How it is usually done.
THE OPTIONS
A multilingual plugin managing translations within one site A multisite installation with a site per language Separate WordPress installations
WHAT MOST SITES USE
A multilingual plugin.
One site, one admin, translations linked to each other.
WHAT A PLUGIN HANDLES
Translated pages and posts Translated menus Translated interface strings Language switching The technical signals telling search engines about versions
WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE CHOOSING ONE
Whether it works with your theme Whether it works with your shop platform What happens to your content if you remove it What it costs
THAT THIRD POINT
Removing a multilingual plugin can leave content inaccessible.
Ask before committing.
THE PERFORMANCE COST
Multilingual plugins are heavy. They add queries to every request.
Budget for that in your performance planning.
WHAT TO TEST
Every page type, in every language, including forms and checkout.
