If you didn’t realize before, let’s just make it clear before we go any further; the Holiday Season is upon us. This simply means that festivities are going to be in full swing, there’s going to be lots of shopping and of course, much of this is going to take place online. And it also means there has never been a better time for translating and localizing your website!
So what does this mean for local businesses, eCommerce, and their international markets? It means it’s time to prepare and brace yourselves for online shoppers and the rush with global sales. One great way to prepare is to get all your online platforms, including your website ready. This is where translating and localizing your website comes in.
In this post, Day Translations is going to discuss the importance of translating and localizing your website and how it will benefit your business just in time for the holiday season. So let’s get right into it.
Why is Translating and Localizing Your Website Important?
Building a strong foundation for the expansion of your business within an international market is what localization is all about. You’re going local to reach your global market.
Through localization, you do much more than translate your website and other products, services or platforms into the local language of your target market. Instead, you pay close attention to how the content is crafted, the images used and the tone of your message to ensure that it resonates in the best way with your local users.
It’s always best to get someone who is an excellent translator within your target area to also help with your localization efforts. That way, you’ll be able to guarantee the best performance for all your localized content.
When done in the best way possible, localization improves website performance and fosters sales growth of up to or beyond 200%.
The Importance of Translation
Without translation, localization, for the most part, won’t be possible. This is because website translation and localization go hand in hand when creating and adapting a new product within an international market.
Finding the right translator can do wonders, in a positive way for your localization project especially when entering new markets. Doing a direct translation from one language to another is only the first step. And honestly, machine translation just isn’t a viable option. Localization comes in to add some life and flavor to the process. This is where local slang and idioms are added as well as all necessary cultural references and even jokes come in to improve the overall localization process as well as your marketing efforts.
Making Use of Localization During the Holiday Season
By now, you better understand the importance of translating and localizing your website. Now, it’s now time for us to look at how we can make the best use of localized content and online platforms for the holiday season.
Pay Close Attention to Your Branding
Your brand is your business’s identity. With this in mind, your brand must be a true reflection that you get your target market. The best way to do this is by allowing your customers to see their lifestyle being reflected through the brand. They must be able to relate.
Therefore, however they celebrate the holidays, ensure that your branding is on point for the season in the same manner.
Put the Local Culture First
What are the cultural and religious traditions that are practiced during the holiday season within your target market? Find out what is culturally relevant within this specific market and tap into it. Nothing speaks more volume than when consumers are able to relate to your business/brand.
Offer a Smooth Shopping Process
Online shopping has become standard all over the world. With this in mind, making all relevant information visible and easily accessible is going to make a world of difference and improve, significantly, the online shopping experience.
Your prices, sales, bundles, and deals for example must all be clearly stated. The language must also be on point and be able to be clearly understood by everyone. Checking out and shipping must also be up to par.
Invest in the Right Images
Consumers shop with their eyes. That said, your images must also be localized to fit in with all the festivities that are taking place. If your part of a market that doesn’t have snow within their region then having snow images for your Christmas campaign won’t do the trick. Ensure your use of images accurately communicate the marketing message you wish to communicate.
Keep Everything Updated
Content optimization and the use of keywords are slowly but surely getting the recognition they truly deserve. Keeping your content relevant and to date across all your platforms helps maintain the visibility of your brand and eventually will also help to convert into sales.
In Conclusion…
Translating and localizing your website must always be at the forefront of your mind. Especially when doing business within international markets. With the holiday/Christmas season fast approaching, be sure to use these tips we just shared to give your localized market the best experience for the season.