Benefits of Website Localization
Maximising profit today involves reaching beyond national markets. Accessing an international customer base is vital if a business wants to expand and participate in international trade.
'Localization' relates to the act of modifying a product to make it both usable and suitable to a target market. Website localization therefore refers to the process of taking an English, western-orientated, website and moulding it to conform to a foreign audience.
The World Wide Web, as its name suggests, is a means by which businesses can reach an international audience. Companies are now recognising that a key step in successfully approaching and selling to international customers is through website localization.
Website localization brings with it numerous benefits. The three main benefits of localization are:
Website localization crosses language barriers
32% of internet users around the world are non-native English speakers. With PC ownership and access to the internet most rapidly increasing outside of North America and Europe, this figure will increase even more. Website localization breaks linguistic barriers and opens doors to other continents.
Companies are now waking up to the fact that English is no longer 'the' international language but one of many including French, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese. With the number of companies now realising the benefits of website localization, there are more pages in foreign languages than ever before. This means if your company's site has not undergone the localization process yet, it will be playing catch up in the future.
Website localization builds credibility
If your company only has a site in English and your competitor in all major languages, which one will gain more credibility? Localization of your website demonstrates that you are a truly international player. In addition, through localization it shows that you understand, value and have respect for that particular country or region.
Website localization increases revenue
Billions of dollars, pounds and francs in potential revenue are lost each year due to lack of investment in website localization. Most internet users will naturally feel more comfortable and understand a company better if their information, products or services are presented in their native language. By undergoing the website localization process you access potentially millions of new customers.
It is clear that website localization is a must for any truly international business. In addition to the technical and programming elements of website localization many cultural factors must be borne in mind.
For example, has language been translated properly and cultural variations in terminology, phrases, metaphors and sayings been taken into consideration? Have symbols, graphics, pictures, colours and general layout been viewed for their cultural applicability?
Website localization is a huge investment and should not be viewed as a straightforward process. When localizing your site, ensure you get the expertise of both a website designer and a cross cultural communications consultancy to ensure your site has maximum impact on the target audience.
Neil Payne is Director of cross cultural communications consultancy http://www.kwintessential.co.uk
Permission is granted to reproduce the article in full on the condition I am made aware of any intention to use it. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk
Mercedes Benz s500 rentals Salem ..
You may already have thought about the following 3 ways... Read More
Consider for a minute my son's website for grass mowing,... Read More
I've been operating two small retail Websites for several years... Read More
Directories are important to your ranking and success with Search... Read More
How to improve conversion rate for your website? How to... Read More
Write it, offer it for free on your site and... Read More
It's a fact. While most link partners are scrupulously honest... Read More
If you are a small business owner with a website,... Read More
Now that you've built your new website you can sit... Read More
Here are some simple and easy tips on how to... Read More
Fresh Web Content Yields Better Search Engine ResultsAll too often,... Read More
I created my first website in 1995 - it was... Read More
In the current competitive climate, tourism-dependant businesses in Coastal Maine... Read More
Once your web site is done, it does you little... Read More
Virtually all website owners concentrate their efforts and energy into... Read More
Many people miss out on some very valuable promotion opportunities... Read More
I've collected some really cool free products for you that... Read More
Web analytics. Don't worry, it's not as boring as it... Read More
How many competitions are there running on the net at... Read More
If you master these nitty-gritty website promotion tactics, you'll be... Read More
Promotion... also known as selling. Not an easy task in... Read More
Ezine publishes have large amount of loyal subscribers. If you... Read More
Submitting your website to the main search engines should be... Read More
Let's face it, getting (and keeping) a good Google... Read More
Interested in boosting your link popularity, raising your Google PR,... Read More
Dowagiac cheap limo service ..Do you know why your website is not making money... Read More
I feel the most effective way to get people to... Read More
What is link popularity?The quantity of links in different websites... Read More
Benefits of Website Localization Maximising profit today... Read More
I created my first website in 1995 - it was... Read More
Most webmasters are familiar with the concept of reciprocal linking.... Read More
How much does an advert in Yellow Pages cost? How... Read More
Once your web site is done, it does you little... Read More
If you desire to succeed in internet promotion, you must... Read More
Do you dream of running your own business? Well, get... Read More
Now that you've built your new website you can sit... Read More
There are many ways to promote your website for free... Read More
1. Selling To Everyone Means You Sell to No OneIf... Read More
Reading the postings in different Newsgroups it becomes clear that... Read More
We have a running joke in our office that one... Read More
Creating a new website is only the first stage in... Read More
Once you have finshed designing your website, you want to... Read More
When it comes to website marketing and promotions, you need... Read More
Giving away content is a powerful way to get free... Read More
Many of you will remember the line from the movie... Read More
Webmasters across the globe are involved in a race to... Read More
The number one key to getting business in the real... Read More
Website advertising, the unending quest of every website owner. And... Read More
Everybody Loves A Freebie!It's true! Who doesn't like to get... Read More
Are you happy with your website? (Does your business even... Read More
Web Site Promotion |