Overview
Reaching a global audience often requires translating website content into multiple languages. Site Translation is a feature that converts a website's content from one language to another. This allows users of different languages to access and interact with the site in their preferred language.
The site translation feature is not enabled by default. To activate it, you must request it from support through the in-app chat or by emailing support@zoomforth.com.
Site translation guidelines
Managing website translations requires a strategic approach to ensure that content is accurately and consistently represented across different languages. By understanding and implementing the provided guidelines, you can effectively manage your site’s multilingual content and cater to a global audience with greater efficiency and control.
It is crucial to note that content creation and editing are supported only in the main language. When working on added languages, most editing features will be disabled. This limitation is in place to maintain content integrity and ensure that the primary language version remains the master copy.
Build and finalize your site in the main language first. Once the primary content is ready and reviewed, you can utilize the auto-translate feature to apply translations across your additional languages. This process will update all added languages with the new translated content, streamlining the translation process and ensuring uniformity across your site.
Enable site translation
To access the translation feature, click on language on the top left-hand sidebar and select Activate translation.
Site Languages
Site Language refers to the primary language and languages in which the content of a website is written and presented. It determines how the text, navigation, and other elements are displayed to users.
Main language
This is your default language, the one used when the site was first created. This is the language that the site will be translated from.
You can change the main language in the sidebar by clicking “Main Language” and selecting a new one in the dropdown. This DOES NOT automatically translate the site by selecting a new language.
Added languages
These are the extra languages you want to translate the site into. You can add as many languages as required.
Added languages can be translated either through automation tools that we offer, or manually
Added languages can be hidden from the display by clicking the “eye” icon. This allows you to ensure that the language is not an option for visitors until it is ready to be viewed.
Removing added languages does not remove the translation. If you accidentally remove an added language you can add it back and retain the previous translations that were done.
Auto translation
To start the auto translation, tick the box beside the added language and click "Start translation".
Translations typically take less than a minute to complete, though the first-time translation of your site may take a bit longer, usually a few minutes. You will receive a notification in the site editor once the translation starts, and once it is done.
Important Note:
If you made some changes to the site, you will need to start the site translation again to translate the newly added content.
Clicking the "Start translation" button will overwrite your manual translations on the site.
Translations typically take less than a minute to complete, though the first-time translation of your site may take a bit longer, usually a few minutes. You will receive a notification in the site editor once the translation starts, and once it is done. To expedite the process, we use a cache that stores previously translated text, so we don’t need to translate the same content again.
Important Note:
If you made some changes in the site, you will need to start the site translation again to translate the newly added content.
Clicking the "Start translation" button will overwrite your manual translations in the site.
Manual Translation
You do have the option to directly translate the content yourself without using the auto translation feature.
Switching to manual translation interface
There are two ways on how you can switch, or go to the manual translation interface to translate your site.
Edit the added language
Click Translations.
Click Edit beside the added language that you want to manually edit.
Switch the added language from dropdown
Navigate to the top right of the Site Editor.
Select the added language you want to edit from the dropdown manually.
What can you manually edit in the added language?
Editing is limited to text fields such as captions, alt text, titles, and descriptions to maintain consistency with the main language version of the site. Additionally, you can adjust horizontal and vertical alignment and use the font-size slider to modify text if the translated content occupies more space than expected, which may cause tiles to scroll differently compared to the main version of the site.
Switching from editing one language to another
All languages enabled in translation will be shown in the dropdown in the top right of the Site Editor. You can easily switch to editing one language from another just by selecting the language from the dropdown.
Translate individual text fields
You can utilize individual field translation options for each language. This method allows for precise control over what content is translated and provides the ability to adjust translations manually where needed. You can look for the buttons below to edit or correct the text translation.
Translate Text - button found in the text editor toolbar which is used in tiles and sections
Auto-translate - button found in other text areas (e.g. caption, site title, etc.)
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Exiting the translation interface
You can exit the manual translation interface by clicking the Close (X) button from the top of the Site Editor.
