Localization is a process that deals with the adaptation of the products and business according to the demands and preferences of the target audience which could range differently for different countries. Therefore, localization services need to be the best ones. Language is the biggest hindrance when it comes to expanding the business and globalizing it. Companies often face this language barrier while penetrating new markets. English is assumed to be the most popular language on the internet however, it is only 25% of the total. There are other important languages such as Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic that are going at an unprecedented pace.
Website translation services are significant when you as a business internet to launch a product to the market overseas. In order to make your product shine in the new market it has to be accordingly to the preferences. The products should speak their language. The feel and look need to be local and according to the marketing norms of the target audience. Thus the adaption process asks for going beyond the translation and gets involved with a whole new user experience. This needs to be according to the local expectations.
Companies that pursue business expansion all over the world need to have sound strategies for professional website localization services and these should be backed by the modern tools of localization and technology. It is important that the businesses themselves also understand the whole process of localization before they indulge in it. Businesses and entrepreneurs should seek professional localization experts and should also make sure they understand the key features of the localization software. It is important to know it to ensure that they are on the same page with their localization team.
The six important features of localization software are
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Cloud-based access
The cloud-based access to localization tools is a need for globalization and internationalization. It is extremely vital to operate worldwide remotely. These tools should be flexible and the files and the information should be easily accessible from any platform on any device. Moreover, the interesting factor is that these don’t need any particular installation and setup. These work for all types of localization including the app localization services as well.
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Flexibility
Flexibility is another prime factor for localization that businesses need to understand. Therefore, they should be looking for tools that let them add and remove the user conveniently with the varying needs of the localization. The process of changing the users or assigning them roles should be seamless. Also switching between different localization projects can also allow the team to work in an effective manner. The needs in terms of numbers, formats, patterns, and layouts should also be handy.
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API support and integrations
API support is inevident for smooth and seamless mobile app localization services as well as website localization. These tools allow you to deal with the existing tech stack and its infrastructure. Additionally, they let it exchange the data in a more structured way. This way the automation and their tasks including content extraction, translation, and delivery back in the content management system and tools get easier and more integrated.
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Translation memory
This is one of the most useful and beneficial features and should be there as the key feature when it comes to the process of localization. Translation memory helps with software translation services too. This is the feature that allows storing the translated content in a database. This also enables reusing the previously translated content. It saves the previous data and offers its services of similar words and phrases when needed to ensure consistency in the translation. It also helps with the identification of the translated content and the content that matches the most. Translation memory is a great tool that makes businesses save big time on money and time. Translators can attempt searches using this feature where they can see the previously used meanings and definitions of particular terms and phrases. This improves the translation quality.
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Plain search feature
Localization tools should also include a feature where they should offer a simple search to find the needed files or content within a matter of seconds. This helps greatly in professional software translation services as well as for the location of the software, website, and mobile apps. This feature can turn out to be a life savior when the team is working on a big project with thousands of files and words. This saves both translators and localization managers as well.
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A user-friendly interface
An interface is the first medium of introduction between a potential consumer and a business introduction. Therefore, it is important that the interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate. It should not require strong training to get started. The team should also be proficient enough to deal with the technical aspects and should also be able to use the interface without struggling with it.
Conclusion
The process of localization is challenging and technical. The software, mobile apps, and websites are not easy to localize and require sound knowledge and subject matter expertise. Therefore, it is important that business owners also understand the localization process before indulging in it. They need to realize how a good localization toolset should include cloud-based access, flexibility, translation memory, simple research, a user-friendly interface many more.