Background of the issue:
I am currently using WPML to manage language mutations on my site using multidomains. The original site is damwebdesign.cz for CZ, with additional domains damwebdesign.at for DE and dam-webdesign.com for EN. I want to switch from using multiple domains to a single domain with language directories. The main domain with the WP installation is damwebdesign.cz, and I want to switch to dam-webdesign.com, using directories for DE and CZ (e.g., dam-webdesign.com/de/...).
Symptoms:
I am not happy with the current domain setting due to issues with SEO authority, functionality, speed, and adjustability.
Questions:
Is it possible to switch from multiple domains to a single domain with language directories on dam-webdesign.com, when my primary site and WP installation are running on damwebdesign.cz?
If not, can I change the multidomains to directories on damwebdesign.cz, replicate the site on dam-webdesign.com & setup language mutations in directories, and then redirect damwebdesign.cz to dam-webdesign.com with language mutations on the directory level?
Yes, this is possible. You just need to first update the setting under WPML → Languages. You can find detailed instructions here: WPML Language URL Options.
Your main WP domain will remain unchanged, while subfolders can be used for specific languages, e.g., .cz/de or .cz/en.
A full domain switch of your main WP installation to .com is not required.
thanks for your response. Is it possible to have the switch in such a fashion, that the primary domain is .com with directories such as .com/de or .com/cz ...?
Yes, but first, you need to update the main domain on WordPress. Once WordPress is configured to use .com, you can change the default language in WPML under WPML → Languages and set Czech (CZ) as a secondary language.
Keep in mind that this change may require additional SEO adjustments, such as setting up redirects, to prevent any negative impact on your current search rankings.
