The multilingual WordPress plugin WPML has introduced a significant update to enhance compatibility with Elementor version 3.26. If you're utilizing WPML, it's crucial to update both WPML and Elementor in the correct sequence to avoid major site errors.
Crucial WPML Update for Elementor Sites
WPML is a WordPress plugin designed to transform your site into a multilingual platform, supporting languages such as English, Chinese, and Japanese.
Recently, WPML released a critical update addressing compatibility issues with Elementor version 3.26.
If the updates are not conducted in the correct order when upgrading to Elementor 3.26, serious problems might arise.
- Elementor builder editor could stop functioning
- Critical errors may occur on pages with a language switcher
To ensure the stability of your site, please follow these update steps carefully.
- First, update WPML to version 4.6.15 or higher, and then,
- Proceed to update the Elementor plugin to version 3.26.
WPML recommends creating a backup before the update. If any issues arise during the process, you can reach out to WPML's customer support for assistance.
Creating a Multilingual Site with ChatGPT and WPML
You can set up a multilingual site using WPML and automate translations (paid feature) easily. Alternatively, you can utilize ChatGPT to manually translate text into various languages and then paste it into your site.
Release of WPForms Multilingual 0.4.1 Update
Just ten days ago, the latest version 0.4.1 of WPForms Multilingual was released. This update includes essential fixes for seamless compatibility with WPML.
The update addresses several issues experienced during the WPForms form-saving process, which WPML indicates could affect specific form settings.
- Attachment fields used in notifications
- Calculations settings in the WPForms Calculations add-on
This update enhances the stability and reliability of multilingual contact forms in WordPress, so it’s advisable to upgrade to the latest version of the WPForms Multilingual plugin.
Even if you are using WPForms, consider creating forms separately for each language instead of installing the WPForms Multilingual plugin. It may be challenging to manage forms when dealing with many languages, but you can still operate multilingual contact forms without additional plugins.
WPML AI
Since the emergence of ChatGPT, AI functionalities have been incorporated into WordPress themes and plugins. In August, WPML introduced an innovative translation engine called WPML AI. Recently, updates have improved translation accuracy and expanded the range of supported language pairs based on user feedback.
New language pairs now include the ability to translate into English.
- Supported languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese.
Additionally, the following languages are expected to be supported soon:
- Dutch
- Arabic
- Hebrew
- Japanese
- Russian
- Greek
- Simplified Chinese
- Turkish
Both the Elementor plugin and Divi themes have also integrated AI functionalities to facilitate design and coding tasks. Divi has recorded sales figures comparable to the best-selling theme, Avada.
| Features | Divi Theme | Avada Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Elegant Themes | ThemeFusion |
| Sales Volume* | 974,872 | 999,566 |
| Builder | Divi Builder - Visual Builder - Comprehensive Frontend Editing | Avada Builder - Backend Builder - Live Builder |
| Theme Building Features | Supports Custom Fields and Dynamic Content | Layout builder available, lacks some custom field features |
| Pre-made Layouts* | - Over 2500 page layouts (343 layout packs) - 24+ starter site templates | - 108+ pre-built websites (demos) |
| Full Page Editing | Supported by Theme Builder | Supported by Layouts |
| Speed and Performance | Performance improved since 2021 update, but further optimization may be needed | Somewhat heavy theme, may require additional optimization steps |
| Performance Optimization Tools | Optimizations for CSS, JS, Google Fonts, etc. | Step-by-step optimizations via Performance Wizard |
| Price | - $89/year - $279/lifetime license - Installable on unlimited sites - Annual/lifetime support included | - $69 - Installable on one site - 6 months of support included - Expensive extension costs ($49.88) for support after expiry |
| Support and Community | Live chat support, large community dedicated to Divi theme with various third-party extensions | Ticket-based support, extensive documentation and community (support requests only with valid support license) |
| WooCommerce Compatibility | Fully compatible | Fully compatible |
| Overall Flexibility | Inclusive of code customization, comprehensive design adjustments possible | Offers detailed options, powerful customization (may require time to familiarize with numerous options) |
| Highlights | - A simple yet powerful multipurpose theme - Provides a vast array of page layouts (over 2500) - No restrictions on the number of installable sites, making it ideal for web agencies or designers managing multiple sites or client websites - Offers Divi AI as a separate product | - A feature-rich multipurpose theme - Pioneer of multipurpose themes - #1 in sales on ThemeForest for over 10 years - Easy for beginners due to abundant theme options - Lots of features, but can slow down if not optimized |
* As of December 25th, 2024.