Translating a Website? Here Are Three Things To Keep In Mind

Why Translating Your Website Matters

Nelson Mandela once said, "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, it goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, it goes to his heart." This idea shows why using your audience's own language is so important, especially for businesses. When you translate your company's website, you can reach a much wider audience and connect with them more deeply.

Does your website show content in more than one language? If not, you are not alone. Most websites use only one language. Sometimes, adding new languages is simple with a multilingual plugin. Other times, you may need to redesign some parts of your website. This guide explains what you need to know before starting the translation process.

Automated Translation: Pros and Cons

Many websites today use automated translation tools powered by artificial intelligence. These tools let you select a language from a dropdown menu and instantly translate your website into multiple languages. This seems quick and easy, but automated translation systems have serious limitations.

Here are some major problems with automated website translation:

• Automated tools often miss content inside images.
• Results can be inaccurate or awkward-sounding.
• Important cultural details or context may be lost.
• Inconsistencies appear between different pages or languages.

While automated options are fast and low cost, research shows that 59% of people prefer to shop on websites in their own language (CSA Research, 2020). Machine translations can damage trust and drive away customers.

For those interested in fast, low-effort solutions, automated transcription tools are available, but keep their drawbacks in mind.

Benefits of Human Translation

Using professional human translation delivers higher accuracy and better results than machines. Here is why human translators are the gold standard:

• Humans provide context, not just direct translations.
• Idioms, jokes, and cultural references are properly adapted.
• Translators proofread their work for quality and clarity.

Though it takes more time, human translation services ensure your website speaks naturally to native speakers. Trusted firms use expert linguists, so your message sounds local—not robotic.

Professional translation companies manage teams of skilled writers. For example, GoTranscript's text translation service offers over 50 languages, from French and Spanish to less common options like Estonian or Vietnamese. Clients benefit from several levels of quality control for every project.

Choosing the Right Company

• Look for native speakers as translators.
• Check that the company does quality checks on all projects.
• Read real customer reviews and testimonials.
• Make sure they offer a range of languages and quick turnaround times.

By hiring a reputable firm, you get expert help without long delays. Companies like GoTranscript also offer proofreading services to polish every translation.

How Website Translation Impacts SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is key for attracting visitors to your website. SEO means adding keywords and content people search for online. When your site appears in more languages, you show up in many more search results.

• 90% of website visits begin with a search engine (BrightEdge, 2019).
• Translated websites get traffic from new regions and audiences.
• Localized keywords make your pages easier to find in different countries.

Automated translation cannot match the keyword accuracy and language style of human translators, so your SEO will improve more with professional help.

A multilingual website helps your business attract more users and convert visitors into loyal customers. If you want your brand to grow, translation should be a top priority.

Speed vs. Quality: What Should You Choose?

You may wonder whether to use fast machine translation or skilled professionals. Automated tools are quick but less reliable.

• If trust and clear communication matter, choose professional human translation.
• Expert translators consider language structure, cultural details, and proper editing.
• Quality is checked by project managers, so errors get fixed quickly.

A balance between speed and accuracy is possible when working with established companies. You get updates on your project's progress and high-quality local content.

Ready to expand worldwide? Localizing your website lets you meet the needs of any market. Start planning for growth and reach new customers today.

Next Steps: GoTranscript Can Help

Translating your website is one of the best ways to expand your audience and boost business growth. From text translation services to audio translation, GoTranscript offers a full range of transcription and caption services for every budget. You can review transcription pricing and captioning prices before you order transcription or order captions.

Let GoTranscript's expert team handle your website translation and localization needs, so you can focus on growing your business around the world.