As the digital economy grows all around us, more and more companies are looking into operating across national borders — if they aren’t already doing it. Website localization helps companies penetrate new markets by letting their goods and services appeal more to people in various cities and towns around the world.
What Is Website Localization?
Website localization is, in very simple terms, a process that involves customizing a website’s content, language, design, and functionality. For businesses expanding abroad, this is a vital approach to connecting with individuals all around.
A CSA Research poll indicates that 76% of consumers would purchase goods including information in their native tongue instead. It illustrates how vital tailored communication is to building confidence and raising conversion rates.
Website Localization vs. Translation: How Are They Different?
Although it often entails a lengthy process, translating a website is a fairly straightforward process. As you’ve probably guessed, all you have to do to convert all text elements in your website into other languages. This includes copy for:
- Content
- Buttons
- Widgets
- Menus
- Headers
- Footers
- Alt text
Translating the content of a big website could take many weeks or even months. Though there are various free translating services you might use, a professional translator can be your best choice. After all, although it may be more of an investment, it should guarantee you end up with accurate and natural-sounding text that actually transmits what you want it to.
Although one can translate a website from one language to another, this does not guarantee sufficient localization — contrary to popular belief. Localizing a website requires researching local customs. Thus, accurate localization frequently involves more than simply literal translation.
It is possible to have a multi-regional website that uses the same languages. A prime illustration of this is online storefronts. Even among countries that speak the same language, you’ll often see foreign retailers who have localized versions of their websites. You can apply local proxies to access more web content. For example, if you want to try out German fashion stores, why not try out German proxies for better search results?
Getting Your Website Localized: Three Simple Steps
Website localization is a customized strategy that significantly improves website user experience. As a result, users develop a sense of comfort and confidence. If you want to know how to localize your website, let’s go over each stage and some best practices:
1. Internalization
Developers will need to set up the right technology for each version of your website. This includes things like date forms, currency, and string character limits. Taking care of all of this early on makes it easier to adapt and localize, which means that changes in the future will be made more quickly and for less money.
2. Translation
To create a digital experience that works well for people in a particular area, you’ll need to build on what you learned during internalization and translate your material into the language people speak there. A translation management system can help speed up and make this step easier by automating some of it. This is especially useful for businesses that need to send many different projects every day in other languages.
3. Localization
That gets us to localized websites. In addition to translation, you’ll need to consider how the content fits with national norms. This includes photos, graphics, and videos, all of which may need to be changed. For instance, think about the weather in the area where you’re localizing. People who live in deserts, like those in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, probably won’t react as positively to pictures of an SUV driving in a rainforest, unlike one being driven over dunes.
Benefits of Website Localization
Some may think website localization is an unnecessary step. However, it has more perks than you could ever imagine. Some of the most relevant are:
- Expanded market reach: By allowing their particular language and cultural preferences, website localization enables businesses to link and communicate with a wider worldwide audience.
- Improved user experience: Localizing a website assures the local audience of more relevant, understandable, and simple-to-use material.
- Increased conversion rates: Localized websites that speak the local language and address regional peculiarities often show rising engagement and conversion rates.
- Competitive advantage: Companies that undertake localization investments set themselves apart from competitors who do not, therefore offering customers from all around the world a more tailored experience. Customizing material for local search engines may produce better search results and more natural traffic in some regions.
- Cultural sensitivity and relevance: Adapting content to local audiences’ conventions and values fosters credibility and confidence.
Conclusion
Localizing a website calls for a lot of diligent work. Although translation is a necessary step most of the times, you also have to modify your content to fit the needs of clients in specific areas of the world. When done right, website localization and translation can help you grow your business, enhance your website, and boost brand recognition. This will ultimately raise sales and increase your bottom line.
