Category: Localization

Why You Need a Localization Partner and Not Just a Localization Provider
17/09/2024

Why You Need a Localization Partner and Not Just a Localization Provider

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on Why You Need a Localization Partner and Not Just a Localization Provider

If you have a localization project in your pipeline, it’s important you understand that finding a localization partner—not just a localization provider—is key to your project success.  

A localization provider (also known as a localization vendor) is a supplier of professional services. Their primary business goal is to encourage more companies to purchase their services. This type of relationship is not collaborative — a vendor will sell you what you want, even if you do not need it or will try to sell you “up” by encouraging you to invest in technology or services that will not provide a return on your investment.  

A partnership on the other hand, is a relationship that is built over time with solid investment from both parties. As partners, both companies share a vision that requires proactive engagement and the implementation of long-term strategies that are beneficial to both parties.

Ready to find your localization partner? Keep reading for more insight into how to find a localization partner and why partnership matters so much. 

How to Find the Right Localization Partner  

Finding the right localization team for your business may not be an easy task. There are multiple aspects you need to consider to make sure they are the perfect match for you and can form a valuable partnership. If you are thinking about adding localization to your growth strategy, then you better look for someone that is going to stay with you for the long run and grow along with you.

Looking for a localization vendor based on just the budget allocated for a specific project may be risky, as you’ll have to start over when the next localization project arises. Instead, having a partner who will work with you to analyze the target markets and create a solid globalization strategy will ensure that your localization efforts bring the desired results.  

Consistency Leads to Partnership 

Working with the same project management team and linguistic team every time you have a localization need will prevent you from having to explain your processes and preferences over and over again. Not to mention, working with the same partner will impact the overall quality of the localization and it will ensure consistency throughout.

If you have a localization partner, you will work with someone who is committed to your success. A true partner will watch out for your best interests. They will also advise you on how best to proceed in certain markets, how you can save money with the right technology and processes, and ultimately how to succeed internationally. A good localization partner puts the interest of their client ahead of their own interests and is someone who will strive to innovate with you while creating solutions to pain points and problems.

A solid localization partner will be someone who you can plan with long-term, allowing you to focus clearly on long-term goals—even if it means giving up a fast and easy sale up front. Localization partners act as colleagues, steering you toward technologies and services that are not only best for your current financial and business goals, but will provide support for a stronger future.

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4 Tips to Improve The Efficiency of Your Localization Workflow
03/09/2024

4 Tips to Improve The Efficiency of Your Localization Workflow

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on 4 Tips to Improve The Efficiency of Your Localization Workflow

Localization is an essential part of business growth and global reach. Regardless of the size of your company, proper localization ensures that your message gets across to potential customers around the world in a clear and effective manner. However, with so many different stages involved—from deciding which content to translate to rolling out localized versions—it can be difficult to manage the process efficiently without overflowing resources or missing crucial steps. 

Keep reading for four tips on how you can streamline and optimize your translation workflow for maximum impact.  

Consider Automating Key Processes 

If you were to analyze your current localization workflow, you’d probably find that a lot of time is usually spent in manual processing. You should consider automating processes wherever it makes sense. Translation management tools are a great example of technology that can really come in handy. They ensure that your localization team stays effective, organized and connected. It’s easy to upload content and make all your modifications instantly, so you won’t experience any disruption in the workflow. Additionally, you can publish any content that is ready immediately, as well as manage more than one team at a go. Through this software, you will have easy access to various vital data anytime and from any device. All this information and more are conveniently stored in one place for quick reference. 

Set Up a Process for Queries & Feedback  

This may not seem obvious at first, but you need to have a process in place to handle queries and feedback efficiently. If there isn’t a clear process to handle the queries the translators may have for you during the project, or the feedback that you may have and needs to be implemented, the whole localization process can be delayed. We recommend creating centralized query sheets and a process for feedback implementation.   

Continue to Monitor and Improve   

Localization workflows are a constantly changing entity, especially in the modern world of business growth and advancement. As many aspects can come into play such as the scope of work, language pairs needed, formats, and volume, it is crucial to monitor how efficient the current workflow is performing to ensure success. This involves confirming that the quality is maintained and that new tools available for use are being properly investigated for how well they might mesh with or simplify existing components of the workflow. Thus, an up-to-date knowledge of both current and emerging software is necessary in order to maintain a streamlined workflow which offers maximum efficiency. 

