Does your company operate internationally or does it have a global presence?
Do you have a product that you are trying to sell in more than one territory?
Website and product localisation is something you cannot afford to ignore when you are planning to expand your business in another region. While you may be aware of the significance and impact localising can have on your product and web presence, you may not be fully cognizant of how to convert your product and website in a way that would appeal to your target audience.
The team at TranslationsinLondon, a professional London based translation agency, has compiled a list of do’s and don’ts for startups and companies that are planning to localise their digital footprint:
Do’s
a. Hire Professional and Experience Translators and Interpreters
When you are hiring a translator to localise your website or product always choose professionals who are not only certified but also experienced translators or have degrees in translation.
b. Use a Professional Language Services Provider (LSP)
When it comes to localising you product, do not go for 2 or 3 languages, instead go for a service provider that can provide you with a multitude of languages. Having your products localised for as many languages as possible will protect your brand. A professional LSP will provide you better quality, as well as, project management services, helping you stay on budget.
c. Localise your Product Keeping your Audience in Mind
It is very important to first understand your audience and the target market. Be mindful of of their unique cultural context and make sure the content that appears on your website or product is culturally aware and sensitive.
Don’ts
a. Don’t use Flags to Represent Locales
Many websites tend to use flags to identify different locales.This is a huge mistake, because most people in America can’t tell the difference between Union Jack and the Australian flag, due to their similarities. On the other hand, many countries have two or more national languages, in Canada both English and French are spoken, and same is the case for Spain, where Spanish, Portuguese and French are spoken. So it is wise to avoid using flags to identify locales and languages and instead list language options as clearly as possible for your audience.
b. Don’t Overuse Abbreviations and Special Symbols
Abbreviations and special symbols could mean different things to different people. It is best to avoid abbreviations and symbols of website or product. If it is inevitable then an explanation should be provided so that your audience understands it.
c. Don’t Rely on UK or US based Employees to Understand Language and Culture of another Country:
It is important to hire professional and experienced translators who are locals and have a good understanding of the language and culture of the country. Language Service Providers hire local translators and interpreters for this reason.
Language is without doubt the most essential tool we have for global expansion. Therefore, it is important to localise your website and product by someone who has mastered the language and can help you reach out to your target audience in the way that you want. TranslationsinLondon is a language service provider that offers superior corporate translation services and professional multilingual project management to meet all your translation and localisation needs.
