Localization

Localization FAQs

• What are Localization services, and how are they different from Translation services?

  Localization services focus on adapting content to make it more suitable for a specific target audience within a particular region. While translation services focus only on converting content from one language to another, localization services modify it to appeal to their audience's cultural and linguistic nuances. With localization services, the tone and style of the text may also be modified to comply with local laws, regulations, and cultural systems. Aside from the overall context of the content, other design elements such as graphics, colors, and symbols may also be tailored to make them culturally appropriate.

• Why is localization important for global businesses?

  Localization is essential for businesses that want to expand into global markets. It helps ensure that the business connects with the local audience more meaningfully. Ultimately, it leads to customer loyalty and increased market share and revenue. By adapting content to the local language and culture, businesses can communicate and engage with customers more effectively. They are able to build awareness for their brand in new markets and establish themselves as trusted companies in a global marketplace. Moreover, they enhance customer experiences that lead to high satisfaction and loyalty.

• What types of content can be localized?

  Practically any type of content can be localized. Localization services cover website content, marketing materials, social media content, videos, mobile applications, e-learning materials, legal documents, user interfaces, and many more. In general, service providers localize both cultural content and functional content. Design elements, graphics, icons, symbols, humor, idioms, and others are adapted to societal codes in the region. Formats of dates, times, telephone numbers, weights, measurements, and other functional information are also tailored to specific geographical references.

• What is the process for localizing my content?

  The process for localizing your content varies depending on the type of content, the target audience, and the level of localization required. Also, localization service providers may employ processes that are unique to them. Working with a professional translation and localization service provider ensures your content is localized effectively and efficiently. Generally, localizing content begins with identifying your audience, auditing your content, and developing a localization plan. Once a plan is in place, the localization service provider localizes the content and then reviews and tests it before publishing. The localized content is also monitored and updated when necessary to keep it up-to-date and relevant.

• Do you offer machine translation or only human translation for localization?

  On Fiverr, localization service providers offer both machine translation and human translation. Using both methods in conjunction makes the localization process faster, more efficient, and more accurate. Machine translation can be used as a first step to get a general understanding of the content or to translate large volumes of content quickly. Then this is followed by human translation to remediate errors and inaccuracies, ensuring that the translation is accurate and culturally appropriate. By combining both methods, a high level of accuracy and quality can be maintained throughout the localization process.

• What languages can be localized?

  Localization can be done for almost any language. The most common ones include English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, German, and other languages widely used in the global marketplace. On Fiverr, hundreds of freelancers offer localization services in multiple languages. Before looking for one, identify your target audience and determine which languages are most relevant. Then look for a localization service provider who specializes in localizing those languages.