As it stands, China is currently the world’s largest mobile app market, accounting for nearly 50% of downloads across Android and iOS. So if you haven’t considered mobile app localization you’re likely capping your own business growth.
But before you jump into action and hire a mobile app localizer, you should ensure that they’re qualified for the job. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about mobile app localizers and the skills they need for the job.
So let’s dive straight into what mobile app localizers are.
What are mobile app localizers?
Mobile app localizers ensure that a mobile application is better suited to the end-users. Around the globe, there are many different cultures, languages, conventions, and nuances so to engage users across the world mobile apps need tweaking.
Mobile app localization commonly occurs when a business’s target market speaks another language. But localization isn’t only about translation. To give a mobile application a local, authentic feel, mobile app localizers will modify many aspects of the app. Some of these aspects include using local models for imagery, converting currencies and measurements, and removing culturally insensitive material.
Overall, a mobile app localizer modifies the content of an application so that it abides by legal, cultural, religious, and regional requirements.
What qualifications do mobile app localizers need?
When it comes to mobile app localizers, the necessary qualifications will vary depending on the role and responsibilities. A common qualification for mobile app localizers is a Bachelor’s degree specializing in another language or in a particular field such as finance.
There are also certificates that mobile app localizers can obtain to bolster their credibility, such as this software-specific one from the University of Washington.
What skills do mobile app localizers need?
Even if a mobile app localizer does have related qualifications on their resume, nothing prepares them for success more than their underlying skills. Through our experience here at Day Translations, we believe that there are five key skills that mobile app localizers need—number three is particularly important!
1. Research skills and critical thinking
Often, mobile app localizers possess high-level language skills rather than in-depth industry knowledge. This factor requires app localizers to have polished research and critical thinking skills. They need to be able to understand the nuances of each app they localize and pick apart each element so that they can better fit the new audience.
2. Tech skills
Mobile app localizers need to be tech-savvy, not only to understand the apps they localize but to use software in the localization process as well. CAT (Computer-aided Translation) tools are becoming more and more common in the localization industry. These tools speed up mobile app localization and help localizers avoid mistakes.
So if you want your project completed accurately and on time, make sure they use CAT tools.
3. Empathy
Empathy is a crucial skill for mobile app localizers because they need to put the target market first in their localizations. To ensure high-quality outcomes, localizers need to put themselves in the shoes of the intended customers. From understanding cultural and religious implications to simply using familiar slang and expressions, localizers always need to think about what the end users’ would like to see.
4. Time management
Localization is often the final aspect of launching an app to a new audience, so it’s important that localizers use their time efficiently. Mobile app localizers should be able to plan for and manage the many different stages of localization. It’s important that each step is given enough attention. Otherwise, you could end up with a substandard outcome.
5. Detail-oriented
With all the different factors that go into mobile app localization, it’s integral that your localizer pays attention to the details. Being detail-oriented is particularly important for maintaining the local authenticity of your app because without maintaining cohesive content customer engagement may suffer.
Make sure your mobile app localizer has these skills
To ensure the success of your mobile app localization it’s important that your localizer has these five key skills. Without them you may end up with a mobile app that isn’t optimized for your end-user, leading to low engagement and sales, and increased churn.
Here at Day Translations, it’s our mission to ensure that doesn’t happen. Get a free quote for your mobile app localization project today.