Top domains vs directories

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.

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
-	12:00 – 16:00	10:00 – 14:00	10:00 – 14:00	9:00 – 13:00	9:00 – 13:00	-
-	17:00 – 21:00	15:00 – 19:00	15:00 – 19:00	14:00 – 18:00	14:00 – 18:00	-

Supporter timezone: Europe/Bucharest (GMT+02:00)

Tagged: Exception

This topic contains 4 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by rasmusN-3 10 hours, 7 minutes ago.

Assisted by: Mihai Apetrei.

Author	Posts
January 5, 2025 at 12:50 pm #16564415
rasmusN-3	Background of the issue: I am currently using directories such as /sv for Swedish and /en for English on my site hidden link. I am considering switching to using top domains like .se for Sweden, .co.uk for the UK, and .com for the US for SEO purposes. Symptoms: I am unsure about the administrative implications of switching to top domains. Questions: If I switch to top domains, will I need to change an image on the start page for each domain separately? When I publish a new product, will it be published the same way as today, or do I need to create unique products for each top domain?
January 6, 2025 at 8:36 am #16565317
Mihai Apetrei Supporter Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Europe/Bucharest (GMT+02:00)	Hi there. Things would work as they work in the current URL structure. You would only need to follow the steps mentioned here (https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/language-url-options/how-to-use-wpml-with-different-domains-per-language/) to "connect" each domain with the language that you want. WPML runs from one WordPress install, and WPML will know how to handle the URL structure after you change the URL format and move away from language directories. I hope that you will find this information helpful. Mihai Apetrei
January 6, 2025 at 11:03 am #16566049
rasmusN-3	Hi, Many thanks for your quick response. So how should I set it up when I will have different domains but same languages? For example, .dk, .com, co.uk and .fr will all be in just English.
January 6, 2025 at 3:55 pm #16566982
rasmusN-3	Hi again, Another question, is it correct that it should say /en/ for the subdomain, even when it is not in English? Please see attached.
January 6, 2025 at 10:09 pm #16567605
Mihai Apetrei Supporter Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Europe/Bucharest (GMT+02:00)	Hi there. The "/en" should not show up for the other domains, my guess is that the main site is installed under a subdirectory (which shouldn't be done this way - the site should be installed in the main folder on the hosting, not under a subfolder). Can you please paste your WPML Debug information in the Debug information field I activated below? - http://wpml.org/faq/provide-debug-information-faster-support/
January 6, 2025 at 10:12 pm #16567606
rasmusN-3	Hi, done.
January 6, 2025 at 10:39 pm #16567636
rasmusN-3	Hi, that is strange. I have made the website myself but the settings are correct in those two fields, just as in the link you sent. Please see attached.
January 8, 2025 at 4:27 pm #16574502
Mihai Apetrei Supporter Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Europe/Bucharest (GMT+02:00)	Hi there. This is strange indeed. Maybe the settings are added inside the wp-config.php file or something similar; otherwise, it probably exists somewhere in the database. Having an extra "/en" part shouldn't be happening. Also, on the server where the site is hosted, are you sure the site is not installed (the site files don't exist) inside a "/en" subdirectory?
January 8, 2025 at 8:57 pm #16575338
rasmusN-3	I have literally no idea, I have had a quick look in the files but I can't find anything at first sight, but this is out of my knowledge area. Are you able to help me out?