In the current business space, with international operations being the norm for many companies, cross-cultural and language skills to reach global audiences are incredibly valuable. This is where localization services become vital for your company. The services ensure your content is culturally relevant and acceptable to the targeted market.
However, the selection of proper localization services plays a crucial role in ensuring your organization’s positive global interactions. This guide shares vital aspects of localization and how you can choose an ideal service provider.
Localization Services Overview and When to Use It
Localization services include the conversion of content, products, or services in order to meet the intended market’s language, culture protocol, or other technical requirements. While it is a kind of translation, it goes one step further by guaranteeing that readers engage with messages that are locally formatted and made relevant specifically for them.
Localization services involve translators and editors, programmers and software localization specialists, UI and UX designers, and translation project managers, and local marketers.
If you are planning to venture into new business markets, you must employ localization services to increase the chances of making new customer bases happy with your brand. Other factors to consider when using localization services include requirements for more cultural content, addressing complicated communication, and strengthening local ties with your brand.
How to Find the Ideal Localization Service
Choosing the right localization services provider is a strategic choice that determines the quality of your company’s communication with international clients. The evaluation criteria must be multifaceted and specific to your unique business needs.
So, while selecting the service provider, you must address these factors:
1. Markets You Will Target
While some of the localization service providers are experts in specific regions, others are involved in the international market. So, make a list of the markets you want to move your business into. Doing so will assist you in identifying a provider who can serve your business expansion agenda in the best way.
2. Your Workflow Style
Think about the dynamics of your work and whether you will opt for an agile, lean, or traditional process. Depending on the nature and specifics of your localization process, you may need a provider that can quickly and smoothly integrate into your organization’s communication stream. Ensure they don’t stick to their rigid approaches and evaluate how adaptable they are as per your business environment.
3. Your Content Production Volume
Consider the size of content you create daily, weekly, or monthly. Ideal service providers often process vast quantities of content by dividing assignments between translators for a fast turnaround duration. Of course, speed is always a significant consideration, but you must also ensure that the selected provider can offer quality and a consistent level of service for all tasks.
4. Roll-out Strategy
Decide if you will roll out your content at once throughout multiple markets or you will use a phased, region-by-region launching strategy. If you implement your strategy into numerous markets at once, your service provider must have suitable technologies and processes to support large-scale localization workflows effectively.
5. Requirement of Outsourced Quality Assurance
Determine whether you should outsource your quality assurance (QA) operations. If your organization does not have its own capacity for QA, a localization provider with integrated QA from the very start may be helpful. On the other hand, if you already have a QA mechanism in place (for instance, having native speakers review the localized content), then you might not require this added service.
6. File Formats You Use
Find out which file types need localization solutions. If you use more sophisticated software tools that support specific file formats, you must hire a provider that simultaneously meets these needs. File format incompatibilities can cause significant challenges to your localization process.
7. Technologies They Have
Technology has become a significant factor in localization services as the service industry advances. For instance, the Translation Management System (TMS) enables experts to share and update all information regarding translation in real-time with the team, improving their efficiency.
Additionally, most providers are applying AI and machine translation in their operations today. So, be sure to ask your sorted provider whether they have a machine translation in place and whether they get it edited by experts afterwards.
8. Nature of Your Content
Is your content understandable, or does it use very specialized and technical terminologies? If your localization projects require intricate work, seek a provider that offers the feature of in-context translation, such as auto-UI screenshots and so forth.
Hansem Global, for instance, adapts electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (eCOA) solutions to maintain clinical documents’ intended meaning and resonance across targeted languages and cultures. It focuses on accuracy to eliminate multiple reviews. Besides clinical translations, the localization service provider serves a number of industries.
9. Turnaround Expectations
Determine the urgency of your localization projects. Some providers may take longer to complete the task because they lack adequate resources, while some firms may be able to complete a project within the shortest time possible. However, ensure that faster turnaround does not in any way reduce the quality of the work delivered.
10. Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
What can be accepted in one culture can be downright offensive in the other. Thus, your chosen service provider must have adequate knowledge of regional languages and cultures and consumer trends. A culturally competent provider will assist you in building a better rapport with your audience.
11. Your Scaling Plans
Think about your future scaling requirements. For instance, you may need frequently produced updated content but do not need extensive language combinations or high volumes. Or maybe your projects require flawless execution on tight deadlines. Depending on your plans, partner with providers equipped with the necessary technology and expertise.
12. Service Level You Need
Establish how you define service levels and what procedures are in place for addressing localization issues. Ensure that your service provider comprehensively understands your requirements and can provide adequate support when challenges arise. It’s advisable to outline expectations and roles within a formal agreement to ensure accountability on both sides.
Reach the Right Localization Service Providers
After identifying your needs, research a localization services provider that fits your needs. The best approach is to look for providers who have been in the business for long enough to offer localization services in your area of operation. The longer a firm has been in business, the more likely they are to understand your unique issues. Also, quality standards like ISO certifications show the providers’ commitment to quality in localization. To get an idea of their service, read case studies and customer reviews.
FAQs
1. Are machine translation and human translation interchangeable?
Though machine translation offers a quick and cost-effective option, it fails to recognize the cultural differences and context that human-powered translations can provide. A combination of both, usually referred to as machine translation with post-editing, is recommended to maintain quality.
2. What should I include in my localization project brief?
In your localization project brief, include target markets, specific content types that need localization, timelines, budget, and any particular cultural nuances or regulatory requirements to consider.
3. What kinds of localization services are available?
You can find services to localize your software, app, website, video game, marketing, legal documents, and more.