Woocommerce How To Edit Language File

WooCommerce How to Edit Language File: Speak Your Customer’s Language!

WooCommerce is a fantastic platform for building your online store, but sometimes the default wording might not quite fit your brand or your target audience. Maybe you want to say “Add to Basket” instead of “Add to Cart,” or perhaps you’re selling exclusively in a language other than English. That’s where editing WooCommerce language files comes in handy!

This guide is for beginners, so we’ll break down how to edit these files in an easy-to-understand way, without getting too technical. We’ll cover everything from finding the right file to applying your changes, and even give you some real-life examples to get you started.

Why Edit WooCommerce Language Files?

Think of it like this: you’re walking into a bakery in France, and all the signs are in English. It’s not *wrong*, but it’s not welcoming. Editing language files allows you to:

• Translate WooCommerce into your local language: Crucial if you’re targeting a specific non-English speaking market. A localized experience can significantly boost conversions.
• Customize existing text: Change phrases to better match your brand’s tone of voice. For instance, instead of the formal “Proceed to Checkout,” you could use a friendlier “Let’s Get You Checked Out!”
• Improve clarity: Sometimes, the default WooCommerce text can be a bit confusing. Customizing it ensures your customers understand exactly what’s going on.
• Personalize user experience: Tailor messages to resonate with your audience on a deeper level.

Finding the Right Language File

WooCommerce language files are `.po` and `.mo` files. The `.po` file is a human-readable text file containing the original text and the translated text. The `.mo` file is a machine-readable version used by WordPress. You generally only edit the `.po` file; the `.mo` file is automatically generated from it.

They are typically located in:

`wp-content/languages/plugins/woocommerce-{language}_{COUNTRY}.po`

• `{language}` is the language code (e.g., `fr` for French, `de` for German).
• `{COUNTRY}` is the country code (e.g., `FR` for France, `DE` for Germany). This part is optional for the default language of a country.

Example: If you’re translating WooCommerce into French for France, you’d look for:

`wp-content/languages/plugins/woocommerce-fr_FR.po`

If you can’t find it there, check:

`wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/i18n/languages/`

Important: It’s best practice to keep your translations in the `wp-content/languages/plugins/` directory. This ensures your changes won’t be overwritten during WooCommerce updates.

Editing the Language File: Tools of the Trade

You’ll need a special program to edit `.po` files. Here are a couple of popular (and often free) options:

• Poedit: A popular and user-friendly option for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It’s designed specifically for working with `.po` files.
• Loco Translate (WordPress Plugin): Allows you to edit language files directly within your WordPress dashboard. This is a convenient option if you prefer to stay within your familiar environment.

For this example, let’s use Poedit.

1. Download and Install Poedit: You can download it from [https://poedit.net/](https://poedit.net/).

2. Open the `.po` file: In Poedit, go to *File* -> *Open* and select the WooCommerce `.po` file you identified earlier.

3. Find the text you want to change: Use the search bar (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) to find the exact text you want to modify. For example, search for “Add to cart”.

4. Enter your translation: In the lower section of Poedit, you’ll see two text boxes: “Source text” (the original text) and “Translation”. Enter your translated text in the “Translation” box. For instance, replace “Add to cart” with “Add to Basket”.

5. Save the file: When you save the `.po` file, Poedit will automatically generate the corresponding `.mo` file in the same directory. Make sure both files have the same name (e.g., `woocommerce-fr_FR.po` and `woocommerce-fr_FR.mo`).

Example: Changing “Add to cart” to “Buy Now!”

Let’s say you want to make your call-to-action more urgent. Instead of “Add to cart,” you want it to say “Buy Now!”.

1. Open your WooCommerce `.po` file in Poedit.

2. Search for “Add to cart”. Poedit will find instances of this phrase within the file.

3. In the “Translation” box, enter “Buy Now!”.

4. Save the file. This will create/update both `.po` and `.mo` files.

Applying Your Changes

After editing and saving the language files, you need to make sure WordPress is actually using them! Here’s how:

1. Upload the `.po` and `.mo` files: Make sure both the `.po` and `.mo` files are uploaded to the `wp-content/languages/plugins/` directory. Use FTP or your hosting file manager to do this.

2. Check your WordPress language settings: Go to *Settings* -> *General* in your WordPress dashboard. Make sure the “Site Language” is set to the language you’re translating into (e.g., “French”).

3. Clear your website cache (if any): If you’re using a caching plugin (like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or similar), clear the cache to ensure the updated language files are loaded.

4. Test your changes: Visit your WooCommerce store and check if the changes have been applied. Look for the text you modified and verify that it displays correctly.

Important Considerations

• Backups are your friend: Before making any changes, back up your language files! This allows you to easily revert to the original if something goes wrong.
• Update carefully: When WooCommerce is updated, your language files might be overwritten. Keep a record of the changes you’ve made so you can re-apply them after an update. Consider using a child theme to store your customized files for better update management.
• Consistency is key: Ensure consistent translations throughout your store. Using a glossary can help with this.
• Testing is crucial: Thoroughly test all aspects of your store after making language changes to ensure everything is working correctly.
• Use a Child Theme: Copy your modified language file into your child theme to prevent updates from overwriting your changes. Create the following directory structure in your child theme: `/languages/plugins/` and put your modified language files there. This is the preferred method.
• Loco Translate plugin (Alternative): If you used Loco Translate, the plugin will usually handle the saving of modified files in a safe location, preventing overwrites.

// Example: Ensuring the correct language file is loaded.
// This code snippet goes in your functions.php of your child theme.

add_filter( ‘locale’, ‘my_custom_locale’ );

function my_custom_locale( $locale ) {

// Change ‘fr_FR’ to your desired locale (language_COUNTRY).

return ‘fr_FR’;

}

This code snippet forces your website to use the French (France) locale. This can be useful for debugging or ensuring the correct language file is being loaded. Replace `fr_FR` with your desired locale.

Common Problems and Solutions

• Changes not appearing: Clear your website cache, double-check that you’ve uploaded both the `.po` and `.mo` files, and verify that the language setting in WordPress is correct.
• Files being overwritten after updates: Use a child theme to store your customized language files.
• Typos: Carefully proofread your translations! Small errors can make a big difference in how your customers perceive your brand.

Editing WooCommerce language files may seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and a little patience, you can create a truly localized and personalized shopping experience for your customers. Good luck!