Building a website in a right-to-left (RTL) language like Arabic or Hebrew should feel easy. It should not feel like solving a puzzle backwards. The good news? WordPress makes RTL websites very possible. Even fun. You just need the right tools. In this guide, we will explore three WordPress RTL solutions that offer easy customization and full language support.
TLDR: WordPress fully supports right-to-left languages, but you need the right theme or plugin setup. RTL-ready themes, multilingual plugins, and page builders with RTL support make everything smoother. These tools let you design freely without breaking layouts. With the right combination, your RTL site will look clean, professional, and easy to manage.
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Why RTL Support Matters
Over 400 million people speak Arabic. Millions more speak Hebrew, Persian, and Urdu. That is a massive audience. If your website does not support RTL properly, visitors will notice. Layouts can look broken. Text may align incorrectly. Buttons may feel “off.”
RTL support flips the layout. Menus move to the right. Sidebars switch sides. Text aligns correctly. It feels natural to native readers.
Good RTL support also improves:
- User experience – Visitors feel comfortable.
- Trust – Your site looks professional.
- Accessibility – Navigation becomes intuitive.
- SEO – Search engines understand language context better.
Now let’s explore the top three RTL solutions.
1. RTL-Ready WordPress Themes
The easiest solution is choosing a theme that is already RTL-ready. WordPress itself supports RTL languages. When you switch your site language in settings, it automatically activates RTL style rules. But this only works perfectly if the theme supports RTL.
An RTL-ready theme includes a separate RTL stylesheet. This flips margins, paddings, alignments, and layouts automatically.
In short: minimal work for you.
What to Look For in an RTL Theme
- Built-in RTL stylesheet
- Full translation readiness (PO and MO files)
- Compatibility with popular page builders
- Responsive design
- Regular updates
Always check the theme description. It should clearly say “RTL supported” or “RTL ready.”
Customization Made Easy
Modern WordPress themes use the Customizer. This lets you:
- Change colors
- Edit typography
- Adjust header and footer layouts
- Upload logos
- Modify spacing
All without touching code.
Many themes also include starter templates for Arabic or Hebrew websites. You import one. Replace text and images. Done.
When This Solution Is Best
This is ideal if:
- You are building a new site.
- You want something quick.
- You prefer minimal technical setup.
If you already have a theme that is not RTL-ready, you may need a different solution.
2. Multilingual Plugins With Full RTL Support
If your website needs more than one language, this is your go-to option. Multilingual plugins allow you to create versions of your site in different languages. They also handle RTL formatting when needed.
When properly configured, the plugin detects RTL languages and adjusts layouts automatically.
What These Plugins Do
- Translate posts and pages
- Translate menus
- Translate widgets
- Support RTL layout switching
- Work with SEO plugins
This is powerful. You can have one site in English (left-to-right) and Arabic (right-to-left). Visitors switch languages with a simple button.
Easy Customization Features
Most multilingual plugins include:
- Visual translation editors
- String translation tools
- Automatic language detection
- Language switcher styling options
You can customize how the language switcher looks. Dropdown. Flags. Text-based. Minimal or bold.
And yes, everything stays aligned correctly in RTL mode.
Things to Watch Out For
Make sure:
- Your theme supports RTL.
- Your page builder supports RTL.
- Your fonts include Arabic or Hebrew characters.
If one part does not cooperate, layout glitches may appear.
When This Solution Is Best
This solution works best if:
- You run an international business.
- You want both LTR and RTL languages.
- You care about multilingual SEO.
It takes a little setup. But the results are worth it.
3. Page Builders With Native RTL Compatibility
Page builders give you drag-and-drop control. You design visually. You place elements anywhere. But not all page builders handle RTL well.
The good ones fully support RTL. That means columns reverse automatically. Text aligns properly. Icons shift direction where needed.
Why This Option Is Powerful
Page builders let you:
- Create custom landing pages
- Design sales funnels
- Adjust column direction
- Control spacing visually
- Edit mobile layouts separately
For RTL users, column reversing is important. In RTL mode, the first column should appear on the right side. A good builder handles this instantly.
Customization at Another Level
You can fine-tune:
- Padding and margins per device
- Text alignment per language
- Icon direction
- Button positioning
- Dynamic content blocks
If something looks slightly off, you can adjust it visually. No guessing.
Full Language Support
Top page builders:
- Detect RTL automatically
- Support Unicode fonts
- Integrate with multilingual plugins
- Provide RTL-friendly templates
This combination gives you full control.
When This Solution Is Best
Choose this option if:
- You want total design freedom.
- You build complex layouts.
- You create marketing-heavy pages.
It is slightly more advanced. But still user-friendly.
Bonus Tips for Perfect RTL Websites
No matter which solution you choose, follow these simple best practices.
1. Choose the Right Fonts
Not all fonts support Arabic or Hebrew properly. Pick fonts that are optimized for readability in RTL scripts. Test them on different screen sizes.
2. Check Icon Direction
Arrows need flipping. “Next” buttons should point left in RTL layouts. Small detail. Big impact.
3. Test on Mobile Devices
Most users browse on phones. Make sure spacing and alignment feel natural on smaller screens.
4. Preview Everything
Switch languages often while building. Catch layout issues early. Fixing them later can be annoying.
Which Solution Should You Choose?
Here is a quick breakdown:
- RTL-Ready Theme – Simple. Fast. Beginner-friendly.
- Multilingual Plugin – Great for international sites.
- RTL-Compatible Page Builder – Maximum design freedom.
In many cases, the best answer is a combination. For example:
- An RTL-ready theme
- A multilingual plugin
- A page builder with RTL support
This stack covers everything.
Final Thoughts
Creating an RTL WordPress website is not complicated anymore. WordPress has matured. Themes are smarter. Plugins are more powerful. Page builders are more flexible.
You do not need to fight the layout. You do not need custom hacks. You just need the right setup.
Start with an RTL-ready theme. Add multilingual support if needed. Use a builder for custom layouts. Test everything carefully. Keep it simple.
Your visitors will notice the effort. They will feel at home. And that is what great web design is all about.
Right to left. Done right.