you are interested in translating and localizing your content. This means it’s possible to do much of the website localization yourself – and it also means it’s easy for you to work with a professional translation and localization company accustomed to WordPress localization for many countries. Which is to say, it’s a great choice for a collaborative reworking of your website for foreign markets.
The reasons for localization remain the same whether you have a WordPress website or another type. You will facilitate increased exposure, new customers, the potential for greater profits, and – when the localization is done well – an artful and accurate transmission of your brand into a new culture. Website localization includes adaptation of every element from language, to graphics, to software code. The assistance of localization specialists who understand not only your target languages but also the cultures and technology involved is a wise investment.
The process of WordPress website localization and translation requires the following steps:
1. Acquire TranslatePress, the free WordPress plugin, by going to your WordPress dashboard, then Plugins “Add New” and enter TranslatePress, install, activate, and begin.
2. Share your WPML (WordPress Multilingual) Plugin account with your localization/translation partner, or anyone else who will be working on the process of preparing your materials for your new WordPress website.
3. Use the content extraction function on WordPress to export all or a part of your website content to your localization partner. This content will be saved as an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file that is supported by your translator’s CAT (Computer Assisted Translation) tools. 
4. Your localization/translation partner will upload these files including any related glossary or Translation Memory data.
5. Then they will start translating, editing and adapting all of the materials you have made available.
6. Upload of the translated material and a review of how it fits once its in place is a step that focuses on the final UX of your target audience, including the cultural and language details that have changed. We look for the overall appeal and readability of the website, but also spelling errors, untranslated strings, inappropriate texts, and design weaknesses.
7. The last and most technically demanding step is the final review and testing of all functions: payment, hyperlinks, entry fields, currency and other country-specific figures, page speed, etc.
Skrivanek has a great deal of experience with WordPress website development, localization, design work, and technical testing. While the concepts of localization do not change with website platforms, the process is somewhat different, and a main difference is the potential for greater involvement of the client both during the website localization and later on, with updates and interaction. With its versatility and user-friendly features, WordPress is a great choice that we always enjoy working with.
J. V. McShulskis
