First of all lets define what Website Localization is all about, this a very complex process and we could even say it’s kind of an art. Why? Because it requires for the person doing it to know exactly how the people of the country he’s preparing the site for, think, talk and write just as they do. See, the thing about performing Website Localization Service is to make a site that is done in a particular language one that is directed not only in terms of the texts used but also in terms of usability.
What we mean with this is that the end user should found all the elements to truly identify themselves with the site. For example if you’re doing a website for, let’s say China, one of the most important things to be done is to add support for Chinese text input, this will make the visitors feel welcome as just as home as it can be done.
Another Web Localization technique is to use common terms of the language to further accentuate the identification of the customer to the website. The general idea of using Web Localization is to make the visitor feel at home by proving and environment in which they can relate easily. Everything on the site must include the language of the country that it represents to ease the navigation and unsability.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
What is Website Localization and What to Do About it?
Localization of a website is a highly complex task consisting of translating the contents and adapting the style, graphics and cultural norms to the target market's needs and expectations. Whether you have an existing website that you want to translate, or you are building one from scratch, the first step should be to carefully examine your business needs and markets you'd like to venture into. Guessing can be very costly!
Examine your web traffic and sales statistics to see where your visitors originate from. It may be possible internationalize your website without having to do any translations at all. Whilst the process can be challenging and expensive, there are some things you can do to make the localization process easier for all concerned!
Discuss your project with your website developer. Better still, put them in touch with your translation company so that the various technical requirements can be discussed and resolved at the initial stage of development. For example, your webmaster will need to make a decision on the character set code, which will depend on the languages you intend to have the website translated into.
Appoint one person to be in charge of the project, communication and fielding questions between the translation company and your website developer.
Plan the management, centralization and version control of files to ensure consistency.
Ensure the source text is written in a simple, easy to understand language that does not contain ambiguities. Jargon, acronyms and colloquialisms can be very difficult to translate.
Maintain consistency of terminology throughout the text, especially when referring to the same concepts in different areas of your web site. Prepare a Glossary of Terms and include a list of items such as titles or names that you don't want translated.
Depending on the language, allow for text expansion or reduction of up to 30%. This is especially important for graphic files such as buttons containing text. Separate text from graphic files and the code. Indicate whether graphics contain text and will need to be translated.
Provide a list of fonts so that they can be matched with the original text fonts. Consider issues of dates, currencies, tax, measurements and sizing and postage. Avoid using apostrophes, ampersand, exclamation and quotation marks in strings. Allow plenty of time and budget for quality assurance and testing.
And finally, keep meticulous records of your project detailing what's worked and what hasn't, and measure the outcome of your efforts, once the website goes live!
Feel free to email me if you have any other questions!
Examine your web traffic and sales statistics to see where your visitors originate from. It may be possible internationalize your website without having to do any translations at all. Whilst the process can be challenging and expensive, there are some things you can do to make the localization process easier for all concerned!
Discuss your project with your website developer. Better still, put them in touch with your translation company so that the various technical requirements can be discussed and resolved at the initial stage of development. For example, your webmaster will need to make a decision on the character set code, which will depend on the languages you intend to have the website translated into.
Appoint one person to be in charge of the project, communication and fielding questions between the translation company and your website developer.
Plan the management, centralization and version control of files to ensure consistency.
Ensure the source text is written in a simple, easy to understand language that does not contain ambiguities. Jargon, acronyms and colloquialisms can be very difficult to translate.
Maintain consistency of terminology throughout the text, especially when referring to the same concepts in different areas of your web site. Prepare a Glossary of Terms and include a list of items such as titles or names that you don't want translated.
Depending on the language, allow for text expansion or reduction of up to 30%. This is especially important for graphic files such as buttons containing text. Separate text from graphic files and the code. Indicate whether graphics contain text and will need to be translated.
Provide a list of fonts so that they can be matched with the original text fonts. Consider issues of dates, currencies, tax, measurements and sizing and postage. Avoid using apostrophes, ampersand, exclamation and quotation marks in strings. Allow plenty of time and budget for quality assurance and testing.
And finally, keep meticulous records of your project detailing what's worked and what hasn't, and measure the outcome of your efforts, once the website goes live!
Feel free to email me if you have any other questions!
info@trusstechnosofts.com
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.
For more information on the cultural considerations involved in website localization please see our article Culture and Website Localization.
"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.
For more information on the cultural considerations involved in website localization please see our article Culture and Website Localization.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
About Trusstechnosofts
Truss Techno Softs is a end to end offshore IT services provider for small to large enterprises. Our competencies lie in setting up dedicated offshore software development teams for outsourced product development, application development, application maintenance and software testing. Using our proven Project Management and mature development methodology we ensure off shoring works for you.
Truss Techno Softs was founded in 2007 by a team of professionals who have exposure to and are comfortable with current software technologies. Truss Techno Softs is a software development company based in Hyderabad India. Truss Techno Softs deliver services, products and support, which provide our clients with the advantages that these software technologies bring along with them.
With the great strength of team at Truss Techno Softs, we deliver qualitative, time-driven, service backed-up solutions. PHP is a corner stone of Truss Techno Softs work for web programming. Truss Techno Softs deep expertise with markets and technology platforms enables Truss Techno Softs to offer a high quality, full range of life-cycle development services, from requirements gathering and definition, through the delivery and deployment of solutions. Truss Techno Softs software development professionals bring years of experience in developing commercial software applications to meet both the business and technical requirements of a project.
Truss Techno Softs offering High Quality Solutions to Web Design, Web Development, Ecommerce solutions, Script Installations, Software Testing, Web Maintenance and Design Solutions to various clients all over the World. Truss Techno Softs offers a wide range of customer management solutions to our clients and their customers.
Offshore Java Competency Center helps clients to realize the benefits of Enterprise Java/J2EE platforms, and related technologies including Web Services and J2EE Development Services.
Truss Techno Softs has trained resources and has developed best practices for .NET application development using Microsoft’s .NET architecture and enable rapid application design and development.
Truss Techno Softs adds value to your Open Source software development project by analyzing your requirements thoroughly to understand your business needs and Performing extensive research to identify optimal open source technologies.
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