The Impact of Product Localization - what's your take?

Question

We hear contrasting opinions about product localization. Translating the product and lading page to different languages, localized prices, etc. This all takes some effort.

Did you do that for your company? How was the impact of that?

Kirill Tupikov · Accepted Answer

Hi!

We have localized our app into the most popular languages. For example Brazilian and Spanish are present in many countries. But we have to differentiate between translating the app and adapting the app to a new market.

We ask our users to help with the translation of the app. This saves resources for the startup and we also find out the linguistic and product characteristics of new markets.

Our users are very enthusiastic to help us in their markets.

Life hack: Translate texts with Google Translator and give them to users to proofread. It's easier for them.

Don't be afraid to involve your users in product development)

Anna Kanstantsinava · Answer

Localization is very important if you care about your users. Many people only speak their own mother tongue and can't appreciate a lot of non-localized products, no matter how good they are.
Of course you need a strategy for that, so that you don't get stuck in endless translations and adaptations

Umut Sönmez · Answer

This is totally related to the market you want to follow.

If you go to MENA, translate it to Arabic, especially the Syrian dialect. And yes, you should go to MENA.

If you go to Japan, definitely translate it to Japanese. I still cannot understand why founders ignore Japan and Japanese.

Aliaksandr Kandratsiuk · Answer

It is permanent process for our team. Sometimes we ask our users to help us with the translation and it works)

Valentin Marchenko · Answer

Hey, there's a pretty cool research on this topic called 'Can't Read - Won't Buy' by CSA Research here's a link to it: https://csa-research.com/Feature... It says that almost 65% of global users prefer localized products over non-localized ones, even if localization is of a poor quality. That makes total sense actually, we've been involved in localization for quite some time already and my personal take is that consumers really pay attention to product localization, especially when it comes to geographies with strong localization preferences, such as France, Germany, Japan or China

Marco Ancona · Answer

@kirill_tupikov good tip, thanks. Do you rely on some specific service to coordinate the translations with your user base?

Answer

We never had the time for this, but we wondered about this quite a bit... would love to hear some experience on this!

Marco Ancona · Answer

@umut_sonmez are you suggesting that the impact in countries like MENA and Japan the impact is larger than, for example, in Europe?

Kirill Tupikov · Answer

@marco_ancona2 Hi) We use google sheets with simple apps script who generate string resources files for Flutter, Android and iOS platforms.

Qudsia Ali · Answer

We have not done this for our company, but we know the importance of Product localization; therefore, we plan to do it soon. Each country has its nuances, culture, and needs. Product localization is needed so that products and services will appeal to customers on a local level.

Shadow Fight · Answer

totally localized (https://contadordepalavras.net/)

Doug Miller · Answer

@kirill_tupikov I would think that a reasonable trade would be to give those users that work on text translation an equivalent access/credit to use your product.

But the thought that comes to mind is how to you guard against the "pranksters"?

The Impact of Product Localization - what's your take?

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