Because of the pervasive nature of the online and mobile world in modern life, software localization is essential for creating a consistent user experience (UX) across different regions and cultures. Top companies in the internet industry are fully aware of this fact: no matter where their customers are located, they can use services like Airbnb and Uber in their native language and with a user interface (UI) tailored to their specific needs.

A foolproof plan including strategy, execution, and what makes software localization services essential to success is critical for the complex software localization process. Put together your strategy with the help of this article.

What is localization in software development?

Software localization refers to tailoring any software to the needs of a particular market, including selecting appropriate linguistic and cultural references. Taking software worldwide by tailoring it to local needs might be the difference between success and failure for a software firm in today’s highly competitive global market.

The process of globalization includes localization as well as internationalization. Before releasing your program worldwide, you must ensure its source code is easily localized. This process is called internationalization, which we will discuss in further depth below.

3 Essentials to localize software effectively

We recommend localizing all aspects of your program to get the advantages above. Since your program may be affected by factors as diverse as currency symbols and units of measurement as well as geopolitical sensitivities, any modifications must be well thought out and deployed with little disruption. Here are some of the most important considerations before starting a software translation project.

1. Text and Writing Systems

A professional software localization company takes into account any language-related effects. They go above and beyond simple translation services by catering to a wide range of character encoding standards and orientations, such as those required for right-to-left languages like Hebrew, Arabic, and Farsi. They advise how to change text fields and resource files like menus, dialog boxes, and action buttons-plus user interface files like localizable strings-is necessary when localizing software for regions that speak various languages.

You’ll need to understand how the software will run with the text positioned differently and how that will affect the user experience. To improve the reading experience for native speakers, you must also understand how they engage with written information.

2. Graphic Design

Not only can the text in your user interface be localized with graphic design localization, but you can also adjust the visual style and layout. Misused characters and iconography may be baffling at best. The localization team working on your product should review the symbols and visuals to ensure they make sense and aren’t objectionable to the intended audience.

One organization, for instance, employed a mailbox with a red flag to indicate new messages in the user’s inbox. A lack of familiarity with the meaning of red flags on mailboxes outside of the United States only clouded the intended purpose.

Your symbology mustn’t reference any religious or politically charged themes. Any visuals that will not connect with your audience must be localized. To avoid offending locals in the Middle East, the Crimson Cross, for instance, substitutes a red crescent for its usual red cross logo. When adapting for a British audience, you may wish to swap out the red hand symbol with a different image that conveys the same message.

3. User Experience (UX)

Think about how your consumers perceive the content they read and see when using your product. In certain civilizations, this varies significantly from the norm. Users in Japan, for instance, want to see more navigational aids, such as sidebars, information boxes, and hyperlinks, on a given page. They may feel unprepared to go forward with an American-style, more minimalist, and streamlined design. You may see a significant drop in conversions as a result of this.

It would help if you never made assumptions about your program without doing significant user research. Gather as many examples of successful applications and competing goods in the target language as possible, and conduct as many interviews with members of your target audience as you can. Pay close attention to the standard grouping of content on a page, the quantity of text and information provided, and the positioning of action buttons and form fills.

If you have a mobile and desktop version of the program, remember to update both of them. The unstated standards that influence software design in that industry may be uncovered via research and used to build your product in a manner that puts consumers at ease.

Software localization benefits

A well-executed localization project may do wonders for a company. Still, it’s not always feasible to go immediately into localizing software. To determine if software localization is a pressing issue for your company, we’ve defined three main kinds of goods that may require translation below.

1. There is a geographical limitation on your software

One possible exception to the need to localize software for several languages is if your software serves a niche unique to your area or community. Even so, it’s essential to consider whether there are any minority language populations in your area that may benefit from the localization and translation of software.

You could assume, for instance, that an insurance marketplace for your state doesn’t need to be adapted for the local community, but what if there are sizable Filipino, Chinese, or Haitian populations there? If you localize your product to specific communities, you may find more support among its users.

2. You have yet to release your first piece of software

You can always plan to localize your program later, but for now, it may make more sense to concentrate on your area. Therefore, your material should be ready for potential localization solutions as soon as feasible. Start modestly so you don’t have to revise too much later; for example, provide support for foreign characters and number file formats. Keep your phrases short and your colloquialism to a minimum while composing your content.

3. The goal is to increase the size of your user base

To experience exponential growth, many applications must first amass a certain threshold of users. This is because of the strength of network effects, which outlines how each platform’s new user benefits all of the site’s current users. At some point, the advantages of joining a platform exceed the costs of joining, a phenomenon known as the “tipping point” caused by network effects. New software must pass this common milestone to become scalable and sustainable.

Localization is necessary to grow into a new market or reach an existing audience overseas. Suppose you want to expand into new markets. In that case, you should include localization best practices in your development process from the start. Software translation is essential if you want to expand your user base in this manner.

Final Thoughts

Localizing your software is necessary to expand your reach into untapped countries, win over new customers, and prepare your business for worldwide expansion. As more and more software crosses international boundaries, translation has emerged as a low-cost strategy for expanding its reach. If you do it well, you can provide your customers with a far better experience. Do it well, and your product might become the next big thing all across the globe.