Team up with an Experienced Localization Partner  

We can’t stress this enough, having the right partner matters. An experienced localization partner is able to design a workflow from scratch so that it meets your specific requirements and needs. They are also able to quickly adapt a workflow to accommodate changing needs.  
A great localization partner will be proactive in suggesting workflow tweaks that reduce time or money, or that at the very least improve the general experience people on the team are having with this workflow.

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Navigating a Multilingual Localization Project: Key Considerations and Tips
26/08/2024

Navigating a Multilingual Localization Project: Key Considerations and Tips

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on Navigating a Multilingual Localization Project: Key Considerations and Tips

Embarking on a multilingual localization project can be an exciting but complex endeavor for companies expanding their reach into new markets. The process involves numerous considerations, from finding skilled linguists to managing multiple languages and cultures. In this blog post, we explore essential factors to keep in mind when undertaking a multilingual localization project, offering insights to help you achieve high-quality results and streamline the process. 

Understanding Language Costs and Expertise  

When translating content into multiple languages, it’s important to be aware that translation rates can vary depending on factors such as language pair availability and subject matter expertise. Hiring professional translators who specialize in the required fields ensures accurate and culturally appropriate translations. To optimize your project’s investment, consider comparing translation rates and exploring cost-saving strategies.  

Finding the Right Talent 

One of the most significant challenges in tackling a multilingual localization project is finding the right talent. The complexity lies in identifying linguists who possess the necessary language skills, cultural knowledge, and localization expertise. Evaluating the qualifications of these linguists becomes particularly challenging when you lack proficiency in the target languages, making it difficult to gauge the quality and accuracy of the localized content. Proper research, collaboration with language experts, and leveraging reputable language service providers can help address these challenges and ensure the selection of qualified linguists for successful multilingual localization. 

Effective Project Management 

Managing a multilingual localization project requires meticulous coordination due to multiple stakeholders, deadlines, and potential time zone differences. Establishing a plan to optimize overlapping working hours and strategies to address issues when linguistic teams are offline is crucial for project success. Language service providers employ experienced project managers who handle every aspect of the project, reducing unnecessary stress. They leverage Translation Management Systems (TMS), task lists, spreadsheets, and other tools to ensure seamless project tracking.  

Efficient Handling of Queries 

During the translation process, linguists may have questions to help ensure accuracy and context. Implementing an online query sheet centralizes all inquiries, avoiding repetitive emails and providing linguists with easy access to information. This streamlined approach saves time and promotes efficient communication for the translation team. 

Maintaining Quality and Consistency 

Something to bear in mind as well is how to manage quality and consistency when you’re working with multiple languages and vendors. While we won’t get into detail about this here because it may be too early in the process to worry about that, if this is a concern for you right now, we suggest you take a look at this blog post for helpful insight. 

The Takeaway 

It may seem daunting, but armed with the knowledge of these key considerations, you can approach a multilingual localization project with confidence. Understanding factors such as language costs, working with expert linguists, effective project management, and streamlined communication can significantly enhance the outcome. To make the process smoother, consider partnering with a localization expert who can assess your project’s specific needs and provide invaluable guidance. With the right support, your multilingual localization project can successfully reach diverse audiences and unlock new growth opportunities.

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What Metrics Can Help Measure Localization ROI
13/08/2024

What Metrics Can Help Measure Localization ROI? 

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on What Metrics Can Help Measure Localization ROI? 

To help expand their business throughout our modern, global world, countless companies turn to translation and localization to help them successfully enter new markets. While some stakeholders may doubt whether these efforts are worth the cost and time commitment, not localizing content, products, and services to a new target market can be detrimental to the success of a launch. 

One way to assure stakeholders that localization is worth the investment is to present them with cold hard numbers that measure the return on investment (ROI) the company is getting after localization occurs. It can be quite challenging to fully prove ROI for localization, but there are some Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that can be valuable to examine.  

Let’s take a closer look at the KPIs that can help companies better understand their ROI, as well as which metrics aren’t as valuable as they seem at first glance. 

Ignore Metrics Specific to Localization 

First things first, when trying to establish the ROI on a localization project, it’s important to forget the popular localization metrics of the past. These metrics aren’t as helpful as they seem at first glance and while they may help you evaluate the quality of a localization project, they won’t be able to tell the full story your stakeholders are looking for. 

