How Does Website Localization Work?
Creating a website that speaks your audience’s language is one thing, but making it truly feel like home? That’s the magic of localization. Localizing web content is not just about changing one language to another.
Unlike traditional translation, localizing websites means changing your web content to fit the culture, preferences, and style of a specific region. Think of it as the difference between wearing an off-the-rack outfit and one that’s custom-tailored to fit you perfectly.
For example, did you know the same word in Spanish might mean different things depending on whether you’re in Spain, Mexico, or South America? Localization captures those nuances, ensuring your message connects authentically—no awkward mix-ups or cultural missteps.
Want to make your web content feel at home for any audience? Keep reading for helpful tips on effective localization!
Learn what level of localization your website needs with a FREE Website Translation Diagnostic Scorecard!
Globalization vs. Internationalization vs. Localization
Globalization, internalization, and localisation are three different concepts related to how businesses operate and expand their operations. Globalization refers to the integration of economies, cultures, and societies across the world. In business, globalization refers to expanding into other countries. It involves setting up a global supply chain and adapting products and services for various cultures and markets.
The process of internationalization involves creating software or mobile apps and then localizing them to target unique cultures, regions, and languages. Software developers and engineers do this to make sure websites work well in different languages and cultures.
Localizing websites involves adapting products, services, and marketing strategies to meet the specific needs and preferences of a particular local market. This can involve changes to language, design, branding, or product features to better appeal to local consumers. Site localization can help companies gain a deeper understanding of local markets and establish stronger relationships with customers.
The Basics of Web Content Localization
Localizing a website requires five key elements
- Different languages and regions ensure that the website’s text, content, and brand voice are genuine and tailored to users. This helps to create a customized experience for users.
- Websites use cultural aspects of communication to show understanding of different cultures and make users feel comfortable. This includes dates and times, units of measurement, and local holidays.
- Transactional elements such as currency, payment options, addresses and character sets are not only important for the local feel of the site, but for the accuracy and proper handling of transactions and on-site conversions.
- Local communication and trust elements such as phone numbers, local addresses, in-language customer support, legal notices and security banners may not seem mission-critical, but they’re key to engaging with local audiences. They also ensure that your in-market sales and marketing teams have the information they need to serve your customers.
- Transactional elements like currency, payment options, addresses, and character sets are important for the site’s local feel. They also ensure accurate handling of transactions and on-site conversions.
4 Benefits of Website Localization
Website localization can provide several benefits for businesses looking to expand their global reach. Here’s what you can expect to gain from the right localization for website strategy:
- Increased Sales and Revenue: A website for a specific area can help businesses connect with customers they couldn’t reach before. By providing a website that is accessible and relevant to local customers, businesses can increase revenue and establish themselves in local markets.
- Improved SEO and website traffic: Localized websites that are optimized for local search engines and keywords can help improve search engine rankings, which can drive more traffic to the website. By using the right keywords and phrases in local languages, businesses can be more visible to local customers. This helps customers find their products or services online.
- Increased customer engagement: Localization allows businesses to tailor their website to the specific needs and preferences of a local market, which can increase customer engagement and satisfaction. By offering content that connects with local audiences, businesses can create a more personal experience. This encourages customers to spend more time on the website and engage with the brand.
- Improved brand reputation: Localization can help businesses establish a stronger presence in local markets, which can improve their reputation and credibility with local customers. By focusing on the needs of local customers, businesses can build trust and loyalty. This can lead to long-term success and growth in new markets.
How to Begin Web Site Localization in 4 Easy Steps
Are you ready to seek out website localization services? To begin your web site localisation project, you need to lay a strong foundation. You need to ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I dedicated to making a genuine, multilingual website to show my users that I value their experience? (You’ll read more about this in an upcoming section.)
- Do I have the right professionals on my team to support my site as it scales? A great partner can help make this easy.
- Are my in-market sales teams asking for a more complete, robust online experience for their customers? If the demand is there, it might be time to meet it.
- Is my content engaging and enriching enough to attract my target audiences? You’ve already invested in a powerful online experience, and you want to maximize the return on that investment.
How to Keep Your Website Relevant
After a web site localization project, your users should be able to navigate your site easily and quickly. Ensure your translated content uses the appropriate language and terms that resonate with the local customers you serve. Literal translations can come across as obviously out of touch with the local culture, and compromise things like SEO and brand integrity.
This approach includes localizing multimedia content, too. Using images, videos, and PDFs in the right language can boost brand credibility and engage users with the content.
As always, the devil is in the details. Make sure your international customers can easily understand and utilize the significant information on your website. This includes adapting currency, payment methods, measurements, address formats, and contact details. With these changes, your customers won’t miss a beat as they’re spending time on your site.
What Needs to Be Localized?
Great website localization means thinking beyond the site itself to all the digital assets, content and channels that make up your international digital presence.
First and foremost, consider how locals will discover your site. Make sure regional search engines know about your new local website, so you’re easy to find in search results.
Having a website localization or translation partner who understands SEO can be beneficial. They can help you go beyond just using localized keywords and utilize advanced tools like Proxy Translation Technology. This ensures the translated version of your website properly displays in your customers’ local search engine results.
Advanced providers can use technology to detect user preferences on your site. This allows them to welcome first-time visitors in their preferred language. They can also guide visitors to the most suitable localized site.
Learn what level of localization your website needs with a FREE Website Translation Diagnostic Scorecard!
The Basics of Omnichannel Multilingual Marketing
If your company uses an omnichannel marketing strategy, localization will become more involved and complicated.
Ensure you translate your omnichannel content, including email campaigns, social media posts, and offline assets. You need to consider things like social media handles and pop-ups, as well as how localizing affects format.
For instance, one must take into consideration that Arabic reads right to left. Find a partner who can help you locate and customize content, making sure it is connected to your online presence.
See what our CEO Evan Kramer has to share about omnichannel multilingual marketing:
Why Microsites Aren’t Enough
As you expand to international markets with your digital presence, one thing becomes abundantly clear: local markets expect a website experience that is every bit as fantastic as the one on your flagship site.
It can be tempting to solve the localization problem with a simple microsite. This site takes important information about your company. It translates this information into the local language. It also provides a shorter experience for users.
But users regularly abandon websites that don’t provide consistent language experiences or deliver compromised experiences in favor of taking a simplified approach.
As you extend your global reach into new markets, strike the right balance with powerful website translation that doesn’t compromise the user experience.
Invest in the Best Website Localization Solution
When adapting your company’s website for local markets, focus on finding solutions that provide accurate translations and engaging localizations.
To effectively localize and translate a website, you need top-notch translators. You also need advanced technology to deliver the right content to the right audience. A good partner can assist with managing workflows and translations, making it simple to publish, track, and update content.
MotionPoint elegantly employs both website translation and localization to ensure clear, effective, relatable content for every market where you do business. We designed our localization platform to meet all translation and localization needs, big or small. Reach out to us today and let us help you reach new markets where your business will thrive.