Elements such as currency, payment options and dimensions for products can-and should-be localized to local standards whenever possible. It can also apply to how your website presents information, how it’s designed, or even how it functions. An 80/20 split is the best balance of translation and localization. Using region-specific terms can boost SEO by matching terms customers use in local search engines, too. You’re not only literally speaking their language-you’re talking like a local. By using these regionally-preferred translations, you can generate more interest and engagement among customers. Localization goes beyond the linguistic word-for-word conversion of conventional translation and instead uses words and phrases that resonate within specific markets. These approaches are far riskier in the long-run because of their lack of experience or technical expertise in the nuances of website translation. Learn more about the differences between machine and human translation.Ĭompanies that are worried about translation costs might be tempted to mitigate their investment by using in-house solutions, even going so far as to use non-translators.
#Machine translation vs transliteration software#
There are several ways to approach translating the content, ranging from low-cost (and generally low-accuracy) software “machine” translation to pricier (but much better quality) human translation. This material can also be translated to deliver a terrific customer experience for global audiences. No single customer ever sees all of this dynamically-served content … but all of it must be translated, to ensure all customers experience an immersive in-language experience.įinally, you probably have a wealth of omnichannel content that can help your sales and marketing efforts in new markets, such as: There’s also gobs of translatable phrases and assets that are stored in a content database, which are dynamically presented to customers in unique ways. Multimedia content such as images (featuring text), videos and PDFs are other fairly obvious media to translate, too.īut your site is packed with hundreds-if not thousands-of strings of additional metadata text that only search engines see.
The most apparent content is the on-site static text used to describe or promote services and products, or to provide information to customers while in the conversion funnel (such as shipping information). Your website is brimming with translatable content, in obvious-and not-so-obvious-places. Translating your website makes it accessible and useable to local customers. TranslationĬontent translation for websites is exactly what you think it is: Taking your website content in its original language-let’s say English-and adapting it for your target audience by rewriting it in the language they prefer-Spanish, Chinese, French, etc. Read on to gain insights into each, and which approach-or combination of approaches-is best for your growing brand.
For companies going global in certain industries, such as pharmaceutical or manufacturing, translation may be required by law. These various “flavors” of translation can help you serve foreign markets, support existing global customers, or simply stay competitive in an increasingly global online marketplace. You’ll want to consider these four key approaches to translation as you move forward with your website translation project:Įach approach has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Depending on your industry, target audience, business goals and budget, word-for-word translation might not be the only approach-or even the best approach-to use, as you serve global customers online. Translation, like language itself, is more art than science. That definition only tells part of the story. It’s the process of converting content from one language into another, word-for-word, right? Most people consider the word “translation” to mean something fairly straightforward.
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