How to Create a Multilingual Website with Astra + WPML
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.
If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
— Nelson Mandela
🗣️ Introduction: Say Bonjour to Global Reach!
Imagine this: You built a stunning WordPress website using the Astra theme. It’s sleek, fast, and oh-so-professional. But then your French cousin visits your site and says, “Mais… je ne comprends rien!” (Translation: I have no clue what your site says.)
That’s when it hits you—your website speaks only one language, but your audience doesn’t.
In today’s global village, if your website is monolingual, you’re leaving traffic (and money 💸) on the table. That’s where WPML (WordPress Multilingual Plugin) joins forces with the Astra theme to turn your site into a global polyglot powerhouse.
Let’s dive into how to build a multilingual website the right (and fun) way.
🛠️ Step-by-Step: How to Create a Multilingual Website with Astra + WPML
1. Start with a Solid Foundation: Astra Theme
Astra is like the superhero of WordPress themes.
🦸 Fast? ✅
Flexible? ✅
Compatible with translation plugins? Double ✅
If you haven’t installed Astra yet, go to Appearance → Themes → Add New → Search “Astra” → Install → Activate.
Easy as croissants on Sunday morning.
2. Install the WPML Plugin
This is where the magic begins. WPML helps you translate everything: posts, pages, menus, and even theme strings.
Steps:
- Go to WPML.org and get a license.
- Install the core WPML plugin and the necessary add-ons:
- String Translation
- Translation Management
- Media Translation (for multilingual images too!)
3. Configure WPML Like a Boss
Once installed, WPML will guide you through a setup wizard:
- Choose your site’s default language (probably English)
- Pick additional languages (French, Spanish, Klingon — okay maybe not that one)
- Decide how translations will be handled: manually or using auto-translation
4. Translate Astra Theme Elements
Now, Astra + WPML = 💘 Compatibility Goals.
You can translate:
- Menus
- Widgets
- Theme strings (like “Read More” or “Search” buttons)
Use WPML > String Translation to find and translate Astra theme strings.
5. Translate Pages, Posts & Layouts
If you’re using Astra with a page builder (like Elementor or Gutenberg), WPML supports both!
Just go to:
Posts → Edit → Click the “+” icon next to the language you want to add → Translate.
Bonus tip: WPML also integrates with DeepL and Google Translate for AI-powered translations, which are surprisingly accurate (though you may still want to proofread unless you want to greet Spanish users with “Hola, burrito!” 🤦♂️).
6. Add a Language Switcher
This is the icing on the croissant 🍰
You can add:
- A dropdown menu in the header
- Language links in your footer
- Flags in your sidebar
Go to WPML > Languages → Language Switcher → Customize → Place it where your visitors will find it easily (and not like playing hide-and-seek 🎯)
🤹 A Bit of Fun: The Day I Realized I Needed WPML
I once tried translating my site manually by duplicating every page and using Google Translate.
Let’s just say… my “About Us” page accidentally became “We are beans.”
My bounce rate shot up like a squirrel on espresso.
Never again.
With WPML and Astra, I saved time, looked professional, and my international visitors actually stayed—and converted. Magic. 🧙♂️
📦 Summary: Build Once, Speak to the World
Creating a multilingual website is no longer a luxury—it’s a growth strategy. Astra gives you the performance and design, and WPML gives your site the linguistic superpowers.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Astra is lightweight and WPML-ready
- WPML helps you translate EVERYTHING
- Setup is beginner-friendly and scalable
- No more “lost in translation” moments
- Your site becomes accessible to millions more users
📣 Final Words from the (Almost) Wise
Building a multilingual site used to feel like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions.
But with Astra + WPML, it’s more like clicking “translate” and watching your audience grow globally.
So go ahead—be the website owner who speaks your audience’s language. 🌐
And remember: A multilingual site isn’t just smart… it’s très magnifique! 😉