  • Number of localized words per language 
  • Number of localization errors per language 
  • Average turnaround time 
  • On-time delivery rate 

While the localization team should be looking closely at these metrics to measure efficiency, other stakeholders won’t be able to take much away after reviewing them.  

Common KPIs for Tracking Localization ROI 

The key to finding KPIs that will provide the insight you need is to specifically choose ones that are unique to your industry, company, and product or service. The following KPIs are simply suggestions to get you started. You’ll need to choose the ones that make the most sense for your business, and that align with your goals.  

Some of the most common KPIs for tracking localization ROI include, 

  • Sudden or consistent website traffic increases from a region with a recently localized language 
  • Increased website session length 
  • Decreased bounce rate 
  • Conversion rates on localized landing pages 
  • An increase in market share in a region with a recently localized language 
  • Sudden spikes in lead generation  
  • Usage rates of your product in different markets 
  • Larger number of support tickets per language 

It is a good idea to track the customer experience in the different markets you localized your content and products for. It can also be helpful to conduct a survey to learn more about customer satisfaction and to look for areas where you can improve your localization efforts.  

Patience is Key 

Another important element of localization success to keep in mind is time. Seeing an ROI doesn’t happen overnight. Which is why it can be a good idea to use analytic tools to compare and contrast your KPIs from the period before localizing and the period after. That way, you can see the impact of your efforts over time.  

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4 Tips to Save Money in Localization
02/07/2024

4 Tips to Save Money in Localization 

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on 4 Tips to Save Money in Localization 

Before booking localization services, companies usually allocate a budget for localization services. This budget is something they have to keep an eye on when they’re selecting the localization vendor, as well as once they start sending projects. It’s only logical to want to make the most of that budget, so keep reading for insight into four helpful tips for saving money during a localization project.  

Finalize the Source Content 

First things first, it’s a good idea to double-check that the content you are about to begin localizing is in fact the final version of the content. That way, you won’t have to go back later to make changes when the source material is updated.  

If you send your localization team new content after they begin working, this will lead to spending more money and will extend the localization timeline.  

Prepare a Localization Kit  

It’s true that creating a localization kit is an extra step to take before you start a localization project, but the work you put in upfront can save you money down the road. When you create a thorough localization kit, you give your localization team everything they need to succeed from the start. This helps prevent roadblocks that can cost more money to fix.  

Avoid Manual Processes  

Technology can help you save both time and money. For example, you can use technology to avoid manually exporting and converting files.  

Traditionally, localization involved extracting the content that required translation. It can take hours and possibly even days to collect the required content for a localization project. Once collected, you would transfer that content to a central document—such as a spreadsheet or Word document—and then send it to the translators to work on. 

Once fully translated, you would send this central document to the developers to upload back into the product. This process can be very time-consuming and error-prone. When you use a localization platform, you can do your work in a consolidated place that encourages collaboration and that reduces human errors.  

Employ Experienced Professionals 

All localization projects have varying budgets and it’s important to be mindful of the budget in place. That being said, while it may be tempting to choose the least expensive localization partner, you need to make sure that partner can deliver the quality you’re looking for. When you choose the wrong partner, you risk running into issues such as having to delay your campaign or product launch. You may also spend more time fixing mistakes or may incur fines due to incorrect translations. Not to mention, you risk harming the public perception of your brand. Point being—it’s important to always employ experienced translation professionals.  

The Takeaway 

There are quite a few steps you can take to save money during the localization process all while ensuring you’re working towards a quality end product. It’s important to note that if you are in the midst of a localization project right now, it’s not too late to incorporate some of these tips.  

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How to Build an Internal Localization Team
18/06/2024

How to Build an Internal Localization Team

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on How to Build an Internal Localization Team

Large businesses with international presence usually already have a big and well-established localization team. However, other companies that are just venturing into new markets and do not have a localization team can benefit greatly from building at least a small one. While they will most probably need to hire a localization partner for their localization needs, having a small internal localization team can help them centralize and coordinate the different needs from other departments within the organization and work closely with the localization partner so that their goals are met. 

 
Here’s how you can build an internal localization team that is set up for success from day one.  

Fill the Right Roles 

First things first, you need the right players on your team. 
 

