Testing WPML automatic translation with a custom property synchronization plugin

This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:
The client is using a custom plugin called NAS Property Sync on their staging website to manage Houzez property posts with data from Bitrix. They encountered a WPML notice about a site URL change and need to test WPML's automatic translation safely on staging before deploying on production.
Solution:
1. Log into the staging site's WordPress dashboard and address the WPML notice by selecting the option that confirms the site was copied (e.g., 'Yes, this is a copy of my live site').
2. Modify the

wp-config.php

file by adding:

define('WPML_ENVIRONMENT', 'test');

This configuration sets the staging environment to 'test', preventing interference with the production site's translation services.
3. Refresh the staging dashboard to ensure the migration notice is cleared and WPML settings are accessible.
4. If the issue persists or the solution provided here is outdated or not applicable to your case, we recommend opening a new support ticket. Also, check related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verify the version of the permanent fix, and confirm that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. For further assistance, please visit our support forum at https://wpml.org/forums/forum/english-support/.

This is the technical support forum for WPML - the multilingual WordPress plugin.

Everyone can read, but only WPML clients can post here. WPML team is replying on the forum 6 days per week, 22 hours per day.

Tagged: Not WPML issue

This topic contains 11 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Carlos Rojas 1 month ago.

Assisted by: Carlos Rojas.

Author	Posts
July 14, 2026 at 8:04 am #18156510
nas-luxuryR	Hello WPML Support, We have a WordPress real-estate website using Houzez and WPML. Our live website previously imported property listings from a Bitrix XML feed through WP All Import. Listings were created in English, and WPML automatically translated them into Arabic, Russian and Chinese. We have now developed a custom plugin called NAS Property Sync on our staging website: hidden link plugin creates, updates and deletes Houzez property posts using data received from Bitrix. We would like to test WPML automatic translation safely on staging before using the plugin on production. WPML is currently showing: “WPML detected a change in your site’s URL – Start Migration.” Please help me to test this. Thank you
July 14, 2026 at 10:52 am #18157039
Carlos Rojas WPML Supporter since 03/2017 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)	Hello, Thank you for contacting us The best way to test this plugin is to register the staging site with a new registration key for a development site. You can create this new key in your wpml.org account, specifically in https://wpml.org/account/sites/ -> Click on 'Register a new site' -> After adding the URL of the staging site, select the 'Development site' option. Once you generate the new development key, register the staging site with it. Best regards, Carlos
July 14, 2026 at 11:22 am #18157123
nas-luxuryR	Hi Carlos, Thanks for connecting which option i need to select , i want to check only with 5 properties first. Thanks
July 14, 2026 at 11:27 am #18157141
Carlos Rojas Supporter	Hi, I don't know exactly the number of credits are needed for translating these 5 properties. I'd recommend starting with 2000 to 5000 credits and then adding more if necessary. You can add more credits later from https://wpml.org/account/manage-credits/ if necessary. Best regards, Carlos
July 14, 2026 at 11:34 am #18157193
nas-luxuryR	Hi, Done. generated the key. Please assist for next steps. Thanks
July 14, 2026 at 11:36 am #18157210
Carlos Rojas Supporter	Hi, After creating the new registration key, you now need to go to the staging site -> Plugins -> Add new -> Commercial tab -> Unregister the WPML plugins and register them again with the newly generated development key.
July 14, 2026 at 11:45 am #18157233
nas-luxuryR	Hi, Registered with new key
July 14, 2026 at 11:46 am #18157234
Carlos Rojas Supporter	Great! Is there anything else I can help you with?
July 14, 2026 at 11:53 am #18157241
nas-luxuryR	Hi, Why its showing like this Please help to test with some properties. Thanks
July 14, 2026 at 11:57 am #18157258
Carlos Rojas Supporter	Hi, That alert appears because the site hasn't been registered yet. Register the site using the development key, and the alert will disappear. Important note: Testing your custom plugin falls outside the scope of our support service.
July 14, 2026 at 12:23 pm #18157301
nas-luxuryR	Hi, Registered and translated 4 properties. Thanks
July 14, 2026 at 12:25 pm #18157303
Carlos Rojas Supporter	Excellent! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need our assistance in the future with WPML. We are here to help 🙂 Have an excellent day!