The internet has spread to all parts of the world.
This means that websites need to meet the demands of people that do and don’t speak the main language of the website. And a poor translation can end up putting your website in a bad light.
Here is why you need website localization and the power it has to persuade customers.
What Is Website Localization?
Website localization differs from a local website or local business. It refers to the process of adapting your website to meet the needs of those around the globe, as not everyone speaks the same language.
Localization means more than just translating the website, though. You’ll want to also focus on aspects of contacting and providing customer service to these customers from other countries so that they have a pleasant experience on your website.
This can even include art, as certain cultures may find something insulting or taboo.
Why Does Translation Matter?
While most browsers have a translator built-in, they don’t always provide the right context that your website is trying to convey. They can often lead to funny or even insulting instances where the words or phrases don’t line up in the language that they’re translating to.
You’ll want a more natural-sounding tone to the translation, as this can increase the number of customers that convert.
If you’re looking for a good website localization service, see more here on why this company is right for you.
What Are the Most Common Languages on the Internet?
The most common language on the internet is still English. Even those who don’t have a strong grasp of the language will still write content in English because that is what most of the internet is used to.
After that, the second most common language on the internet is Russian. You’ll want to check where your foreign traffic is coming from to plan out how you want to approach localization. If there is a large number of Hindi speakers coming to your website, you should prioritize that language first.
Despite China having the highest number of users on the internet, they don’t have a lot of website localization. This may stem from the fact that there is no standard “Chinese” language, as Chinese refers to a family of languages. However, that may change as Mandarin becomes the standard for the country, which has over 1 billion native speakers, making it the most natively spoken language on Earth.
Website Localization Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
Website localization should start with the foreign visitors that come to your site the most. They’ll be the ones you’re looking to convert and then focus on the countries that you hope to expand to.
Stick with simple language that can translate easily, and you’ll be on the road to happy customers everywhere.
If you want to learn more about optimizing your website, then be sure to check out the rest of the blog. Know someone that runs a website with low foreign conversion rates? Share this blog with them to help them out.