From video games to eLearning content to marketing campaigns—localization can step in and make it possible to thrive in a new target market. No one localization project has the same exact scope, needs, or budget, and how much a localization project will cost can depend on quite a few factors.
Keep reading to get a better idea of which factors can influence the cost of a localization project.
Factors that Influence Cost
It can help to keep the following factors in mind when planning the budget for a localization project.
- Localization professional. If you’re looking for localization services online, you’re likely to find many different professionals willing to help, but you will also find their rates can vary widely. This is because each person has unique academic backgrounds and expertise and therefore the cost of their services will probably vary depending on their training and what their specialty is. If you consider hiring an in-house team or partnering with a Language Service Provider, the cost can also change. You may also decide to rely on machine translation which can be less expensive than hiring a human, but doesn’t usually deliver as high of quality end product.
Whether you decide to utilize machine translation, freelancers, an in-house team, or a language service provider, make sure you’re comparing the same type of service.
- Content type. Certain types of content are more expensive to translate and localize. For example, medical content is likely to cost much more than lifestyle content. That being said, content that requires a creative touch can be more expensive as it also requires a high level of research and it can be more challenging to localize creative content in a way that will appeal to the new target audience. Some types of content are naturally more expensive to translate than others.
- Localization asset creation. Taking the time to create localization assets such as a style guide and glossary/term base can be an initial financial investment up front, but can improve the quality of a project and can help you save costs down the line if it becomes necessary to fix localization issues such as terminology inconsistencies.
- Target market and number of languages involved. If a business wants to enter a new country that only speaks one core language, it will be a lot less expensive for them to localize their content and products than it would if they enter a new market where it’s common for multiple languages or dialects to be spoken. If the latter occurs, you will have to hire multiple localization experts who can address the different language needs.
- Project timeframe. How long a localization specialist has to work on the project can impact the cost. When a client needs something very urgently, a rush fee or higher rate is usually applied.
- Size of localization team. Depending on the type of content, it may be necessary to hire a translator, editor, and proofreader, as well as a DTP specialist to work on your project. If you work with an LSP, they will manage this team so that you don’t have to worry about recruiting or assigning the work. However, a project management fee will likely apply. Having multiple professionals involved can help improve the quality throughout the project, but can also result in higher overall costs.
The Takeaway
While spending more money on a localization project can lead to higher quality results, there are ways you can optimize your spending to ensure you’re receiving a quality end product that aligns with your budget. Speak to your in-house localization team or the outside experts you want to hire about what you can do to save money on your upcoming project without sacrificing quality.
