Is Website Localization the Same as Translation?

February 9, 2024

February 2024

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Website localization is a critical part of expanding your brand to new markets. It can help you attract new customers and partners, and improve your overall sales. Not only does website localization help you reach a larger audience, but it’s also important from a marketing perspective.

What’s the difference between localization and translation? It’s a question that pops up frequently, especially for businesses that are launching an international website or app for the first time. While both processes involve adapting content for an audience with different linguistic needs, there are some key differences between localization vs translation. Localization is the process of designing your website or app so that it has appeal to users in a certain region. This involves making sure all the text and images make sense to people in that culture. You might also see localization referred to as “end-user language design” or “language targeting” – which are all essentially the same.

What is Website Translation?

Website translation refers to the process of converting the text on your website into another language. It’s a very specific task that involves taking an existing piece of content, and changing the words so that they’re relevant to a different culture. This might mean that you change your stock website copy, or you have a translator adapt a piece of content that’s specific to your target country.

For example, if you’re running a family health care clinic website in Southern California, you might have patient reviews on your website. But if you want to include these on your website in Spanish, you’ll need a translation of the text that goes into the review widget, so that Spanish speakers can use it.

How is localization different from translation?

While website translation focuses on adapting specific pieces of content, website localization is more about taking a holistic approach to your website and app. Website localization is the process of designing your website or app so that it appeals to users in a certain region. This might involve changing the look of the website’s interface, or adding images that are specific to that culture. It can also involve making sure all the text and images make sense to people in that culture.

 The Importance of Website Localization

Website localization is important for a few reasons. First of all, it allows you to expand your audience. If you launch in a new country, you’ll have a much larger potential reach if your site is localized for that region. Localization can also increase the traffic to a website with organic search results. Localized SEO (search engine optimization) helps your increase traffic in different areas of the world.

It’s also important from a marketing perspective as it shows that you care about the people in that country. If you are launching in a different language, you’ll need to make sure that your website is clearly visible to people in that region. It’s not enough to just translate your website to that language – people in that country won’t be able to find you.

How to Find a Good Website Translation Partner

There are a few things you should look out for when you’re choosing a translation partner. First of all, make sure they specialize in website translation. If they offer website localization, that’s also a good sign. If you’re looking for a website translation partner, make sure you give them as much information as possible. Give them an overview of your business, any specific details about your industry and any special needs you have (for example, you might want to include a translation for a disabled section of the website).

Agency 39a provides website localization services in which website content is adapted for a specific audience. We partner with website translation services to translate website content into various languages, while we perform formatting and usability alterations and make considerations for cultural differences to help ensure the website is accessible and relevant to all users.

Wrapping Up

Website localization is a critical part of expanding your brand to new markets. It can help you attract new customers and partners, and improve your overall sales. Not only does website localization help you reach a larger audience, but it’s also important from a marketing perspective. When you have a localized website, you demonstrate a level of care and commitment to your audience. If you’re planning to expand your website or app to a new country, you’ll need to make sure it’s localized. Website localization involves taking a holistic approach to your website, and making sure all the text and images make sense to people in that culture.

Episode details

What’s the difference between localization and translation? It’s a question that pops up frequently, especially for businesses that are launching an international website or app for the first time. While both processes involve adapting content for an audience with different linguistic needs, there are some key differences between localization vs translation. Localization is the process of designing your website or app so that it has appeal to users in a certain region. This involves making sure all the text and images make sense to people in that culture. You might also see localization referred to as “end-user language design” or “language targeting” – which are all essentially the same.

What is Website Translation?

Website translation refers to the process of converting the text on your website into another language. It’s a very specific task that involves taking an existing piece of content, and changing the words so that they’re relevant to a different culture. This might mean that you change your stock website copy, or you have a translator adapt a piece of content that’s specific to your target country.

For example, if you’re running a family health care clinic website in Southern California, you might have patient reviews on your website. But if you want to include these on your website in Spanish, you’ll need a translation of the text that goes into the review widget, so that Spanish speakers can use it.

How is localization different from translation?

While website translation focuses on adapting specific pieces of content, website localization is more about taking a holistic approach to your website and app. Website localization is the process of designing your website or app so that it appeals to users in a certain region. This might involve changing the look of the website’s interface, or adding images that are specific to that culture. It can also involve making sure all the text and images make sense to people in that culture.

 The Importance of Website Localization

Website localization is important for a few reasons. First of all, it allows you to expand your audience. If you launch in a new country, you’ll have a much larger potential reach if your site is localized for that region. Localization can also increase the traffic to a website with organic search results. Localized SEO (search engine optimization) helps your increase traffic in different areas of the world.

It’s also important from a marketing perspective as it shows that you care about the people in that country. If you are launching in a different language, you’ll need to make sure that your website is clearly visible to people in that region. It’s not enough to just translate your website to that language – people in that country won’t be able to find you.

How to Find a Good Website Translation Partner

There are a few things you should look out for when you’re choosing a translation partner. First of all, make sure they specialize in website translation. If they offer website localization, that’s also a good sign. If you’re looking for a website translation partner, make sure you give them as much information as possible. Give them an overview of your business, any specific details about your industry and any special needs you have (for example, you might want to include a translation for a disabled section of the website).

Agency 39a provides website localization services in which website content is adapted for a specific audience. We partner with website translation services to translate website content into various languages, while we perform formatting and usability alterations and make considerations for cultural differences to help ensure the website is accessible and relevant to all users.

Wrapping Up

Website localization is a critical part of expanding your brand to new markets. It can help you attract new customers and partners, and improve your overall sales. Not only does website localization help you reach a larger audience, but it’s also important from a marketing perspective. When you have a localized website, you demonstrate a level of care and commitment to your audience. If you’re planning to expand your website or app to a new country, you’ll need to make sure it’s localized. Website localization involves taking a holistic approach to your website, and making sure all the text and images make sense to people in that culture.

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