WooCommerce Multilingual is a plugin that enables WooCommerce (the popular WordPress eCommerce plugin) to run multilingual stores. Developed by OnTheGoSystems, the team behind WPML (WordPress Multilingual Plugin), WooCommerce Multilingual allows store owners to create an online store in multiple languages, ensuring that products, categories, and checkout pages are available to a global audience. Here’s a comprehensive overview of WooCommerce Multilingual and its features:

Key Features of WooCommerce Multilingual:

1. Multi-Language Product Management:
   • WooCommerce Multilingual allows you to translate your product information (titles, descriptions, variations, etc.) into multiple languages. You can manage your product catalog in different languages and ensure that your store content is accessible to a diverse customer base.
2. Compatible with WPML:
   • The plugin works seamlessly with WPML, which is a full-featured multilingual plugin for WordPress. WPML helps in translating all site content, including pages, posts, and taxonomies, while WooCommerce Multilingual specifically handles the multilingual aspects of your WooCommerce store.
3. Language Switcher:
   • WooCommerce Multilingual provides an integrated language switcher that you can place on your site’s frontend. This allows users to switch between different languages easily. It can be placed in your store's header, footer, or a widget area.
4. Multi-Currency Support:
   • If you sell internationally, you can display prices in different currencies based on the selected language or region. WooCommerce Multilingual also lets you configure exchange rates, ensuring that your store offers the correct pricing and currency options for international customers.
5. Automated Translation:
   • The plugin integrates with automatic translation services such as Google Translate and DeepL. This allows you to quickly translate product descriptions and other content without manually entering translations for every language.
6. Translating Product Variations:
   • WooCommerce Multilingual lets you translate product variations, such as size, color, and other attributes. This ensures that your customers see the correct translated information and product options, no matter their language preference.
7. Localized Checkout Pages:
   • It ensures that your store's checkout pages (shipping methods, payment gateways, etc.) are also available in the selected language. You can offer a fully localized shopping experience, including translating shipping and payment options.
8. Multilingual Tax Settings:
   • You can configure tax rates for different regions or languages in WooCommerce, so customers from different countries can view accurate pricing based on their location.
9. Translation Management:
   • WooCommerce Multilingual works with WPML’s translation management system, which lets you assign content to specific translators. The plugin’s translation editor makes it easy to manage translations for WooCommerce products, categories, attributes, and more.
10. SEO for Multilingual Stores:
    • WooCommerce Multilingual ensures that your multilingual eCommerce store is SEO-friendly. It helps you manage SEO metadata, including titles and descriptions in different languages. The plugin supports URL translations, meaning your product and category URLs can be translated and adapted for each language.
11. Handling Multiple Shops:
    • If you operate multiple WooCommerce stores in different languages or regions, WooCommerce Multilingual enables you to manage them all from a single WordPress dashboard, making it easier to handle a global store presence.
12. Product Categories and Tags Translation:
    • You can translate product categories, tags, and attributes, allowing you to present a consistent product categorization system in every language. This helps with product organization and ensures that your customers can easily find what they are looking for in their preferred language.
13. WooCommerce Extensions Compatibility:
    • WooCommerce Multilingual is compatible with popular WooCommerce extensions. If you use plugins for payment gateways, shipping options, or product add-ons, the plugin ensures that these elements are also translated appropriately for your multilingual store.
14. Inventory Management in Multiple Languages:
    • You can manage your inventory (stock levels, SKU numbers) in multiple languages. Inventory data is synced across all language versions of a product, making it easier to track stock for global sales.
15. No Need for Duplicate Products:
    • Unlike some other multilingual solutions, WooCommerce Multilingual does not require you to create duplicate products for each language. Instead, it links the translations of each product together, making it easier to manage and maintain your store.

Benefits of Using WooCommerce Multilingual:

1. Global Reach:
   • WooCommerce Multilingual allows you to expand your business globally, reaching customers from various countries who speak different languages. By offering a multilingual experience, you make your store more accessible and increase the chances of attracting international customers.
2. Increased Sales:
   • By offering a localized shopping experience (in terms of language and currency), customers are more likely to trust your store and complete their purchase, leading to higher conversion rates and potentially more sales.
3. Improved User Experience:
   • WooCommerce Multilingual creates a seamless, user-friendly experience for customers by automatically switching content and currency based on their preferred language or location. Customers will appreciate the ability to browse and purchase in their native language and currency.
4. Easy Store Management:
   • With WooCommerce Multilingual, you can manage all your store’s languages from a single WordPress dashboard. It integrates with WPML’s translation management system, making it easy to assign translations to team members or external translators.
5. Faster Setup:
   • The integration with automatic translation services helps you quickly translate your content, speeding up the process of setting up a multilingual store. It’s ideal for store owners who want to offer their content in multiple languages without manually translating everything.
6. Comprehensive Support:
   • WooCommerce Multilingual is supported by OnTheGoSystems, the creators of WPML, who provide extensive documentation, tutorials, and dedicated support. If you run into any issues, you can rely on the support team to help resolve them.
7. SEO Benefits:
   • With SEO optimization for multilingual stores, WooCommerce Multilingual ensures that your store is visible in search engines across different languages. By offering localized metadata and URL translations, you improve your store's chances of ranking well in search results globally.
8. Seamless Updates:
   • WooCommerce Multilingual is continuously updated to be compatible with the latest versions of WooCommerce, WordPress, and WPML, ensuring that your multilingual store remains functional and secure.

How to Set Up WooCommerce Multilingual:

1. Install WPML and WooCommerce:
   • Before using WooCommerce Multilingual, you need to have WPML installed and activated on your WordPress site. You also need the WooCommerce plugin installed, as the plugin specifically works with WooCommerce.
2. Install WooCommerce Multilingual:
   • Download the WooCommerce Multilingual plugin from the WPML site and install it via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin. Once installed, activate the plugin.
3. Configure Languages:
   • After activation, go to the WPML settings and set up the languages you want to use on your store. You can add as many languages as you need for your multilingual store.
4. Translate Products and Categories:
   • You can now translate product titles, descriptions, and product categories. For each product, you can provide translations for different languages, which will be linked to the original product.
5. Set Up Currency and Payment Options:
   • If you're selling internationally, go to the WooCommerce settings and configure multi-currency support. You can set exchange rates and display different currencies depending on the selected language.
6. Configure Language Switcher:
   • Place the language switcher on your website to allow visitors to switch between languages easily. You can position it in various locations, such as the header, footer, or as a floating widget.
7. Translate Checkout Pages:
   • Use WooCommerce Multilingual to ensure that your checkout pages, including shipping and payment methods, are available in all your chosen languages.
8. Review and Test:
   • After setting up, test your store by switching between languages and checking that products, categories, and checkout pages are properly translated. Also, ensure that currency options are displayed correctly for each language.

Conclusion:

WooCommerce Multilingual is an essential plugin for WooCommerce store owners who want to run a multilingual eCommerce site. It allows you to offer a seamless shopping experience for customers in different languages and regions, boosting sales, improving user experience, and increasing your store's global reach. Whether you’re translating product descriptions, managing multi-currency pricing, or ensuring your checkout process is available in various languages, WooCommerce Multilingual makes it easy to manage a multilingual online store.