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How to Install WPML

Learn how to install, activate, and set up WPML and its add-ons on your WordPress website.

How to Install the WPML Plugin on Your Website

WPML is a premium plugin, so you first need to buy a WPML plan to install the plugin. Once purchased, follow the instructions below to install WPML and additional add-ons on your website. 

1. Download the OTGS Installer

The OTGS Installer is an auxiliary plugin that lets you easily install WPML and any additional add-ons on your website. To download the OTGS Installer:

  1. Log into your WPML account.
  2. On the account sidebar, click on Downloads.
  3. Click the download icon to the right of the OTGS Installer container. This will download a ZIP file onto your computer. 
Downloading the OTGS Installer
Downloading the OTGS Installer
  1. Log into your WordPress website and go to Plugins → Add Plugin.
  2. Click the Upload Plugin button at the top. 
  3. Select the OTGS Installer ZIP file from your computer and click the Install now button.
  4. Click the Activate button. 

A new menu labeled OTGS Installer will now appear in your WordPress admin sidebar.

2. Register WPML on Your Website

Once the OTGS Installer is active on your website, the next step is to register WPML:

  1. Go to Plugins → Add Plugin and click the Commercial tab.
  2. Click the Register WPML link on the top-right corner. 
Clicking the Register WPML link
Clicking the Register WPML link
  1. In the dialog that appears on the left, click the Get a key for this site link. This will redirect you to your WPML account. 
  2. In the pop-up that opened, select the type of site you want to register; Production, or Development. 
  3. Next, choose the amount of automatic translation credits you want to add to your site. 
  4. On the final step, you’ll see a license key. Copy it and return to your WordPress tab. 
  5. Enter the key in the Site Key field and click the Register button. 

WPML and any additional add-ons will now be available for installation.

3. Install WPML and Additional Add-ons

To install WPML and any additional add-ons: 

  1. In the Commercial tab, select WPML Multilingual CMS (the core plugin) and String Translation (required add-on). If other addons are required, WPML will automatically select them. For example, the WPML Multilingual & Multicurrency for WooCommerce addon will automatically be selected if your site uses WooCommerce.
Selecting WPML Multilingual CMS and String Translation components
Selecting WPML Multilingual CMS and String Translation components
  1. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and check the Activate after download box. 
  2. Click the Download button.

A new menu labeled WPML will now appear in the WordPress admin sidebar.

4. Complete the WPML Setup Wizard

The last step before you can start translating your website is completing the WPML setup wizard. To get started, go to WPML → Setup and complete the following steps: 

  1. Choose target languages – click the field under Translation languages and enter the languages you want to translate into. 
  2. Specify URL format – select your preferred URL format:
    • Different languages in directories (recommended)
    • A different domain per language
    • Language name added as a parameter
  1. Register WPML – WPML will automatically enter your site key here.
  2. Provide Context – share information about your website to get better automatic translations:
    • Name of your product / service / website
    • What your website is about
    • Who your target audience is 
  1. Choose how to translate English terms – tell WPML whether to translate or not popular English terms (e.g., Email)
  2. Setup Human Translation – besides AI translation, choose how else you’d like to translate your website:
    • Only by yourself
    • With other users on your site
    • With the help of a translation manager
  1. Indicate Support Preferences – select the YES option to get better support. 
  2. Install Additional Add-ons – you should have all your add-ons by now, so proceed to the next step. 
  3. Finished – WPML and its add-ons will now be ready for use on your website. 

At this point, the next step is to start translating your website. See the Getting Started Guide for more information.