Website Localization – Is it Absolutely Necessary?

When it comes to doing business, the old saying goes that “the world is your oyster.” And for many companies, this is certainly true. In a globalized economy where people and businesses can connect with each other from anywhere in the world, there are opportunities abound to expand one’s reach and customer base.

However, while expanding into new markets may be a lucrative proposition, it’s not always easy. One of the biggest challenges that businesses face when trying to break into new markets is adapting their products or services to meet the needs and expectations of those new customers. This can be especially difficult when those customers are located in different parts of the world with unique cultural backgrounds and preferences.

One way that businesses can overcome these challenges is by localizing their websites for different global markets. Localization involves translating a website into different languages and adapting it to reflect the cultural norms and expectations of specific regions or countries. By doing this, businesses can make sure that their website content is relevant and appealing to local audiences around the world.

What is Website Localization?

Website localization is the process of translating a website’s content into different languages and adapting it to reflect the cultural norms and expectations of specific regions or countries. The goal of website localization is to make sure that a company’s website content is relevant and appealing to local audiences around the world.

There are a number of different factors that need to be taken into account when localizing a website. In addition to translating the site’s content into different languages, businesses also need to consider things like the format of dates and numbers, the use of images and videos, and even the tone and style of the writing. All of these things can vary depending on the cultural context in which a website will be viewed.

Why Localize Your Website?

There are a number of reasons why businesses might choose to localize their websites for different global markets. Let’s look at a few of the most important reasons:

Expand Your Reach

One of the most obvious reasons to localize your website is to expand your reach and connect with new customers in different parts of the world. If you want to do business in a country where English is not the primary language, then you’ll need to have a website that is available in the local language. Otherwise, you’ll miss out on a whole lot of potential customers.

It’s not just enough to have a website that is available in different languages, though. You also need to make sure that the content on your site is relevant and appealing to local audiences. This means using culturally-appropriate images, videos, and writing styles that will resonant with your new audience.

By localizing your website, you can make sure that you are reaching the widest possible audience and that your content is resonating with them on a cultural level.

Improve Your Search Engine Rankings

Another important reason to localize your website is that it can help improve your search engine rankings. When people search for information online, they are more likely to use keywords in their own language. So, if you want to make sure that your website is appearing in search results for relevant keywords, then you need to have a localized version of your site.

Not only that, but search engines like Google also take into account the location of the person doing the search when they are determining which results to display. So, if someone in Germany is searching for “website design”, they are more likely to see results for German website design companies than they are to see results for companies located in other parts of the world.

By localizing your website, you can make sure that it is appearing in search results for relevant keywords in different countries, which can help you reach new customers and grow your business.

Build Trust and Credibility

When people are looking for information or products online, they are more likely to trust websites that are in their own language. This is especially true if they are looking for information about sensitive topics, such as health or financial matters.

If you want to build trust and credibility with your website visitors, then you need to make sure that your site is available in their language. This way, they will be able to understand your content and feel confident that they can trust the information that you are providing.

Not only that, but by localizing your website, you will also be able to show that you are a credible and trustworthy business that is invested in its global audience. This can help you attract new customers and grow your business.

Localizing your website is a great way to expand your reach, improve your search engine rankings, and build trust and credibility with your audience. If you want to do business on a global scale, then localization is essential.

Still not convinced? Here are a few more reasons why website localization is necessary:

It Helps You Comply with Local Laws

When you do business in a foreign country, you need to make sure that you are complying with all of the local laws and regulations. This includes laws pertaining to website content.

For example, in some countries it is required by law to have a privacy policy that is written in the local language. If you don’t have a localized version of your site, then you could be fined or even banned from doing business in that country.

It Allows You to Connect with Your Audience on a Local Level

If you want to connect with your audience on a local level, then you need to make sure that your website is localized. This way, you can use culturally-appropriate images and videos, and write in a style that is resonating with your new audience.

By localizing your website, you can make sure that you are reaching the widest possible audience and that your content is resonating with them on a cultural level.

What is the Website Localization Process?

Now that you know why website localization is necessary, you might be wondering how the process works.

The first step in a localization workflow is to identify which pages on your site need to be localized. This will usually be your homepage, as well as any other pages that contain important information about your business or product.

Once you have identified which pages need to be localized, the next step to localize your website is to create translated versions of those pages. This can be done by hiring a professional translator or by using a machine translation tool (although you’ll need to do some linguistic quality assurance if you go that route).

Once the translated pages are created, the next step for website internationalization is to add the pages to your website. This can be done by adding a language switcher to your site or by creating separate domain names for each country that you are targeting.

The last step is to test your localized site to make sure that everything is working correctly. This includes testing the navigation, forms, and other functionality to make sure that your site is easy to use for people in different countries.

By following these steps for your localization project, you can ensure that your website is properly localized and that you are able to reach a wider audience as well as the local culture and local markets.

Website Localization vs. Website Translation

It’s important to note that the website localization process is different from the website translation process.

