WPML (WordPress Multilingual) is the industry-standard plugin for creating fully multilingual websites. Integrating WPML with the Goarch Architecture & Interior WordPress Theme allows you to translate pages, portfolio projects, custom post types, menus, and theme text strings seamlessly into multiple languages.

For overall plugin documentation, visit the official WPML Getting Started Guide.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have downloaded and installed the core WPML components from your WPML Account Downloads:

• WPML Multilingual CMS (Core Plugin)
• WPML String Translation (Required for translating theme & plugin text)
• WPML Translation Management (Required for managing translation workflows)
• WPML Media Translation (Optional: for using different images per language)

Step 1: Complete the WPML Setup Wizard

1. Log into your WordPress Dashboard and go to WPML > Languages.
2. Current Language: Select your site’s default language (e.g., English).
3. Target Languages: Select the additional languages you want to enable on your site.
4. Language Switcher Options: Choose where and how you want the language switcher to appear (e.g., Main Navigation Menu, Footer, or Widget area).
5. Site Key: Enter your WPML key to register the plugin and enable automatic updates.

📖 Official Docs: WPML Language Setup & Configuration Guide

Step 2: Translating Pages and Portfolio Projects

Goarch relies on custom post types like Projects, Services, and Teams, along with Elementor page layouts.

Method 1: Using the WPML Translation Editor (Recommended)

1. Open any page or project (e.g., Projects > All Projects).
2. Look at the language box on the right sidebar. You will see a list of your target languages with a + icon next to each.
3. Click the + icon for the target language you want to create.
4. The WPML Advanced Translation Editor will open side-by-side:
   • Left column: Original content/text from Elementor widgets or post fields.
   • Right column: Input fields for your translation.
5. Enter your translated text, mark each section as complete, and click Finish & Close.

Note: The + icon changes to a pencil icon once a translation file exists. Click the pencil icon anytime to edit existing translations.

📖 Official Docs:

• How to Translate Elementor Websites with WPML
• Using WPML’s Advanced Translation Editor

Step 3: Translating Goarch Theme & Core Plugin Strings

Static buttons, copyright notices, subheadings, and UI labels that aren’t inside standard post content must be translated using WPML String Translation.

1. Go to WPML > String Translation.
2. Filter strings by domain using the In domain dropdown at the top:
   • Select goarch for main theme strings.
   • Select goarch-core for plugin widgets, shortcodes, and post labels.
3. Locate the text string you wish to translate (you can also use the Search for: box).
4. Click the + icon under the flag of the language you want to translate.
5. Enter your translation and press Enter (or click outside the box) to auto-save.

📖 Official Docs: WPML String Translation Documentation

Step 4: Translating Navigation Menus

To display language-specific header navigation:

1. Go to Appearance > Menus.
2. Select your main header menu from the dropdown.
3. In the right-hand box, click the language link (e.g., Translate to Spanish) to create a menu version for that language.
4. Add the corresponding translated pages/custom links to the new menu.
5. Save the menu. WPML will automatically display the correct menu version based on the visitor’s selected site language.

📖 Official Docs: Translating Menus with WPML

Step 5: Translating Redux Theme Options

Custom header text, phone numbers, email addresses, and footer copyright text stored in Theme Options can also be localized:

1. Go to WPML > String Translation.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Translate texts in admin screens ».
3. Expand the section labeled redux_demo or goarch_options.
4. Check the checkboxes next to the options you need to translate (e.g., footer_copyright_text, header_phone).
5. Scroll down and click Apply.
6. Return to WPML > String Translation, search for those newly registered strings, and add your translations.

📖 Official Docs: Translating Theme Options and Admin Texts

WPML & Goarch Compatibility Summary

Feature / Element	Translation Method	WPML Module Required	Documentation Link
Pages & Blog Posts	WPML Translation Editor / Page Screen	WPML Multilingual CMS	Page Translation Guide
Projects & Services	WPML Translation Editor	WPML Multilingual CMS	Custom Post Types Guide
Theme Buttons & Labels	String Translation Screen	WPML String Translation	String Translation Guide
Header Navigation	Appearance > Menus (Language Sync)	WPML Multilingual CMS	Menu Translation Guide
Theme Options & Footer	Admin Text Registration	WPML String Translation	Admin Texts Guide

Pro Tips for Seamless Localization

• Elementor Language Switcher: Learn how to add and customize language switchers inside your header/footer templates with the official Elementor Language Switcher Widget Guide.
• Duplicate Layouts for Speed: When creating a translation for complex Elementor layouts, click Duplicate content in the WPML sidebar box first. This copies over all widget formatting so you only need to swap text.
• Resync Strings After Updates: Whenever you update the Goarch Theme or Goarch Core Plugin, go to WPML > Theme and plugins localization, select the theme/plugin, and click Scan selected theme/plugins for strings.