With mobile and web apps permeating every aspect of our lives, more than ever before, professional software localization is now a necessity to ensure unmatched user experience (UX) across all geographical locations and different cultures.
The world’s top tech companies are aware of this regardless of where the world’s users reside. They have access to services such as Airbnb as well as Uber in their native local language and enjoy a UX that is perfectly tailored to their tastes, habits, or habits.
Localization of software is a complicated process that requires a solid plan that covers everything from strategy to implementation. And ultimately it makes software localization tools essential for success.
Start by following this guideline to begin creating your own plan.
What Is The Role of Localization In The Field of Software Development?
The software localization process is the process of adapting a mobile or mobile application to the specific culture and language of users in a specific market.
The ability to take software globally by making it adaptable to local demands can make what differentiates a firm that is successful in a highly global marketplace and one that is struggling to draw international users.
Localization, together with internationalization, is part of the overarching process of globalization.
If you want to make your software globally accessible First, you must make your software source code to be localized in order to remove any hurdles to the deployment of your software internationally. This is known as internationalization.
Localization always comes after internationalization, and it has several core elements:
- UX/UI Design: Designers adjust users’ interfaces of the product in all the languages you prefer to detect any design flaws which could cause negative effects on customer experience (e.g. the word lengths in buttons for call-to-action).
- Translating content: The software’s content is translated as the software’s content is translated, and the accompanying assets, such as images, are adjusted to the specific market’s needs.
- Quality assurance and testing (QA): Finally testing for localization is essential to ensure that the software’s user interface (UI) UX and function are correct for each region before deploying the software in production
What Are The Benefits of Software Localization?
Although localization may appear expensive at first it’s essential for sustainable international expansion and growth of your business. A well-thought-out localization plan can assist you in achieving your desired rate of return (ROI) much earlier than you think. Let’s look at the most important elements that could determine your success when doing business internationally.
- A Client Base That Is Loyal
Brand loyalty often is built on cultural affinities. That is, consumers are awestruck when brands speak with them using their home language. Even non-natives who have a good command of English prefer content that is in their native language when they have the option.
This implies that localized software isn’t solely about being recognized, but an opportunity to show respect for local customers. A high-quality localization can help keep the attention of customers and build loyalty. Moreover, it helps to build long-lasting relationships with customers, and ultimately trust is what allows sales to be made.
- Customer Acquisition Is Faster
Although the majority of websites are written in English however, the majority of internet users use languages other than English. In the 2nd quarter of the year 2020, Eight of the top 10 markets based on apps downloaded were non-English. This also led to an increase in mobile app localization services.
When done correctly, localization can allow your application able to enter new markets quickly, begin earning revenue right from the first day after release and remain ahead of your competitors. This is why the entry of countries that have a potentially profitable market share– such as China–can be extremely profitable.
- The Brand’s Image And Symbolism
Brand recognition is the first step in gaining new customers. It is nearly impossible to achieve without localization. Brand awareness is a must, as it means you can save on advertising and also helps build brand equity that will make your product more attractive to investors and potential customers.
The process of entering a new market is also an issue of status, that grants an access point to the symbolic capital. It is a term from sociology that refers to the resources that are accessible to a group or individual based on status or prestige. It gives you the possibility to be a participant in the culture as well as access to prominent opinion leaders and ultimately, helps increase the sales of your product.
- Higher Conversion Rates
Software that is geared towards the market’s linguistic and cultural preferences will be more likely to come in the user’s favor which will in turn increase conversion rates.
It’s a principle of neuromarketing that states that the decision to purchase the product is significantly more emotional than you believe.
If the software you purchase is in the language of the user is more likely to create an association with the subconscious of their brains, which could ultimately increase the perceived worthiness and ultimately lead to buying.
Hence, aim to translate your website into the language of the user. You will probably need the assistance of website localization services to attain the task.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the importance of software localization. If an organization aims to offer its software services or product in the international market, then it is essential to localize the software to make an impact. To accomplish this task, help from professional software localization services would be a viable option.
