Website Localization: An Essential Recipe to Expand your Business in the Global Market

Websites are an effective way to reach out and engage with your audience. It is a platform that's used to promote products, services, ideas, and more. However, with businesses going global, many users are looking for websites to connect with the brands - in their native language.

Enter: Website Localization.  

Localizing your website is a smart move to expand your customer base and boost your traffic, growth, and profitability. 

Don't believe us? Check out these stats: 

Research shows that 70 percent of internet users aren't native English speakers. Further, 40 percent of the users avoid making purchases from the website if it is not in their native language.

Hence, it's no wonder companies are revamping their websites according to the culture and languages of their target audience.

Wondering how to localize your website and expand your business into other markets? We've got you covered! 

This article will walk you through the tips you can consider to localize your website effectively and take your business to the next level. 

So, let's jump into it! 

What is Website Localization? 

Website localization is the process of adapting the look, content, and functionality of your existing website to the culture and language of your audience. In general, it means to make the website accessible, usable, and culturally fit for the specific region.

Most people confuse localization with translation. But a true website localization is much more than that. In addition to converting the text from one language to another, website localization addresses cultural and non-textual issues.  

Tips for Effective Website Localization

Now the hard part begins. With hundreds of different languages and buying preferences, localizing your website can seem a bit daunting. 

So, let's jump into a few tips that can help you localize your website in a simple yet effective way.

• Choose your target audience 

First, you need to decide which countries and languages you want to localize for. Conduct extensive research and understand your buyer persona, cultural challenges, competitors, local laws, vocabulary, slang, etc.

• Consider the website layout

Can your website layout make a difference in your localization strategy? Short answer - Yes. 

People from the West read in an F-shaped pattern. This means that they'll scan your website from left to right, with more focus on the left side. However, if you're targeting Arabic countries, remember that they read from right to left. So, you can't present the same layout as it won't be according to your audience's culture. Further, adjusting your font size as per your target language can work wonders here.

• Select the right images and colour 

When it comes to images, consider the cultural impact they'll have on your target audience. Avoid using religious symbols, hands, or animals in your logo or icons. 

Choosing the right colours is crucial too. For example, the blue colour represents calmness and is used in most website templates and illustrations. But it is the colour of mourning in Iran. Further, blue also represents a boy's birth in most countries, but in China, it is considered a feminine colour.   
 
The Takeaway 

If you've decided to localize your website, then you're serious about increasing your brand exposure and reaching a large customer base. We hope this article clears all your doubts about website localization so that you can get started with it right away. However, don't be afraid to experiment, and above all, don't be afraid to start.   

Want to expand your business in the global market? So, don’t wait too long. Get your website localized from us – Lingual Consultancy. For requirements/queries drop an email at [email protected] or give us a call at +91 124 2848100.