Before building.
WHAT TO DECIDE
Which languages Which content gets translated Who translates it Who maintains it How language is chosen by the visitor What the default is
WHICH CONTENT
Not necessarily everything.
Frequently the main pages in every language, with a blog only in the primary one.
That is a reasonable compromise.
WHO TRANSLATES
A person who speaks the language.
Machine translation as a first draft, corrected by a speaker.
Never machine translation published unchecked.
WHAT THAT PRODUCES
Text that is grammatically plausible and culturally wrong, which damages you more than having no translation.
HOW LANGUAGE IS CHOSEN
A visible switcher.
Automatic detection by browser or location, with an override.
Never automatic with no way to change.
WHAT TO TEST BEFORE COMMITTING
One page, fully translated, including buttons and forms.
That reveals the true scope.
