Pakistani audiences read in two scripts — and most businesses serve neither properly. Here is the multilingual setup that works.
The language strategy (decide before building) - English primary: business, export, professional services — with Urdu WHERE it converts (testimonials, product descriptions, the emotional pages) - Urdu primary: local retail, home services, community services — English for the trust footer and formal docs - Both full: media and platforms. Doubles content work — commit only with capacity
The technical setup (WordPress) - Polylang or TranslatePress (free tiers cover most needs): language switcher, per-page translation, hreflang tags handled - RTL stylesheet: Urdu renders right-to-left — themes with RTL support (most majors have it) flip automatically; verify the mobile menu and forms flip too - Fonts: Noto Nastaliq Urdu (Google Fonts, free) for headings — Jameel Noori Nastaleeq style readability; keep body Urdu in naskh-style fonts for screen clarity
The content reality (the honest cost) Translation is not word-swapping: Urdu copy should be WRITTEN for Urdu readers (tone, idioms, currency phrasing). Budget: either a real translator for key pages, or the AI assistant drafting Urdu from your English facts with your review (it handles Urdu well — the review pass is where the quality lives).
What to translate first (the 20% that matters) 1. Homepage hero + one CTA line 2. Product/service descriptions (buying decisions happen here) 3. Reviews/testimonials (the trust voice) 4. The order/contact flow instructions Skip initially: blog posts, legal pages, about — English versions serve until Urdu capacity exists.
The SEO bonus Urdu searches face far less competition — ' LoggerFactory'[corrected: 'دہلی گالی سے بچنے کی دوا'] style Urdu queries rank easily for pages that exist. An Urdu product page can own its niche overnight.
A Starter plan hosts both languages; the setup is one plugin evening; the audience served is the whole market instead of half.