Localization is not only a strategy to reach a broader audience but also a means to build a loyal customer base.
It gives businesses a competitive edge, considering that 40% of customers avoid purchasing from websites that are not in their language.
However, implementing software localization, whether for an app, website, or other interface, can be challenging.
Here's a guide to ensuring you avoid app localization mistakes.
1. Not Specifying the Exact Locale
Choosing a target language without a specific locale can lead to errors. Languages have variations, such as American, British, South African, and Australian English. These differences affect phrasing, place names, and formatting. Avoid hard-coding formatting into your software; instead, adapt it for every locale, considering:- Naming conventions
- Date/time formats
- Currency and numbers
- Sizes and measurements
- Telephone and address formats
- Special characters
2. Not Using Simple, Concise Text
Ensure your original text is localization-friendly by using simple, concise language without idioms. Adhering to UX writing best practices will facilitate better localization outcomes.
3. Not Giving Translators the Full Context
Provide translators with all necessary context to ensure accurate translations. Share screenshots, notes, glossaries, style guides, and other key documentation. Extract source text from your code for readability before handing it to translators.
4. Not Accounting for Cultural Nuance
Localized content must align culturally with the target audience. For instance, Swedish users prefer straightforward language, so avoid elaborate phrasing. Consider cultural nuances in language, images, payment methods, and other interface elements.
5. Not Incorporating SEO
Adapting content involves SEO research to capture relevant users. Use language-specific SEO keywords to boost visibility and increase sales.
6. Not Considering Word Expansion/Reduction
Different languages have varying text densities. For example, Swedish is more compact than English, while Spanish expands. Design a responsive interface allowing for a 50% margin to accommodate these differences.
7. Not Planning for RTL and Vertical Languages
Prepare for languages that are right-to-left (RTL) like Hebrew or Arabic, or vertical like Chinese or Korean. Ensure your design team can adapt string placements accordingly.
8. Not Checking for Software-Wide Consistency
Maintain consistency across your software to enhance user experience. Employ linguists with translation memory (TM) to ensure uniformity in terms and titles.
9. Not Hiring Professional Linguists
While machine translation (MT) can be useful, it's unsuitable for localization due to the nuanced cultural understanding required. Opt for professional linguists to avoid low-quality translations that could deter customers.
10. Not Starting Localization From Project Kick-Off
Begin localization efforts early, ideally during content creation, to synchronize original text and translations. Early planning allows for stakeholder feedback and localization testing, preventing rushed efforts before product launch.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure your software localization efforts are effective, enhancing customer trust and expanding your market reach.
Read More: Effective Strategies for Mobile App Localization
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