What does a WPML specialist do?
A WPML specialist configures the WordPress Multilingual Plugin to translate and localize a WordPress site across multiple languages. This role manages the technical setup that connects original content with its translated versions, ensuring every page, post, and interface element displays correctly for international visitors. The specialist handles complex translation workflows for standard content types, custom post types, and taxonomies while resolving display issues that arise from theme or plugin conflicts.
- Configure language settings and translation preferences within the WPML Translation Dashboard to establish the siteโs multilingual structure. This includes defining default languages, setting up language switchers, and mapping URL formats so search engines and users can navigate between language versions without errors.
- Translate hard-coded theme and plugin strings using WPML String Translation and Admin Texts features. The specialist identifies non-database text elements, such as button labels, error messages, and widget titles, then inputs accurate translations to ensure the entire user interface appears localized rather than partially translated.
- Manage custom field translation behavior for advanced content structures, including integrations with tools like Advanced Custom Fields (ACF). The specialist configures specific rules to determine whether custom fields should be translated, copied, or ignored, and creates wpml-config.xml files when manual localization settings are required for unsupported themes or plugins.
How to hire a WPML specialist on Upwork
Step 1: Post a job
Define your multilingual requirements clearly to attract qualified candidates. Use the Job Post Generator powered by Umaโข, Upwork's Mindful AI to draft a precise description. Describe your needs in a few sentences and Uma drafts a job post for the role. You can write a new post, update a saved draft, or reuse an existing post.
- Specify which WordPress content types need translation, such as posts, pages, custom post types, or taxonomies.
- List required WPML components like String Translation, Admin Texts, or Advanced Translation Editor experience.
- Clarify if you need configuration for custom fields from plugins like Advanced Custom Fields (ACF).
Step 2: Evaluate candidates
Review portfolios for live multilingual sites that demonstrate correct language switching and string handling. Uma can run instant video interviews and build shortlists with side-by-side comparisons to speed up this process.
- Check for evidence of translated theme and plugin UI strings appearing correctly on the front end.
- Look for examples where custom field translation preferences were configured to copy or translate specific data.
- Verify experience troubleshooting display issues with specific themes or extensions using language configuration files.
Step 3: Interview your top choices
Discuss technical approaches to translation workflows and editor preferences. Interviews can be scheduled and conducted within Upwork Messages with an immediate transcript and summary after each one.
- Ask how they handle hard-coded texts via String Translation versus dynamic content in the Translation Dashboard.
- Discuss their method for managing translation updates when core site content changes frequently.
- Confirm their familiarity with wpml-config.xml files for manual localization settings in complex themes.
Step 4: Agree on scope and begin work
Set clear milestones for configuration, content translation, and quality assurance checks. Use Upwork Messages and the contract workroom for communication and project management, plus identity verification, payment protection, hourly tracking, and project funds for security.
- Define deliverables such as fully configured language settings and translated custom post types.
- Establish a testing phase to verify that all UI strings and admin texts render in the correct languages.
- Agree on a process for handing over language configuration files and documentation for future updates.
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