Localization is the process of adapting a product or content to a specific market or locale. When done well, localization can help you better connect with your target audience, resulting in increased engagement and ROI.
But there are 4 questions to ask before starting a localization project. In this blog post, we’ll dive into those questions and help you get started on your localization journey.
Before starting a localization project, you should ask yourself:
1. What are my localization goals?
2. What content do I need to localize?
3. Who is my target audience?
4. What resources do you have available for localization?
Asking these questions upfront will help ensure that your localization project is successful. Let’s dive into each question in more detail.
1. What are my Localization Goals?
The first step is to determine your localization goals. When embarking on a localization project, it’s important to take a step back and consider the primary goals and objectives.
Do you want to increase brand awareness in new markets? Drive more traffic to your website? Boost sales of your products or services?
Once you clearly understand the purpose of localization, you can develop strategies and tactics aligned with your overall business goals.
2. What Content do I Need to Localize?
The next step is to identify the content you need to localize. This will vary depending on your business and goals, but some common examples include website content, marketing collateral, product documentation, and user manuals.
Not all content is created equal, and not all content needs to be localized. When deciding which content to localize, start by evaluating the most important pieces for achieving your desired outcome.
For example, if you want to increase brand awareness, you’ll want to focus on localized versions of your website and social media profiles.
On the other hand, if you’re trying to drive more traffic to your website, you’ll want to focus on optimizing your site for international search engines. Once you’ve determined which content is most important, you can begin developing a plan for how best to localize it.
3. Who is my Target Audience?
It’s important to understand who your target audience is before starting a localization project.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to think carefully about who your target audience is before localizing your content.
Are you trying to reach international customers? If so, what language do they speak? What country do they live in? What are their cultural values and norms?
Knowing the answers to these questions will help ensure that your localized content is relevant and resonates with your intended audience. This will help you tailor your content to their needs and ensure it’s properly localized for their market.
There are some ways to identify your target audience such as;
> One way to identify your target audience is to conduct a market research study. This will help you understand who your target customers are, what language they speak, and where they live.
> Another way to identify your target audience is to use online tools like Google AdWords and Facebook Audience Insights. These tools allow you to target specific demographics, interests, and behaviours.
> Finally, it’s essential to consider your existing customers. Who are they? What language do they speak? Where do they live? Understanding your current customer base can help you identify potential new markets to expand into.
4. What Resources do you have available for Localization?
Before starting a localization project, it’s important to consider the resources you have available.
Do you have in-house staff who can help with the project? If not, are you able to hire outside help?
Are there any existing translated materials that can be used as a starting point? Or are you going to take professional translation services? What budget do you have available for localization?
The answers to these questions will help you determine what’s possible and what’s not. This will help ensure that your localization project is successful.
Localization can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, so it’s important to make sure you have the necessary manpower and financial resources available before getting started. If possible, try to allocate dedicated staff members or budget specifically for localization efforts.
And if you don’t have the internal resources available, don’t hesitate to seek external partners who can help with everything from strategy development to translation and implementation.
Following are the few resources that are essentially required for localization.
1. Time: Localization can be time-consuming, so it’s important to ensure you have the necessary manpower available before getting started.
2. Money: Localization can also be expensive, so it’s necessary to have a dedicated budget for localization efforts.
3. Expertise: If you don’t have the internal resources available, seek out external partners who can help with everything from strategy development to translation and implementation.
4. Technology: Localization requires specialized software and tools, so it’s important to ensure you have the necessary technology in place before getting started.
5. Translation: Finally, localization requires accurate and high-quality translation. Make sure you have a team of experienced translators familiar with the target language and culture. In this way, you don’t require translation services from external sources.
You must determine the format of your localized content. Will it be a website, app, or something else? Knowing the answer to this question will help you choose the right localization partner and ensure a smooth process.
Now that you know the 4 questions to ask before starting a localization project, you’re on your way to success. Just remember to keep your goals in mind, understand your target audience, and choose the right format for your localized content. With these tips, you’ll be sure to create a localization strategy that works for you and your business.
Conclusion
Localization can be a powerful tool for boosting engagement and driving ROI—but only if done correctly. By taking the time to answer these four key questions before starting a localization project, you can set yourself up for success and ensure that your efforts are aligned with your overall business goals.
If you can answer these four questions, localization will be a much smoother process and you’ll be more likely to achieve your desired business outcomes.
Remember that not all content needs to be localized, so start by identifying the most important pieces for reaching your target audience. With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to successful localization.
