We'll start this article with a question and promise to finish the same way: are you ready for website localisation?
There's a thin line between success and failure when it comes to the globalisation of your organisation. Once you make a decision to leave your comfort zone in the domestic market, willpower may not be enough to achieve the same success. That's why you shouldn't forget cultural differences as they might be that thin line dividing success and failure in globallisation.
You made a decision and you are going to the international market? So, the first thing you should consider is your business's need for a multilingual website. Don't accept that a website in English is enough. Insist on the multilingual need because even though English is a preponderant language which more and more digital consumers understand, the best strategy for a successful penetration in many markets is translation and localisation in those markets' languages. There are numerous studies showing that the website's language is a preponderant factor, more important than the price.
Multilingual translation won't do it, you need localisation
After overcoming all possible doubts about the advantages of a multilingual website, it's time to move on to the second stage converting the pursuit of globalisation into a resounding success. Again, when approaching international markets their cultural differences shouldn't be ignored when translating content.
In another article, we mentioned how the images on your company's brochure and website examples could cause unnecessary embarrassment, when they're not culturally relevant. That's why it is important to emphasize the huge importance of content localization. This essential task consists content translation and language adaptation, taking into account the target audience and the market's language, social and cultural specifications.
Localisation needs the right strategy
Simply put, when it comes to firmly stepping in multilingual website localisation, you need to resort to a translation company experienced in content localisation, with a wide network of partners to meet your needs for all the target countries. Make sure that the translation company will also have to be a language partner capable of doing the site localisation with the appropriate tools.
The fact is that a tool like Google Analytics, which presents itself as a privileged starting point for strategy development, won't be enough even if you know which markets to target. Keep in mind that a well-localized copy can make a huge difference, as we’ve already seen, since site localization keeps your brand's integrity in a new market avoiding unnecessary embarrassments.
That's why, and keeping the promise made in the first sentence, we're finishing the way we started, with a question: Are you ready to submit your localization project?
This text was not written by a native English speaker, but by a language lover. However, all our language services are always provided by native speakers.
ABOUT US
Since 1998 providing translation, transcription, interpretation and subtitling services, AP Portugal - Tech Language Solutions is a Portuguese translation company certified by the International Quality Standard ISO 17100, with a translation agency in Lisbon and another in Porto. Recognised internationally for its software and website localisation technology skills, SEO and consulting, it invests enthusiastically in the development of partnerships and cooperation in Luanda, Maputo, Bissau, Praia, São Tomé, as well as in Brazil and anywhere in the world where your organization may need a partner for the African, Brazilian and European Portuguese language.
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