Are you aware that just 25% of the world’s population can read and speak English? It implies that there are numerous unexplored markets all around the world.
The process of localizing content from your brand (such as websites or apps) for a foreign audience. Language translation is the first step in localization, but it’s not the last.
The secret to expanding your brand in international markets is to have a content localization strategy.
What is a content localization strategy?
Localizing content, including texts and visuals, for various regional target audiences, is where it all starts. Since visiting a company website is the simplest way to learn about a brand or product, website localization is a well-known method of providing potential customers with the information they require.
Therefore, developing a content localization strategy entails creating a detailed plan that outlines the procedures necessary to translate the content so that it is clear and understandable for the audience. Choosing the markets you want to enter, the objectives you want to accomplish there, and the related techniques are all part of defining your content localization strategy.
The difference between localization and merely translating English terms into other languages must always be kept in mind. The process of localization, which entails adjusting website or app content to local expectations and reality, is far more involved.
Use the website for Nike as an illustration. In addition to translating the text of their website, they did extensive research and tailored their message to popular sports in a particular area or nation.
For instance, the Nike website in Argentina emphasizes soccer whereas the website in the US has a greater emphasis on basketball-related information.
Essential localization strategies to grow your business
Conduct market research
Recognize the international market that your company wishes to “expand” into. Regulations, permissions, certifications, and other legal requirements must be understood. Recognize regional taboos and culturally significant topics.
Why is this important?
The legal requirements speak for themselves, after all. But if you don’t conduct adequate research, your brand can come out as offensive or irrelevant.
Consider the entry of the diaper company Pampers in Japan. It is common in western society to have images of a stork delivering you a child. But the Japanese market was perplexed by this. A peach bringing the baby would be the equivalent in local parlance. Only thorough research or hiring a native speaker translator would have made this discovery.
Take a decision on what languages to translate and localize to
Choosing which language or languages you should translate into is the second stage. Even though it seems obvious, it’s important to recognize that regional dialects might vary.
Mandarin, Cantonese, Wu, and Min, for instance, are the primary languages spoken in China. There are numerous variants and dialects of these. You might as well not translate or localize your content if you enter a market and speak the incorrect dialect.
Why does this even matter?
Choosing which language or languages you should translate into is the second stage. Even though it seems obvious, it’s important to recognize that regional dialects might vary.
Mandarin, Cantonese, Wu, and Min, for instance, are the primary languages spoken in China. There are numerous variants and dialects of these. You might as well not translate or localize your content if you enter a market and speak the incorrect dialect.
Boost international SEO
Customers use Google (or a regionally appropriate equivalent) to look for the goods and services they require in their native tongue. In accordance with their search query, Google displays the results. And most of the time, people would formulate their search terms in their native tongue. if the search terms used by your new users on your website are not localized. Simply said, it won’t appear on the SERPs. Local SEO is always a necessary component of a comprehensive localization strategy.
Test measure, get feedback, and improve
As with any initiative to enhance your website, you will need to test the performance of your localized website to see what’s working and what still needs work.
Consider implementing surveys to gather user feedback on their experience with your website or using heatmaps to track how users interact with your web pages. You can also monitor data such as:
- Page rankings in the search result pages
- Number of page views
- Time spent on the page
- User demographics
In the vast majority of cases, users will also type their search terms in their native tongue. If your website is not localized to match the search terms of your new users. It will merely fail to appear in the SERPs. Local SEO should always be a part of a comprehensive localization strategy.
Conclusion
Make sure to follow the steps and develop an unbeatable strategy in order to link your business with your audience using a clever content localization strategy. The procedure will take some time, so be patient and confidently tackle every obstacle, and your business will soon be known internationally.
For this, you need to take the assistance of the best digital marketing company and if you are looking for one then welcome to Stellar Digital the best digital marketing company in Delhi NCR and Gurgaon providing exceptional content localization and digital marketing services. Reach us out contact@stellardigital.in
