How does Weglot manage the performances

In this article, you'll learn more about how Weglot affects your website's performance according to your chosen integration.

1. General performances

Weglot acts on your translated versions:

• It scans the original content of your website (HTML file)
• After the scan, Weglot parses (reads and cuts) the elements between HTML tags.
• It automatically translates this original content to its translated equivalent.
• During the translation process, Weglot also stores these contents in your Translation List, which is available in your Weglot Dashboard.

This process allows Weglot to translate and display the translations on your website within seconds.

Note that the more elements there are on your original page, the more time it can take for your page to be loaded and so for Weglot to parse and translate the entire page.

To help it, Weglot uses a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to reduce the load time of your translated pages.

The goal is to display content while capitalizing on the range of several mirror servers worldwide. The content will be displayed on the closest server.

This system guarantees a high availability of servers, reduces loading time, and increases the general website's performance.

As CDN uses mirror servers, your modifications may not be done directly on our original server initially.

To prevent this, Weglot uses "versioning," which changes the version when modifications are made. CDN servers receive the information of a new version and are temporarily deactivated to let you make your modifications.

On the very first call of a new version of your website, the load time can be a little longer, as your browser needs to contact the mirror server and then the original. Afterward, visitors will just contact the closest mirror server as they will all have the new version; your website will be cached.

For non-WordPress projects, Weglot will also implement a JavaScript Library to add and make the language switcher work.

Weglot is constantly monitoring and looking for solutions to deliver the best performance possible.

2. WordPress Integration

WordPress integration is quite different as it capitalizes on WordPress structure with plugins, filters, and hooks to allow high compatibility with other Plugins and WordPress in general.

Its overall performance is consistent with that of our other integrations.

You will have unique URLs for your translated languages. Translations are handled server-side for SEO purposes.

You could use a JavaScript integration on WordPress, but we recommend using the plugin as its compatibility with WordPress in general makes it more interesting than a JavaScript integration.

Also, you may have your own cache plugin installed for performance. As Weglot is located "behind" it, regarding which plugin you are using, sometimes you may need to purge its cache to see your modifications from Weglot.

3. JavaScript integration

The JavaScript integration can be set for every technology you may use.

With it, your original language and translated languages will be displayed on the same URL, but not simultaneously.

When a visitor switches languages with the language switcher, Weglot dynamically replaces the text to translate with its translation.

Weglot will parse your website and translate your content "on the fly". The translations are handled client-side.

You can add some elements to the dynamic section in Weglot. It will allow Weglot to check again the elements selected and translate them, even if they were generated after Weglot's first parse.

However, note that the more dynamic elements you have, the more it can increase the time Weglot needs to display your translations.

This integration is not SEO-friendly; however, you can switch to our subdomain integration for better SEO!

4. Subdomain integration

Subdomain integration is recommended SEO-wise. You will have unique URLs for your translated versions, and translations are handled server-side for SEO purposes.

When switching translations, your visitors will not see the content changes; they will be redirected to the translated page.

This integration reduces the number of dynamic elements you might add as it allows Weglot to access more content on your website, which can result in better performance.