Localization is not a new word for business owners. It has a particular meaning and value in the business world. Localization means to adapt the language, culture and priorities of a region to make your business local in a region. This adaptation particular to the region in which you are introducing your business is very important for sales and better communication and understanding of the general population. Due to these modifications local people will not see your product as a foreign product but localization makes it as if it belongs to the region.
Types of Localization
There are multiple types of localization, like content localization, but I am highlighting some major types below:
Website Localization: Adapting your existing website to the regional language and culture is very important for introducing it to the targeted group. It is much more than simple translation and includes graphics and colors that identify that region and makes your site more localized.
Brand Localization: If you are launching any product then you should have the knowledge of the preferences of people in region. For example: if you are launching a cloth brand in a conservative population then you should first have a look on how the locals dress.
Marketing Localization: It is necessary to include the local employees to help you introduce to methods that will help you to increase marketing in the region.
App Localization: If you are launching an app for your business then the product info, graphics and all the content should be SEO optimized. It makes your customers aware of what you are exactly selling to them and SEO optimization helps them to purchase what they are looking for.
Multimedia Localization: A site includes audios, videos and ads. These all should be modified for the purpose of adapting to the preferences and needs of people in the targeted region.
Software Localization: It includes translating software to a specific locale's language, culture and legal requirements. This will require modifications to the user visible components of software such as images and user interface.
Game Localization: Game localization is the act of preparing games for their respective releases in different areas of the world. Different people and markets speak different languages, have different content and laws and have different cultures. Game localization allows developers to tailor the game experience to match the audience for which it’s intended. But let's stick with that a bit; what does that entail?
Game localization involves not only translating the game into new languages, but also removing elements from a game that other cultures might not tolerate or even find insulting in their entertainment content. Game localization is one of the most fundamental yet crucial parts of game development. The overall process can take up to four months depending on the content complexity and amount of words, and is definitely not a piece of cake.
Website Localization: For your site to become globally accepted, you need your website to be localized. A few modifications can not make your site globally accepted, you need to modify it according to different regions which you are targeting and the most important thing is to find a native translator specialized in website localization. This will boost your sales as your localized content attracts new customers and new customers become your repeat customers. The language, graphics, color and content added to the preferences of your audience makes your business succeed and helps your business to become a global business.
It is never easy to maintain a global business but smartness and hard work combined can help you achieve the heights. Feel free to reach out to learn how I deal with my English to Greek localization projects.