Software Localization Services: Why Businesses Should Invest

What is Software Localization?

In today’s interconnected world, software companies have the opportunity to expand beyond national borders, reaching global customers and increasing their sales. However, companies aiming to enter international markets face several challenges:

  • Language Barriers: Over 7,100 languages are spoken globally, and not everyone speaks the same language.
  • Cultural Differences: People's tastes, sensibilities, and cultural preferences vary significantly from one country to another.
  • Legal Norms: Legal requirements for software can differ across countries.

How can businesses overcome these challenges and seize opportunities for global expansion? The answer lies in software localization!



Software localization services is the process of adapting a software application to meet the language and cultural preferences of local markets. It goes beyond merely translating content into the local language. It involves adjusting the user interface, formatting standards, and graphical elements to ensure a seamless user experience.

Key elements to modify during software localization include:

  • Menus
  • Glossaries
  • Dialog boxes
  • Error or status messages
  • Application color schemes
  • Technical documentation
  • Graphics and photos
  • Icons and CTA (Call-to-Action) buttons

This article highlights the reasons why businesses should invest in software localization services.

 

Why Businesses Should Invest in Software Localization Services

Software localization is essential because it opens up numerous opportunities to expand into new markets, serve a broader audience, and boost revenues.

Benefits of Software Localization

Reach New Customers and Expand Internationally

Many potential users may not have tried your software simply because it’s not available in their native language. They might not even be aware of its existence due to language barriers.

The following statistics underscore the value of local markets and the importance of translating your software:

  • 75% of the global population does not speak English.
  • Nearly 20% of internet users communicate in Mandarin Chinese.
  • Other widely spoken languages include Hindi (8.3%), Spanish (7%), French (3.6%), Arabic (3.6%), Portuguese (3.4%), and Russian (3.3%).

If your software is available only in English, you are limiting your business to a small segment of the global market. Software localization allows you to reach new audiences across the world, helping you expand your business internationally.

Gain a Competitive Advantage

In today’s highly competitive market, one way to differentiate your brand is by offering a multilingual product. Language barriers can be a significant obstacle for software products. By localizing your software into multiple languages, you can gain a first-mover advantage.

Localization also helps build trust with local markets and foster a loyal customer base. However, this is only achievable if the localization process is thorough, eliminating any reliability issues or functionality bugs.

Best practices for software localization that help achieve a competitive advantage include:

  • Avoiding untranslated strings.
  • Engaging subject matter experts to translate abbreviations, industry-specific terms, and complex sentences in a way that is easily understood by local users.
  • Refraining from using machine translation, which cannot fully grasp complex grammar, cultural nuances, and idiomatic expressions.
  • Ensuring that color schemes and images align with local cultural norms.
  • Eliminating text cut-offs and inconsistencies in font sizes.

It’s advisable to test the localized software in real-time before releasing it to customers. For instance, beyondwordz offers on-device testing to identify untranslated strings, grammar mistakes, and user interface (UI) issues. This process ensures a smooth user experience in the users’ native language.

Increase Revenue on All Fronts

The primary objective of any software provider is to boost revenue. Software localization can help achieve this in three ways:

  1. Reach More Customers: Localization ensures that your app is available in multiple languages, leading to increased downloads and user adoption. For software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers, this means higher subscription rates in various languages, translating into greater revenue.
  2. Boost Conversion Rates: Potential customers often wish to try a software product before purchasing it. Offering a localized trial version enhances their experience, making it more likely that they will opt for a paid subscription. Localization helps potential customers understand the product’s benefits, encouraging them to make quick purchase decisions.
  3. Enhance User Engagement: A seamless user experience keeps existing customers engaged with your software and helps them form a stronger connection with your brand. This engagement fosters customer loyalty and generates positive word-of-mouth, ultimately driving further revenue growth.

Help Users Better Understand Your Software's Features

Localization also allows users to interact effectively with the software and utilize its features correctly. By translating menus, buttons, notifications, and commands into the local language, users can make full use of your product, integrating it into their daily routines.

 

Enhance Your Services with Beyondwordz App

Software localization enables businesses to reach a larger audience, increase revenue, build a loyal customer base, and gain a competitive edge. To achieve these outcomes, software providers should collaborate with a reliable translation company with a proven track record.

Beyondwordz is a leading software localization service provider that can translate your desktop software, mobile apps, and web applications into over 50 languages across 70 countries. With experience in delivering more than 1,000 translation projects, Beyondwordz can help you localize your software into various target languages, including English, Chinese, German, Russian, Japanese, French, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, and more.

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

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