  • Localization Project Manager (LPM)/Program Manager. The most important role on your internal localization team is that of the LPM/Program Manager. While the other roles you’ll need to fill play an important role in a project’s success, the LPM/Program Manager keeps the entire project on track and helps improve communications between internal stakeholders and language providers.  
  • Language lead/lead linguist. The language lead or lead linguist will be the point of contact for all linguistic matters. Some language service providers (LSPs) have their own language lead, but if you have one in your own team, you make sure this person is aligned with your expectations and the needs of your organization, as well as with your organization’s linguistic preferences. When working with different vendors/translators, it’s key to have a person that settles any linguistic matter and can guide the linguists to achieve consistency.  
  • In house reviewer. These individual reviews delivered files and makes sure the expected quality is met and may provide feedback when there are things to fix or if specific instructions were not followed. The LSP may also have a person in charge of reviewing or proofreading the files before delivery, but it’s always good to have someone internally who can double check. 

Look for the Right Qualities 

Your internal localization team needs the following three skills to thrive: 

  • Planning and organization. The many different departments in a company (marketing, HR, legal, finance, etc.) may all need localization services at one point or another. Each department will have projects with unique characteristics, requirements, and deadlines. This is where the planning and organization skills come into play for the LPM, as they need to coordinate all of this with the language service provider. Planning also allows for risk management, which can mean anything from foreseeing potential issues or expectations upfront all the way through plenty of cushion time built into deadlines, so that unexpected occurrences don’t disrupt progress or strain deadlines. In all cases, proper planning often results in less stress and happier clients with top-notch final products. Staying organized is a must to make sure projects run smoothly. Keeping track of all the different aspects that go into a successful localization, such as linguistics, culture, technical details and administration details can be daunting, but it’s important to stay focused.  
  • Technologically savvy. Localization projects are often cutting-edge and continuously evolving, meaning the project managers behind them should be flexible and willing to adapt. Understanding tools such as machine translation engines, term base extraction systems, or software localization platforms is an essential part of localization management in order to lead a successful workflow from start to finish. With the use of modern technologies, the technical skills of project managers can help smooth out processes that may have previously been time consuming for localization teams. Keeping up with emerging tools and coordinating their implementation in the project helps managers ensure a successful project every time. 
  • People management and communication skills. Localization project managers are responsible for leading a team and managing their work with different departments within the client’s organization. It is important to be able to communicate well with other localization specialists and their teams, which can include linguists, software engineers, testers, and desktop publishers, as well as being able to communicate well with the company’s internal stakeholders. Logistics on these projects can become complicated as collaborators may be located in different countries, time zones, and cultures. This can add an extra layer of complexity to the management of team members. For a localization project manager to succeed in this role, it is necessary to have strong people management and communication skills.  

The Takeaway 

Building an internal localization team is one way to ensure that your products and content are accurately translated and culturally relevant. Creating a process and foundation for your team will help them succeed and allow you to focus on other aspects of taking your business global. 

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How Localization Can Play a Role in Good and Not So Good App Reviews
30/04/2024

How Localization Can Play a Role in Good and Not So Good App Reviews

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on How Localization Can Play a Role in Good and Not So Good App Reviews

These days, consumers spend a lot of time on their smartphones and much of that time is spent engaging with apps. Why? Some apps are really fun and some are super convenient. From playing games to checking emails to navigating a new city to ordering food, smartphone apps play a major role in our daily lives.

If an app developer wants to capture the attention of multiple markets (and they stand to gain a lot by doing so), then they need to prioritize localization. Here’s why.

Why localization can boost reach for developers

When you develop an app for a user, you have to do just that — develop the app for their exact needs. It’s only natural a user won’t go out of their way to understand an app that isn’t in their native language.

When you localize your app to the languages spoken in your target markets, you make yourself a stronger competitor in the space and can compete with local developers who designed their app with their local population in mind.

While it can be very tempting for developers to turn to machine translation to make the process of localizing their apps faster and more cost-effective, this usually isn’t the best way to go. Why? App content typically is made up of short strings of text that have little to no context. Machine Translation can struggle to accurately translate this style of content. You need human involvement to translate and test this content effectively.

How localization can influence app reviews

Localizing your app helps improve the user experience and that can lead to much stronger app reviews. Understandably, if someone struggles to understand and navigate an app due to a language divide, the true quality of the app won’t even be taken into account. A frustrated user who walks away from an app due to a language divide isn’t going to leave a positive review and may even leave a bad one.

