5 Key Challenges in Business Website Translation


5 Key Challenges in Business Website Translation
Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy

1/18/2021

Your domestic website is the best and easiest way for your company to establish reputation and loyalty.

However, as your business grows into additional markets, your websites supporting your clients must do the same in the languages desired by those customers.

Therefore, its online content vocabulary is a key component of a company's ability to reach new markets.

And while the translation of websites undoubtedly has its challenges, it is perhaps the most critical and worthwhile strategy for generating global revenues.

5 Key Challenges in Business Website Translation

1. Using Proper Terminology Consistently

Most companies have their own specific product or industry terminology. It is important to translate them accurately so that they make sense for each target language website.

Creating a glossary of standard terms before beginning the actual website translation process would be useful. Creating a glossary would be costly at first but will save time and money in the long run.

This is how it works here:

  • Extract a list of words that your source language website currently uses.
  • Provide your translation company with the list, along with some background to assist the translators.
  • In a vocabulary database, the translation company will enter the words, where subject matter experts will add the correct translation for each word and language.
  • When the termbase is complete, the company will review the work before signing off and make any necessary modifications.

Translators will dig into the full translation of the website until this process is complete.

For specified words, linguists can then simply pick and insert the correct translations without spending any extra time studying those phrases. QA checkers can ensure that your chosen terminology is used after the translation is complete.

Alternatively, they will apply corrections as appropriate.

2. Compatibility with Technical Specifications, Versatility, and Ease of Use

Sadly, the multilingual features of your Content Management System (CMS) may not be a sustainable option.

Generally, CMS applications may not have built-in features that assist with the actual translation of material from the website.

To fix this, businesses can use CMS connectors. Connectors simplify the process of exporting the translation of vendors' website content and streamline the process of importing and deploying such translations on multilingual websites.

However, they are often very costly to procure; they involve deployment and require continuing development work.

3. Adapting the Content to Each Locale

Ideally, the original material should narrate a straightforward and concise story, with minimal idioms, slang, and local references.

The translation process is the first step in the process of localization and creating appropriate and concise content.

Skilled linguists can understand the intent of the source language and communicate the message to the target audience with proper context.

Automated translating software is not always accurate in such situations. Additionally, it would be best if you considered customizing the following components suitably:

  • Style: Does the translated text fit on the screen properly?
  • Design: Are the colors and images culturally appropriate?
  • Local criteria: Are there references or legal requirements for local regulations?
  • Formatting: Are local currencies, units of measure, dates, addresses, or phone numbers needed for conversions?

4. Completing Multilingual GUI Testing Before Release

A multilingual website needs error-free GUI testing and review before releasing it as a localized website to the public.

To target potential customers and cater to their requirements, one needs to develop the best possible first impression.

This is why collaborating with your translation company to conduct UI testing, GUI testing, and Quality Analysis on the translated website is always a good idea.

Ultimately, the context of every word should make sense, and both technical and cosmetic elements of the website should look correct and function accurately.

Ensure that all the content is easily visible, no content section is cut off, and all the links and site components operate flawlessly.

5. Keeping Your Published Multilingual Website Up to Date

Launching your multilingual website is a great accomplishment. It is critical to keep each language updated with the most recent content until it is available to the public.

It can be tricky to manage this process, particularly if you regularly update your website.

Therefore, use the appropriate technology resources that can help you update your website content from time to time.

One of these resources involves using translation plugins. These plugins allow you to track project status, connect your site content seamlessly to the subject matter experts and language experts working on your content, send and approve quotes, and review and publish translated content in the dashboard plugin.

See Also:

Conclusion

Translating your website can open up many new possibilities for your business. There will be obstacles, but you can resolve them with a little planning and preparation.

We have experience translating content in several languages, including English, Spanish, and Mandarin.

Please contact us at GMR Transcription Services, Inc. if you have any further questions or require website translation services.

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Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy is the Cofounder & President of GMR Transcription Services, Inc., a California-based company that has been providing accurate and fast transcription services since 2004. She has enjoyed nearly ten years of success at GMR, playing a pivotal role in the company's growth. Under Beth's leadership, GMR Transcription doubled its sales within two years, earning recognition as one of the OC Business Journal's fastest-growing private companies. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids.