Is translating your site into multiple languages a good strategy?

[CK]

Its pretty easy really. Install another WP and use the file path that relates to that specific section. So if you were going to do a section for french you would want your WP to point to mypokersite.com/fr/ and you continue this for each language you plan on uploading. Once thats done I also make sure to go in and change the language meta tag for each section so it relates to the one being used.

[pheal]

Its pretty easy really. Install another WP and use the file path that relates to that specific section. So if you were going to do a section for french you would want your WP to point to mypokersite.com/fr/ and you continue this for each language you plan on uploading. Once thats done I also make sure to go in and change the language meta tag for each section so it relates to the one being used.

I see. So I just create a /fr folder, install Wordpress in it and I guess I'm good to go. Thank you very much!

[Unknown Webmaster]

Has anybody ever seen an automatic translation ranking well?

I only remember seeing it 2 times. Once where it was mixed with good translations on local server page with a very good local domain and the other time there were no local competition, and it still got were only 4th being outranked by a forum post and some big english sites.

[superiorword]

Has anybody ever seen an automatic translation ranking well?

It's better not to get your content translated at all than getting it translated through an automated translation service/tool. It's just like killing your own rep and turning your foreign traffic down.


Google translate is better than babelfish, but the translation quality is still gibberish. Whether you try using "simple english"/simple sentences, it won't help in increasing the translation quality upto an acceptable quality level.

[Josh]

There was a good thread on automated translations a while pack on PAP. From what I remember a couple respected affiliates said this was somewhat successful. People in the translation biz will always say not to do it but as you can imagine their opinion is somewhat biased when it comes to this. If I did translations I would be pushing affiliates to do automated translations. Currently very few affiliates even think about translations. Once people see there is a lot of easy regional traffic for the taking they will end up shelling out some cash for professional translations to turn that traffic into conversions.

[superiorword]

People in the translation biz will always say not to do it but as you can imagine their opinion is somewhat biased when it comes to this.

Nothing biased in it. If you are a native speaker of a foreign language, you would understand that the advise of not using the automated translations is absolutely right.


Anyone is free to do anything, if someone wants to go with automated translations inspite of the risks, he/she is more than welcome

[Josh]

Nothing biased in it. If you are a native speaker of a foreign language, you would understand that the advise of not using the automated translations is absolutely right.


Anyone is free to do anything, if someone wants to go with automated translations inspite of the risks, he/she is more than welcome

Yes, but while the translations are of a poor quality they can be very beneficial. I think the translation business would be better off if more people started using these automated programs. If an automated page is bringing in a decent amount of traffic they will end up coming to you and the others for quality translations. Turning affiliates that never seriously considered translations into real potential customers sounds like a win/win to me.

[superiorword]

LOL, if it is so easy to get decent amount of traffic from foreign countries using automated translations, giants like PokerNews would save huge amount of money by using these services.


I mean, who doesn't want to save some extra $$$ if it's really beneficial

[Josh]

LOL, if it is so easy to get decent amount of traffic from foreign countries using automated translations, giants like PokerNews would save huge amount of money by using these services.


I mean, who doesn't want to save some extra $$$ if it's really beneficial

Lets say I do a little KW research and have my article on "Texas Holdem tournament strategy" translated using an automated program plus I have you translate it professionally. Do you really think there will be a big difference in the traffic yours receives right off the bat? These free translations are best used for testing serps and KW analysis IMO. Once that is done you have your list of KW's and you get professional translations.

Everytime "translations" is mentioned in a thread translators always say "Just do one page at a time" or "Don't use automated translation services" despite the fact many people recommend them. All I'm saying to you, and I meant no offense, is people using these free services will only benefit you in the end. I really didn't mean to turn it into a debate and derail a thread so my apologizes.

[Unknown Webmaster]

I agree with Superiorword. There is nothing wrong with automated translations, but you really need to think long and hard about the consequences of having a lot of not very good content on your site. If you want to look at some keywords or something like that it is probably better than nothing, but putting bad translations on your page will change peoples perception of your site.

This is what a German page from Pokerlistings look like after being translated to English.

http://www.pokerlistings.de/bester-bonus

If you didn't know Pokerlistings and only had this site to judge from, what would you think about them?


Now take a look at this German slot machine site:
http://www.fdlfair.org/

Here you'll find a variety of slot machines. You can use the slot machines only pastime for fun or play, or try a bit of money to earn. With under even look jackpots to attract and not a few have been gaming online with a nice Sümmchen won. Have you ever tried an online slot machine to play? The game principle is simple, but captivating. Try your luck and try to play the Slot Machine in us.

People form their opinion about you very fast, and when someone have put a mental sticker saying "not professional" on your site, it is pretty damn hard to change that.