Online businesses often need to make their websites multilingual in order to reach new audiences. In such cases, translation isn’t enough. If your goal is to expand your business and reach customers in new markets, you need localization services.
A localization service provider is a long-term partner who handles all of your business’s translation requirements. That includes your international website, marketing materials, mobile apps, help desk, and even your customer support. Because this is a long-term partnership, it’s important to pick a localization service provider who is reliable and trustworthy.
But how do you choose the right localization services? In this post, we’re sharing 5 tips that will help you find a localization service provider that offers quality work.
Determine your localization needs
Identifying your needs is the first step in finding the right localization services. This involves being aware that you want localization, not just simple translation. Localization is a deeper form of translation, where the content is given a local look and feel.
Decide on the languages for which you’ll require localization services, the timeline, your budget, your project’s overall volume, etc. It will be much simpler to limit your options once you have a clear idea of the demands and expectations your localization partner must meet.
Do your research
The next step is to start doing your research by looking into different localization service vendors. After selecting several potential providers, ask about their localization process. Do they have a TMS (translation management system) that their team is relying on? Do their language experts have the necessary experience and qualifications? Do they use emailing, syncing, or uploading to transfer files? There are numerous approaches to localization, so be sure the vendor you choose can work with the software and internal procedures you already have.
Also, it is a good idea to request a sample translation and have it reviewed by a third party. Even better, consider testing your potential localization service provider on a small-scale live project to look into their workflow and perhaps detect any problems.
Ask for references and success stories
Your research should also include inquiries about the localization provider’s experience in the relevant subject. Has the provider worked with a company of your industry and size before? What type of content have they localized so far? How large is their translation volume? Any business you work with must be able to show a successful track record.
You can also check out the testimonials and reviews the vendor has received from past clients. The next step would be to get in touch with one or more of the people who left those reviews and inquire about their experiences. This is an extra step and it takes time but is a great way to verify that the localization provider is who they claim to be.
Check the pricing
When making a business decision, price is always an important consideration, but it shouldn’t be the only one. Although cheaper prices can be alluring, they can ultimately end up costing you more.
Check if the provider is offering machine translation with post-editing or pricing for professional human translators. Machine translation won’t provide the required quality if your content needs to be completely translated for a different nation, culture, and language, but it will be less expensive. A very low unit pricing also typically denotes a totally different standard of quality and service.
It may be more cost-effective for your company to pay a higher rate that includes not only a translation but also localization, editing, proofreading, project management, and other services like file preparation and formatting because it will not only guarantee high-quality but also enable you to penetrate the new market faster.
Test the customer support
Finally, a localization company’s customer support is a crucial indicator of professionalism. You can trust an agency to manage any problems that may emerge if they are available at all times.
Try getting in touch with a potential localization provider via phone, chat, or email to evaluate how quickly they respond and how satisfied you are with their service. How they respond to your initial query is an excellent indicator of how they will serve you as a customer. A localization company should also be aware of the value of speaking the same language as their clients when communicating with them.
Why choosing the right localization services is so important
Choosing the best localization services for your company might take a lot of time and effort, but it’s also important because it reflects the quality of your brand and products. The right localization services can help you transform your business into a global market player.
The localization service provider will become part of your team, so it’s crucial to choose carefully in order to achieve long-term success.