The client is developing a multi-language website and is unsure how to effectively manage the homepage URL structure for SEO and usability.
Solution:
We recommend maintaining the default language (e.g., English) at the root URL (/) for optimal SEO and usability. The translated homepage (e.g., German) should use a language-specific path like
/de/
. This approach is beneficial for both search engines and user navigation.
We advise using WPML’s built-in language switcher, prominently displayed in the header or menu, facilitating easy language switching without disrupting the user experience. We generally do not recommend a full-screen language selector on the homepage as it can negatively affect SEO and usability. For those using SEO plugins like Yoast, it's beneficial to integrate the WPML SEO plugin. For further guidance, please refer to the following documentation:
If this solution does not apply to your case, or if it seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. Should you need further assistance, please open a new support ticket.
