Businesses, brands, and companies are going global to attract new potential customers from foreign markets. After making a firm decision to go global, the first and foremost step in creating a multilingual website and app is the content translation from an authentic language service provider.
However, remember that a multilingual online platform is more than just a content translation. There are other highly relevant factors like cultural preferences, clashes, colors, visuals, etc. Let’s briefly discuss the important factors that can influence the development and marketing of multilingual websites and apps.
Without any doubt, creating a multilingual website is a daunting task and takes a lot more effort and time. The space is limited, and creating a universally compatible UI/UX design requires experience, technical versatility, and the services of a leading website localization agency.
Create a Global Template or Recreate Different Local Versions
Primarily, there can be two strategies to create a multilingual online platform that represents a uniform and consistent brand voice. You can create a global template and tailor your content according to different global markets.
This strategy will maintain a consistent look and user experience across different global target markets. It is relevant to know that the user might visit the different versions of your website. So a global uniform template can showcase a consistent brand voice professionally. Moreover, if your website is built in WordPress then you can use the WPML functionality to translate WordPress websites with WPML. All you have to do is select the text and get your translation done from the translation dashboard. There are multiple options to translate WordPress websites with WPML. You can either translate the content manually or get it translated by website translation and localization services.
Furthermore, one relevant example of an innovative localization strategy is Starbucks’ website launch in Japan. Starbucks launched a completely localized Japanese version of its website for the local Japanese and another English version to attract English-speaking foreigners of the Japanese market.
After integrating a universal design, one recommended way is to place multiple language support options visibly showing after the login. Users have to pick the language of their choice just for the first time. Another important aspect is to label the language option either by the national flag or the local language name. Businesses and brands can follow the localization example of Starbucks.
Make the Global Aspects of Your Website Visible
When you have created separate localized versions of the content of your website or app, it is time to facilitate multilingual users with a visible language change option (global gateway). The positioning of the global gateway is very crucial. Some people place it at the end of the page and fail to attract multilingual users. The localized design of the website and app can address these issues. The global gateway option must be placed visibly to facilitate and attract multilingual users and visitors.
Another important aspect is to embed the language option by the name of the language instead of the language flag because just like most of the languages, the German language is not confined to its borders but is also spoken in many parts of Europe. Furthermore, the same is the case with the English language. However, below are a few reasons for not using flags for language options.
- Almost all the time, a flag is affiliated with the country, not the language.
- Mostly, there are more than three languages spoken in one country. So a user might be irritated by choosing a German language and end up on a Swiss version of the website or app.
- Especially in the case of the apps, a flag option can become extra small and create confusion.
Enable Websites and Apps for Space and Text Expansions and Contraction
Another important aspect of localization is adhering to the fact that when text is translated from the English language, it will take 30% to 200% more space. That is why it is relevant to manage the space while localizing the websites and apps of your brand and businesses.
However, there are some languages that take far less space than English like Chinese and Japanese languages.
Another important aspect is the use of the right format of date, address, and time. Different regions use different formats for writing date, time, and addresses. It is very important to look out for these technical aspects while localizing your apps or websites. To avoid discrepancies, most professional businesses, brands, and companies prefer to get the services of a professional website localization agency.
Design and Colors Can Make all the Difference
When we talk about the role and need for website translation and localization services, the aspect of design and color is very crucial. Colors and design create a familiarity with a brand’s voice and style. This is one of the primary reasons to acquire professional translation and localization services.
However, you should refrain from gifting a red gift to your Japanese friend on the occasion of a housewarming because, in Japanese culture, red is associated with fire. The same is the case with the visuals and icons of your internationally localized app or website.
Manage Left to Right and Right to Left Translations
Furthermore, unlike English, some languages like Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Urdu are read and written from right to left. This means that the change of language requires the overall restructure of every icon and arrangement.
Moreover, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese languages are written vertically as well as horizontally. So, to adhere to all these technical and linguistic challenges and provide an ideal global experience, the role of professional website translation and localization services is pivotal.
Conclusion
Amid the global trend of internationalization, companies and businesses are turning toward professional localization and language service providers. We have briefly discussed that there are more than a few technical aspects we need to consider while localizing the apps and websites.
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