You don’t want to sleep on reviews. Having good reviews helps your app rank higher in the app store. Which means when consumers are searching for apps, they’re more likely to find yours.

Important considerations when localizing

When you do start the localization process, there’s some important factors worth keeping in mind.

To start, you don’t want to only focus on the language your target audience speaks. You also want to pay close attention to their culture. You want the content of your app, as well as the form and functionality, to resonate with your audience and to be intuitive to use. This is why it’s a great idea to hire a localization expert who is from the region you’re looking to target, since they have a strong understanding of the local culture.

It’s also important to test your app before you launch. The last thing you want is to receive bad reviews because you didn’t perform a quality assurance test before launching.

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Why is Localization So Important to UI and UX - Portada
12/03/2024

Why is Localization So Important to UI and UX?

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on Why is Localization So Important to UI and UX?

In today’s economy, customer-focused strategies have become the key to success, and companies need to stay ahead of their customers’ needs and expectations if they want to remain competitive. Increasingly, companies are needing translations that speak directly to their customers not just in a language they understand, but in a way that respects their culture and resonates with them. This is why localization is so important to UI and UX.

But What’s the Difference Between UI and UX?

User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) are two closely related but distinct concepts in the field of app development. The main difference between UI and UX is that UI focuses on the surface-level design aspects of an app or online tool, while UX is focused on the overall experience a user has when interacting with a product.

UI design is all about creating attractive, visually appealing elements for users to interact with, such as images, colors, layouts, menus, buttons and more. All of these components make up the interface of an app. A successful UI should be intuitive and easy to use; it should also be aesthetically pleasing to look at. For example, if an app includes lots of buttons or other objects that are difficult to understand or navigate around then its UI likely needs to be improved.

UX design deals with designing a product in order to maximize user satisfaction. It’s not just about making something look good; instead, it’s about creating an enjoyable user experience by taking into account factors such as usability, accessibility and convenience. UX designers strive to create products that not only look great but also provide a smooth and intuitive interaction for users so they can easily achieve their goals. UX designers often consider how users will complete tasks within their products as well as other elements such as branding and marketing strategies that can contribute to user satisfaction.

In conclusion, UI focuses on the visual aspects of an app’s interface while UX focuses on optimizing the overall experience a user has when using a product. Both are essential components of developing apps with high levels of user satisfaction which must work together in tandem for successful app development projects.

The Role of Localization

When it comes to UX, design, culture and language are closely tied together. All of these elements—and the sub elements of each—work together to create an experience that the user is drawn to. As a result, localization can really make or break that experience.

If you have an impressive UI but your localized content overflows because it’s longer than the space available, it will not look pretty. For example, if you’re localizing content into a language that is read right to left, then the whole design will need to be mirrored. The chosen color palette also plays a role, as colors are associated with different meanings in different cultures. If your product includes images or say, emojis, those should also be checked for cultural appropriateness in the target market.

Last, but certainly not least, let’s consider the linguistic quality of the localized content. If what the user reads on screen is not up to par, they may also decide to stop using the product. All these aspects, and many more, impact the usability of a product and may damage the experience of the user.

Conclusion

Localization should never be an afterthought but rather a priority during the product development process. By taking the time to consider all potential adaptations that may be necessary in the future, you’ll save yourself both time and money down the line. The most important thing is to always create a UX that resonates with users, regardless of which market you’re targeting. Have you made localization a priority in your product development process? What tips do you have for creating a UX that resonates with users?

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06/02/2024

Why Demos & Training Sessions with Your Localization Team Matter

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on Why Demos & Training Sessions with Your Localization Team Matter

It’s easy to think that if you need something translated, the first thing you should do is find a translation vendor and simply send them your materials to translate. More often than not, it’s not as simple as that, as there are many aspects that need to be evaluated before the kickoff if you want to properly execute a translation project. For example, an employee handbook about company policies will have very different translation needs than a mobile app or video game.  The complexity of translation projects can vary widely and if what you’re really expecting back is a quality translation that is not only accurate but also effective, then just handing over materials for a translation won’t do the trick.  

The truth is that a lot of thinking and knowledge went into creating your product or materials. To get to the final product you have today, a lot of time and hard work was put into it, and only the people that worked on it and developed this product know all its specificities.  

There are ways you can help your localization team get to know your products. Let’s talk through why you should consider doing demos and training sessions with your localization team.  

