Globalization

 

Increase your Exposure through a multilingual Web Site and reach new Markets

There are millions of foreigners who speak English, but would rather use their primary language to conduct a Web search. Finding information "comfortable" to a customer’s native language is a compelling reason to translate your Web Site -or "localize" it -to the customer’s language, customs, cultural references. Statistics show that 99% of all searches abroad are conducted in their native language.

Sheer volume is one factor—and the startling numbers of users across the globe is another. Some 619 Million people worldwide are using the internet, with Europe being the leader. It is estimated that only a third of all Internet users worldwide is English-speakers.

Losing the interest of the international visitor can be costly. According to Export America, statistics indicate that a customer is twice as likely to stay at a web site, and four times as likely to purchase goods or services, if the site is in his or her native language. According to Forrester Research, businesses that present web sites only in English lose up to $10 million in potential sales per year.

"Localizing" the site to a native language must account for the linguistic, cultural, social and monetary requirements of the target market. For example, most developing countries do not use credit cards for transactions. Alternate payment methods, and the ability to use or convert local currency, is vital.

Clip art, photographs, symbols and colors must be adapted for culture-specific adaptability. A clip art symbol of an American "stop" sign, or a two-fingered "V" for victory may be viewed differently in Athens, Greece than in Athens, Georgia. Even the color scheme of a site or product must be looked at, since colors have different cultural associations in different countries.

Website Localization

 

What is Localization?

Localization is the process involving the translation and adaptation of technology-related materials from one language into another. Such materials include websites, software packages, and multimedia packages. The localization process goes much deeper than straight translation and involves meeting both technical and linguistic challenges. From a technical standpoint all facets of the material being localized must be considered, from user interface to how numbers and other values must be presented in the local format. Equally important is targeting the user population appropriately, taking such things into consideration as cultural nuances, appropriateness of graphics and even locally preferred color schemes.