change language in wordpress

Expanding Your WordPress Site’s Reach with Multilingual Support

My favorite part of working with WordPress is the flexibility it offers to create a truly global website. But those multilingual capabilities are best utilized when your site’s language settings are properly configured—which is why we’re bringing you this guide on how to change language in WordPress! Whether you're catering to an international audience or simply want to offer content in multiple languages, adjusting your site’s language settings is a crucial step.

Why Changing Your WordPress Language Matters

WordPress powers over 40% of the web, and its multilingual features make it a favorite among businesses, bloggers, and developers worldwide. Changing the language in WordPress isn’t just about translating your content—it also ensures that your admin dashboard, themes, and plugins display in the preferred language of your team or audience. This can improve usability, streamline workflows, and even help avoid issues like WordPress mixed content errors that arise from improperly localized scripts.

How to Change Language in WordPress

Changing your site’s language is a straightforward process, but it requires attention to detail. Here’s how to do it:

Access Your WordPress Dashboard: Navigate to Settings > General and locate the "Site Language" dropdown.
Select Your Preferred Language: WordPress supports over 100 languages. Choose the one that fits your needs.
Install Language Files (If Needed): Some languages may require additional files. WordPress will prompt you if this is necessary.
Update Plugins & Themes: Ensure your plugins and themes are compatible with the new language to prevent functionality issues.

If you're migrating from another platform, such as a blog for Joomla, WordPress makes it easy to retain your multilingual setup without losing SEO value.

Common Challenges When Changing WordPress Language

While the process is simple, a few pitfalls can arise:

Incomplete Translations: Some plugins or themes may not fully support your chosen language, leading to partial translations.
Mixed Content Issues: Switching languages can sometimes trigger WordPress mixed content warnings if external resources aren’t properly localized.
Plugin Conflicts: Certain plugins, especially those handling statistics for WordPress, may not adjust seamlessly to language changes.

To avoid these issues, always test your site thoroughly after making language adjustments.

Need Help Managing Your WordPress Site?

If changing your site’s language feels overwhelming—or if you’d rather focus on creating content while leaving the technical details to experts—our team at WPutopia is here to help. We offer comprehensive WordPress services, including: