Companies large and small use websites to disseminate information, extend brand or product awareness, expand customer reach, and penetrate new markets, domestically and internationally. Websites help businesses to succeed, especially if they utilize online marketing.

The Internet has given small and big businesses more opportunities to compete. The web and the number of digital marketing platforms enable marketers to reach potential clients across the globe who might be looking for other services and products. People who are might be interested in any specific product could be exposed to products easily.

But since not all people speak English, it is vital for websites to carefully look into translating all their corporate websites and marketing materials into languages that their clients and target consumers speak.

Translating a website does present some problems because it can take time to complete. Aside for the translation of the written text, other elements need translation as well, such as audio files, video files, images, and other content that are available on the site.

Website Translation

To translate your website efficiently and effectively, you should do some background work. You have to identify your target consumers as well as your corporate clients. You need various statistics, such as demographics, languages choices, and other valuable cultural, socio-economic, and even political information that you can use not only for translating your website, but also to improve your marketing efforts.

If the concept of translating a website is new to you, then you should know the benefits your business will get from it.

In today’s digital business environment, it does not matter to which industry sector you belong. Your website must provide information about your company, products and services, and possibly, industry news. As a business owner, you have a deep understanding of your industry niche, having built your enterprise from the ground up. You understand your local customers and can cater to their needs and desires.

As you grow bigger, your customer base grows bigger as well. You attract clients outside your country. For you to concentrate on other corporate duties, it is better to hire a marketing team or a marketing agency to cater to the needs and preferences of new customer bases.

Why Should You Translate Your Website?

Translating your corporate website is a vital choice. If you are seriously thinking of entering the global market, it is your responsibility to formally prepare your website for an international audience. This means that you should plan to translate your website before you launch your company globally.

One of the things that can help you finalize your website translation is the behavior of the global online population. According to the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2019 Facts and Figures report, there are 4.1 billion internet users worldwide in 2019. In the same period, global internet penetration was 53.6 percent. Another reason for you to translate your website is the fact that internet users grow by 10 percent annually.

The same report states that many countries in the world are reaching Internet saturation, although many more countries have large offline populations. Africa’s Internet user level is the lowest, whereas Europe has the highest number of Internet users.

A gender gap still exists, with 58 percent of males using the Internet, compared to 48 percent of women. But the good thing is that mobile phone subscriptions continue to rise as well as mobile broadband subscriptions. On the other hand, fixed mobile subscriptions are steadily rising, while there is a decline in fixed phone line subscriptions.

As of April 30, 2019, the top ten languages on the Internet are as follows:

• English
• Chinese
• Spanish
• Arabic
• Portuguese
• Indonesian/Malaysian
• French
• Japanese
• Russian
• German

This will give you an idea of which languages to choose when translating your website.

Even if English is still the top online language, you have to realize that customers are likely to make online purchases from websites that provide information in their language. And according to several surveys, more than 70 percent of international consumers patronize websites that are in a local language.

Outside of statistics, several practical reasons will convince you to translate your website.

• You will be able to sell your products and services to foreign markets
• You can sustain and grow your business as much as you want
• You will have a greater competitive advantage
• It is an excellent way to support your brand
• You increase the conversion rate of visitors to your site
• Your global SEO and user experience increases
• You improve the credibility and trust of your brand
• Your company complies with the regulations and laws of the foreign markets

How to Translate Your Site

One of the first things you should do is find the right translation partner to handle your requirements. Choose the translation services provider that is willing to work with you from the beginning. You need an accurate translation of your website, using the services of a native-speaking professional translator that is knowledgeable in your industry and an expert in your specific sector.

Your marketing team plays a big role in the translation of your website content. They understand the local markets and have the statistics and analyses to determine what they need to include on the website. More than translation, it is better to prepare your website for localization, which goes beyond translation. Localization means adapting the website to the preferences of the market.

Your marketing team should work closely with the website development team and the translation or localization team. Doing so will see to it that each group can establish their responsibilities and closely monitor each group’s tasks.

Translating Your Web Pages

Translating the web pages sees to it that you gain a broader market reach. You do not have to translate your web pages into all possible languages. You can identify the specific languages that your target audiences speak. If you have plans for future expansion, then it is important to prepare for it.

Another thing you should do is to prepare your content for translation. This means writing neutral content that will be easier to translate in any language. Avoid specific words and phrases that may not have direct translations in other languages, or references to regional issues and preferences.

Turn Your Website Into a Global Force Through Translation – Contact Us

Not every corporation provides a multilingual website. Beat your competitors to it and give eTranslation Services a call. We will be more than happy to work with you in translating your corporate website into the languages of your choice. We have a network of professional native speakers who are experts in different industry sectors. Tell us what you need and let’s discuss. You can easily reach us through (800) 882-6058 or send us an email at [email protected] if you prefer.