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What You Should Know About Localization of Your Website
by Terralíngua      Posted in  January 4, 2013
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When you cater to a wide audience scattered in different regions of the world, having a generic website alone may not be a good idea. A generic website may be in English, but not all your customers in all regions would be comfortable with the language. So to make sure your message reaches the intended people, and creates an impact too, it is important to consider localization of website.

What is website localization?

Localization of a website refers to the process of modifying the website elements to make it usable, accessible and socially acceptable to a certain section of people. Considering that around 90% of the people in the world are not native English speakers, and are more comfortable accessing information in their own language, Software Localization and translation of the web content to meet your target audience’s needs is more than important.

Website localization and translation become all the more important if your company is looking to expand its market in different countries. This is where a reputed translation agency can help you.

The process of localization

The process of localizing your company’s websites includes analysis, translation of content, using appropriate images, adjusting the layout and navigation etc.

Content translation

This is one of the main steps involved in localization of a website. The best way to deal with this is to look for a professional translation company that offers linguistic quality assurance. Whether you translate English into Spanish or any other language, the content should be meaningful and culturally correct.

Use appropriate images

What is accepted in one culture may not be accepted in another. So, it is necessary to check the suitability of the images you have on your website, when you are localizing your site for a particular region.

Navigation and layout

The navigation and layout of the site should also be considered when you localize it. Placement of content, images and navigation options from left to right, top to bottom etc. should be adjusted as per the culture and habits of the audience you are catering to.

Symbols and colors

Currency symbols, numbers and other icons like houses, vehicles etc. should be adjusted considering the culture. For example, symbols that are accepted in the west may not be taken well in the Middle East, or the Far East. The colors you use on your webpages should also be adjusted. While the colors you choose may or may not make a huge difference, choosing the ideal colors, depending on how they are perceived in the region, can make your message clearer.

Once the site is ready, you also need to test it for usability. The best way to go about it is to hire a professional company that offers comprehensive website localization services. Please visit our website if you would like to know more about the services that Terralíngua can offer to cover your localization and translation needs.

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