Localisation – Where to start

First, let’s start with some quick definitions:

“Translation” is the process of rendering text from one language into another so that the meaning is equivalen

“Localization” is a more comprehensive process and addresses cultural and non-textual components as well as linguistic issues when adapting a product or service for another country or locale.

However, real world limitations mean this is not always possible.

However, real world limitations mean this is not always possible.

If you’re looking to localise a translation but struggling to find where to start and what to do, here’s some hints for you.

Localisation for customers

For most companies, the reason you’re localising is to better serve certain demographics of customers.

A great starting point is to take a deep dive into your customer base. Find out what makes them tick, and what they want from you. Identify previous successes and their motivations for using your product or service.

Analytics are there to be used

Tracking user behaviour can reveal a myriad of information that will help with your localisation project.

Where do they come from? Where do they go? What are the most popular pages?

This information helps you decide how you should localise, what to prioritise, and areas where the most value can be found.

Peek at the competition

“Good artists copy, great artists steal.”

While we would never condone stealing, the sentiment is correct.

Analysing what your competition is doing with regards to localisation can be a great way to find methods that work and improve on areas that are ineffective.

Call in professionals

“My company has employees that speak the target localisation language. Why don’t I just get them to do it?”

While native speakers are great resources when it comes to working in another language, localisation is far more complicated than simply translating. There are certain nuances that native speakers may routinely overlook.

Projects often have many moving pieces that need to be coordinated and managed in an efficient manner. This can be overwhelming for those who are not used to managing localisation plans.

Luckily, this is the area that Iddiom excels at. We have an extensive network of professional translators and transcreators. They specialise in making sure that the brand look, tone, and values are all consistently localised to your target market.

We also encourage you to communicate with us and provide feedback so that we can best serve your needs. Find out how we can help you with your next localisation project and contact our team now..