Custom WordPress plugin using the Google Translate API to generate stored multilingual content with a scalable foundation for full multilingual SEO.
The Google Translate API allows developers to programmatically translate text, documents, and websites between various languages. It’s a powerful tool for building applications and services that require multilingual support. The API uses Neural Machine Translation (NMT) technology for high-quality translations.
Currently running on AffordableHousingAdvocates.org
Overview
For a client needing multilingual content generation inside WordPress, I developed a custom plugin that uses the Google Translate API to translate page and post content into multiple languages.
The tool allows site administrators to generate and store translated versions of their content directly in WordPress — a step beyond browser-based translation, which only provides temporary, user-side rendering.
Key Features
Automated Content Translation
When an admin selects one or more target languages, the plugin sends the post body content to the Google Translate API and creates stored translated versions within WordPress.
Lightweight, Plugin-Based Workflow
Everything runs inside a simple admin interface.
No heavy translation plugins, no complicated configuration, and no duplicated post structures.
Stored, Reusable Translations
Because translations are saved in WordPress, they can be:
- displayed to all users
- reused in templates
- edited manually
- exported or consumed by other parts of the site
This goes far beyond what Chrome/Safari auto-translation can provide.
Language-Controlled Output
Admins choose which languages to maintain, and translations can be regenerated at any time using the built-in interface.
Project Details
Custom Translation Interface
The plugin adds a clean, purpose-built interface for selecting languages and initiating translation runs. All translation happens in the background and updates the corresponding content fields automatically.
Designed as a Maintainable MVP
The client’s needs were focused on translating the main body content only — so the plugin was built as a fast, maintainable MVP.
The architecture intentionally allows future expansion, including the ability to translate:
- titles
- slugs
- meta descriptions
- custom fields
- headings
- alt text
- menus
- category names
- URL structures
- full multilingual sitemaps
- hreflang tags
These additions would transform the plugin into a full multilingual SEO engine if the client ever decides to invest in deeper translation coverage.
This positioning shows you were thinking ahead without implying anything was missing.
Result
A simple, fast, and reliable translation workflow that allows administrators to generate multilingual content on demand — no external plugins, no brittle hacks, and no dependency on browser-based auto-translation.
The plugin provides repeatable, stored translations that can be rendered to any user and used across templates or features in the future.
Tech Stack
- Google Translate API
- WordPress (custom plugin)
- PHP
- jQuery + AJAX (admin UI)
- File- and database-based storage for translated content