Copyright: file404 / 123RF Stock Photo
There are sites that serve their purpose better when they have localized versions. They tend to reach more audiences with the help of website localization as the language barrier is addressed. On the other hand, there are also those that no longer require website translation because doing so does not really yield significant improvements in audience reach.
The following are most common types of websites that are recommended to have localized versions. They particularly appeal to or are aimed at reaching audiences who use different languages so it’s only logical to have their text contents translated.
1.Ecommerce Sites and Sites of Companies that Offer Services Globally
Naturally, online sellers that seek to sell products to potential customers in different parts of the world should consider having their contents translated. The same goes for multinational companies that offer goods or services, or both. Ecommerce translation or website localization in general is particularly highly advantageous in the fields of life science and medicine, finance and banking, information technology, and legal services.
Potential customers especially in countries with minimal exposure to English media will automatically ditch websites that are not presented in the language they are using. Why will they even browse a site they find difficult to understand? If you want to reach these audiences, you have to first make sure that they understand what you have in your website. Some years ago, the European Commission published a “Eurobarometer” report that revealed the site language preferences of European Union members. Expectedly, around 9 out of 10 people in the European Union preferred browsing websites in their own language. The scenario wouldn’t be too different in Asia and the rest of the non-English speaking regions of the world.
2.Fansites
Those who set up fansites for their favorite international artists, movies, shows, or literary works don’t really need the advice to have their sites translated in the local language. Fans of Kpop groups in China and Japan, for example, create websites that serve as tributes to their idols using their respective local languages. While it is true that many fans go out of their way to learn the language spoken by their idols, it is always better taking the initiative of doing web content translation. Fansite localization is particularly recommended when introducing up and coming artists, shows, or literary works to new audiences. To have a truly dependable international fanbase, it greatly helps targeting audiences by making sure that the language barrier is eliminated.
3.Sites of International Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit organizations (NGO) with operations that extend to different parts of the world are expected to have their websites translated in the local languages of the places where they have activities. This is not only to appeal to local volunteers; it also helps in streamlining operations and in more clearly communicating the vision and intentions of the NGOs. It’s not enough to have a website in English, the so-called international language. Especially for advocacy groups, it’s important to succinctly convey information and encouragement by using the languages the intended audiences are more familiar with.
4.Travel and Tourism Sites
This one’s a no-brainer. Of course, if you are promoting your travel destinations to foreigners, you can’t expect them to use the same language you use. You need to appeal to them using their languages. One excellent example of this is creating travel and tourism sites intended for the growing number of Chinese travelers. Not many Chinese understand or know how to read the English language, let alone other less popular foreign languages. To appeal to them, it’s important use the language they use. It’s not enough enticing them with photos or videos of the destinations or tourist spots. You also have to present information in words using a language intelligible to them, especially when it come to important details such as the prices, policies, and itineraries.
5. Sites Aimed at Crowdfunding or Crowdsourcing
Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and other similar sites help entrepreneurs and individuals in making the ideas happen through crowdfunding. However, most of them are entirely based on the English language. If you want to solicit support from other potential fund providers who don’t speak English, it’s only logical to have a localized version of what you have on your Kickstarter or Indiegogo page. The same goes when it comes to idea generation. If you want to gather ideas from the crown on the web, it helps reaching out to them using their language. Certainly, the best ideas and (financial) support don’t only come from people who speak English.
These are just five of the many types of websites that can be greatly made more functional and effective by website translation. As they are created to be more appealing and relatable to the intended audiences, it’s advisable presenting them in different local language versions. If you can think of other kinds of sites that ought to be compulsorily translated, be sure to drop a comment below.