Website translation refers to the process of translating the text on your website into a different language, or creating a multilingual website. This can be done using a professional translator or by using a machine translation tool.

Website localization, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive process that takes into account the different cultures of your target audience. In addition to translating the text on your website, localization also includes adding culturally-appropriate images and videos, and writing in a style that is resonating with your new audience.

Localization is often seen as a more effective way to reach a global audience, as it allows you to connect with your audience on a cultural level. That’s why localization efforts often require professionals who understand localization strategy, cultural elements, local knowledge, target culture, and foreign markets.

Website Localization vs. Software Localization

While both of these types of localization share some similarities, there are also some important differences to keep in mind.

Software localization refers to the process of translating the user interface and documentation for a software application into a different language. This includes translating the text, as well as any menus, dialog boxes, and error messages.

Website localization, on the other hand, is the process of translating and culturally adapting a website for a specific country or region. This includes translating the text on the website, as well as adding culturally-appropriate images, videos, and other content.

Website Localization From the Perspective of a Translator

As a professional translator, I have often been asked to localize websites. And while the process is sometimes seen as being simple, there are actually a lot of different factors that need to be taken into account in order to properly localize a website.

Some of the things that I’ve needed to consider when localizing a website include:

• The target audience: What country or countries is the website being localized for? This will determine which language(s) the website needs to be translated into.
• The tone of the website: Is the website formal or informal? What is the overall tone of the website? This will need to be taken into account when translating the text.
• The style of the website: Is the website creative or more straight-laced? This will also need to be considered when translating the text, as well as when choosing images and videos for the localized version of the site.
• The purpose of the website: Is the website being used for business or personal purposes? The answer to this question will determine the style and tone that is used in the translation.

Localizing a website is not a simple task, but it is one that can be extremely rewarding. It allows you to reach a global audience and connect with them on a cultural level.

What Else Should Be Localized?

In addition to localizing the text on your website, it’s also important to consider other elements that need to be localized in order to reach a global audience.

Some of the other elements that should be localized include:

Images

Images are often seen as being more important than text when it comes to localization. That’s because they can be interpreted differently by people in different cultures. It’s important to choose images that will resonate with your target audience and that won’t be interpreted in a negative way.

Videos

Videos are another important element that should be localized. They should be subtitled or dubbed in the language of your target audience. It’s also important to choose videos that are culturally appropriate and that won’t be seen as offensive.

Social Media Posts

If you’re using social media to reach a global audience, it’s important to consider localization. This means creating social media accounts in the language of your target audience and writing posts that are culturally appropriate.

On Page Elements

There are also a few on-page elements that should be localized, such as the date format, the currency, and the phone number. These elements should be changed to match the format used in the country or countries you’re targeting.

How to Approach Your Localization Strategy

Now that you know what website localization is and why it’s important, you may be wondering how to approach your localization strategy.

Here are a few tips:

Define your target audience: The first step is to define your target audience. Who do you want to reach with your website? What countries are they in? This will help you determine which language(s) you need to translate your site into.

Research your target market: Once you’ve defined your target audience, it’s time to do some research on your target market. What are their needs? What are their wants? What do they value? This information will help you create a localized version of your website that resonates with your target audience.

Consider your budget: Localizing a website can be costly, so it’s important to consider your budget before you start the process. How much can you afford to spend on website localization?

Find a reputable localization company: Once you’ve considered your budget, it’s time to find a reputable localization company. There are many companies out there that offer website localization services, so take your time to find one that you can trust. Use one that has experience with localized content and localization work.

Set up a meeting: Once you’ve found a localization company you’re happy with, set up a meeting to discuss your specific needs. This will help the localization company understand your vision for your website and create a customized plan for your business and website localization project.

Create a timeline: Once you’ve discussed your needs with the localization company, it’s time to create a timeline. When do you want your website to be localized? This will help the localization company create a schedule and ensure that your website is ready when you need it.

Review the localization: Once the localization company has finished localizing your website, it’s important to review the work. Make sure that everything has been translated correctly and that your target audience will be able to understand it.

Make sure your website is accessible: Once your website is localized, it’s important to make sure that it’s accessible to people in different countries. This means checking the hosting, the domain, and the DNS.

Test your website: Once your website is accessible, it’s important to test it to make sure everything is working properly. This includes testing the hosting, the domain, the DNS, and the website itself.

Launch your website: Once you’ve tested your website and everything is working properly, it’s time to launch it. This is the final step in the website localization process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, website localization is a necessary step for any business that wants to reach a global audience. It is a more comprehensive and complex process than website translation and takes into account the different cultures of your target audience.

Localizing your website will allow you to connect with your audience on a cultural level and ensure that your site is easy to use for people in different countries.

If you are planning on localization your website, I recommend working with a professional translator who has experience in the field. They will be able to help you navigate the different aspects of localization and ensure that your site is properly localized for your target audience.

FAQ – Website Localization