Gravity Forms Multilingual

Translating Gravity Forms: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to creating multilingual websites, ensuring that your forms are also accessible in multiple languages is crucial. Gravity Forms, a popular form builder for WordPress, can seamlessly integrate with the WPML plugin, enabling you to translate your forms easily. This guide will walk you through the essential steps needed to set up and translate Gravity Forms using WPML.

The Required Tools for Multilingual Forms

To successfully translate Gravity Forms, you will need the following plugins installed and activated on your WordPress site:

• WPML: The WordPress Multilingual Plugin is the cornerstone for creating multilingual content.
• WPML String Translation: This add-on allows you to translate strings that are not part of posts and pages, essential for form labels and messages.
• Gravity Forms: The premier form-building plugin that allows you to create custom forms for your site.
• Gravity Forms Multilingual: This is the specific add-on that integrates Gravity Forms with WPML, enabling translations of form elements.

Having these tools set up will give you a robust platform to begin translating your forms.

How to Translate Gravity Forms with WPML

Step 1: Access WPML Translation Management

To start translating your forms, navigate to the WPML section in your WordPress dashboard and select Translation Management. This section allows you to manage all the translations across your site.

Step 2: Select Your Forms

Within the Translation Management section, you will find a specific area dedicated to Gravity Forms. Here, you can see all the forms you have created. Select the forms you want to translate. This can include all kinds of elements within the forms, such as:

• Form titles
• Field labels
• Sub-labels
• Radio buttons options
• Checkbox choices
• Dropdown menu items
• Messages displayed upon form submission

Step 3: Send Forms for Translation

After selecting the desired forms for translation, send them for translation. WPML allows you to manage this process efficiently, whether you plan to translate them manually or use automated tools.

Step 4: Review Translations

Once the forms have been sent for translation, head over to the Translations section in WPML. Here you can review any automatic translations that were generated and tweak them to your preference. For those translating manually, this is your chance to input the necessary translations for each element.

Viewing Your Translated Forms

Once you have finished the translation process, you can see your newly translated Gravity Forms in action. Simply switch the language on your site, and the forms should display in the selected language. It’s important to remember to also translate the page holding your form for everything to function properly.

Additional Tips for Effective Translation

Translating forms might seem straightforward, but a few key tips can help enhance your workflow and ensure a better user experience:

Utilize Contextual Translation

When translating form elements, consider the context in which they are presented. Sometimes, direct translations may not convey the intended meaning. This is especially true for certain phrases or terms that might have different interpretations in different languages.

Maintain Consistency

When managing translations across multiple forms, keep terminology consistent. For instance, if you use the word “Submit” in one form, avoid using synonyms like “Send” or “Complete” in others unless contextually appropriate. This consistency enhances the user experience and makes your site look more professional.

Regular Reviews and Updates

Languages can evolve, and so can your site’s content. Regularly review your translated forms to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. This is particularly important if you make changes to the forms themselves or add new fields.

Engage Native Speakers

If possible, involve native speakers in your translation process, especially for languages where precision and cultural nuances matter. They can provide insights into colloquialisms or cultural references that might enhance the effectiveness of the form.

Conclusion

Translating Gravity Forms using the WPML plugin allows you to cater to a diverse audience effectively, broadening your reach and improving user engagement. By following the outlined steps and considering the additional tips for best practices in translation, you can ensure that your forms serve your multilingual audience well. This makes not only for a more inclusive website but also opens up new markets for your products or services. With the right setup, translating forms becomes a manageable and rewarding part of managing your multilingual content strategy.