What is the most convenient way to build an English website and a Chinese website?

In the previous article „Scientific Methods for Building a Multilingual WordPress Website_Plugins Are Not the Best Choice", Naiba explained why it is more reasonable to create separate sites for multiple languages. As a foreign trade enterprise, if you want to build an English website and a Chinese website yourself, what is the most convenient way to do it? This article will outline the approach for you.

Question:

Our business is mainly foreign trade, but we also hope that the domestic website access speed is not too slow. The English website is mainly targeting markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Should I just buy a server in China? Or should I buy a domestic server from Tencent and then buy a foreign server from SiteGround?

Answer:In this situation, the most reasonable approach is to purchase two servers: one domestic server and one foreign server. Because domestic users accessing a foreign server are usually slow, placing the Chinese website on a foreign server would be quite unfriendly to domestic users. Similarly, if you place the English website on a domestic server, foreign users' access speed will also be very slow, rendering the website ineffective.

Specific Steps:

Since the focus is on foreign trade, the English website is relatively more important, so we can start by creating the English website.

1. Purchase a Server

Choose a server based on your customer regions. Ideally, select a server in a country close to your customers.

Recommended servers include:

• Shared Hosting：
• Hostinger
• SiteGround
• GreenGeeks
• InMotion Hosting

• VPS / Cloud Server：
• Vultr
• DigitalOcean
• ION
• Cloudways
• Alibaba Cloud
• Tencent Cloud
• VirMach
• Raksmart
• Racknerd

Regarding the choice between Shared Hosting and VPS, beginners are advised to start directly with Shared Hosting. However, considering that a domestic server will definitely be a VPS purchase, the foreign server can also start directly with a VPS.

For VPS, it is recommended to chooseVultrorDigitalOcean, as they offer more data center options.

For VPS configuration, choose at least 1 CPU core and 1GB RAM; preferably a configuration with 1 CPU core and 2GB RAM or more. (Foreign VPS prices are relatively high. You can also consider using Shared Hosting directly, such as SiteGround and Hostinger. In that case, skip step 2 below and proceed directly to step 3. Tutorials for both of these Shared Hosting providers can be found on the Naibabiji website.)

2. Install Website Environment and Build WordPress

After purchasing a VPS, it does not come with a website environment by default. It's like buying a new computer: initially, the seller installs an operating system based on your requirements, but after delivery, they do not provide after-sales service beyond the hardware itself. Therefore, we need to install software like the website environment ourselves.

Here, it is recommended to install Baota Panel. For details, you can refer to the tutorial previously shared by Naiba:

①Baota Panel Installation Tutorial

②Installing a WordPress Website with Baota Panel

If you don't understand the text tutorial, there is also a video tutorial below (though not the latest interface) for your reference. If you still can't manage, Naiba can help you with everything for a fee. If needed, you canContact。

Video Tutorial on Installing a Website Yourself Using Baota Panel – Naibabiji

3. Design the Website

This step involves selecting a suitable Theme and then modifying the website to your desired appearance. Themes can be found in thenavigation menuThere is some introduction inside. It is recommended to prioritize plugins that support the Elementor builder, as they are easier for beginners to get started with.

4. Copy the English website and convert it to a Chinese website

After your English website is completed, you can make a copy of the site to a domestic server, then change the English content to Chinese content. After appropriately adjusting the web design and some features to suit domestic use, the construction of the Chinese website is complete.

For a Chinese website, choosing a domestic server requires ICP filing. Prioritize servers from Alibaba Cloud and Tencent Cloud. If you don't want to file for ICP, you can purchase a server in Hong Kong.

How to copy content from the English version to the Chinese website?

① Follow the normal process: purchase a domestic server, complete ICP filing, install Baota Panel, and install WordPress.

② Install a backup plugin, All-in-One WP Migration, in the website's Admin Dashboard.

③ Install the backup plugin All-in-One WP Migration in the English website's Admin Dashboard and export the backup file.

④ Import the backup file from the English website into the Chinese website using All-in-One WP Migration (for a detailed tutorial, see:WordPress Backup and Restore Plugin All-in-One WP Migration Usage Tutorial – Naibabiji）

⑤ Modify the imported content to Chinese.

Alright, after completing these steps, you will have an English foreign trade website and a Chinese corporate website.