Understand Product Functionalities and Specifics 

To start the localization process on the right foot, it’s crucial for the localization team to understand the product’s functionalities and specifics. This is why aside from having a detailed style guide and product description or other specs document, it’s a good idea to have a demo of the product with some training for the localization team. That way, project managers and linguists understand the product and are able to see it “in action”. 

Let’s look at video games as an example. If you can, it’s a good idea to give translators access to the video game or to a beta version of the game so they can familiarize themselves with the mechanics of the game and see the product from the gamer’s perspective. In the case of mobile apps, it’s important for the translators to see what the app does and what the UI and UX look like. When working on its translation, translators may only see loose strings of text with little to no context. If you can give them access to play around in the app or video game, they will be better equipped to provide accurate translations.  

If you cannot grant direct access to the product, you can conduct a training session where you can showcase the different functionalities. This is a great opportunity for people involved in the project to get familiarized with the ins and outs of the product and ask questions about it.  

Consider the Length of Project 

The other reason it can be a very good idea to familiarize your localization team with your products through demos and training sessions is so they are more prepared to assist you with translation needs on an ongoing basis. These types of projects are usually ongoing, as video games and apps usually have regular updates. If you already know that continuous localization will be needed, then you can greatly benefit from working with a team that knows your product as well as you do.  

Another timeline concern to keep in mind is that it is highly advisable that you accommodate for demos and training sessions in the timeline of a localization project as it can really make a difference in the result and take your localization to success. 

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5 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Multimedia Localization Provider
23/01/2024

5 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Multimedia Localization Provider

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on 5 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Multimedia Localization Provider

84% of consumers have made a purchase because of a company’s video. If you look around, it won’t be a surprise that video content is taking over. The success of video content is a great example of the power that multimedia content has to offer. Video content often combines graphics, audio, and text to make a powerful statement.

Given the growing popularity of multimedia content, it makes sense to pursue new customers in new markets using the multimedia content you already created. You know that this style of content performs effectively because you’ve tried it in your local market. While it may seem like a direct translation would make it possible to take this content to a new market, it isn’t quite that simple.

Adaptations are often necessary to connect with a new audience and to ensure that this multimedia content resonates with them. But how do you even get started? You find a multilingual localization provider—but not just any partner. You need to find a partner that will understand your business and your project, and who can help you get to these new markets successfully.

These are some of the aspects worth considering when talking to localization providers and selecting them.

1. Communication

A good localization provider should be ready to learn all about your project and not just explain how they generally do things. Pay attention to how they communicate. In the event you want to pursue a long-term relationship, communicating effectively will be key.

Are they friendly? Are they responsive? Your project and your launch are the most important thing to you, so you want to have the peace of mind that they’ll be there to support you every step of the way.

2. Expertise

In every interaction you have with a potential multimedia localization partner, assess whether they are asking you the right questions. Taking note of the questions they ask you will inform you if they know their stuff and if they have worked on similar projects before.

It’s also a good idea to inquire about their specialty fields. If you are in healthcare, engineering, or any other highly technical industry, you want to make sure the people working on the project are industry experts.

3. Project Management

Once you carefully cover the project characteristics and needs, you should analyze the project scope, workflow, and timeline of the project. You should also inquire as to who will oversee the execution. Will there be a dedicated project manager? Again—the importance of working with someone who is totally devoted to the success of your localization project can’t be stressed enough.

4. Vendor Management

Multimedia localization projects need many professionals to work together towards the success of a project. Translators, transcreators, editors, graphic designers, DTP specialists, video editors, subtitlers, voiceover actors, and voice over directors are just some of the team members you need on your side.

It’s important that you make sure that your localization partner has a pool of talented individuals available for each of the services your project will need. This will help you avoid having to look for more providers for specific services and will guarantee consistency across all your content.

5. Scalability

It’s likely your project will evolve and grow once you start seeing the results of localization. You may want to localize the multimedia content into more languages or may decide to launch new modules of an e-learning course. It’s recommended you assess whether this provider has the capability to scale in volume and target languages and if they can handle other types of content and formats. That way, when you’re ready to take your next steps in the localization journey, they can continue to support you.

The Takeaway

You generally only get one opportunity to launch your product or service in a new market successfully. If it doesn’t go well on that first try, your brand can lose credibility and you may damage your brand’s reputation.

First impressions matter—so make sure that when you select a multimedia localization partner, they give you the confidence that they will guide you to success.

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