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Why and How To Translate Your Website?

Daniel Chang
Daniel Chang
Posted in Zoom Sep 6 · 6 Sep, 2022
Why and How To Translate Your Website?

Why Businesses Should Translate Their Website

Translating a website is not just a trend—it is a powerful strategy that helps businesses reach new audiences around the world. In today’s connected world, having an English-only website may hold your company back. Here are the main reasons companies are interested in learning how to translate a website and make it available to global audiences.

Increase Your Website Traffic

- Over 75% of internet users prefer to buy products in their native language (CSA Research, 2020). - Localizing your content helps you rank higher in search results for different countries. - More languages mean more potential visitors who can understand your offerings.

Build Trust with International Customers

- Customers are more likely to trust websites that speak their language. - Translated product details and payment instructions make new users feel safe when making purchases. - This trust leads to more sales and better brand loyalty.

Grow Your Brand Internationally

- A multilingual website signals that you are serious about international business. - Speaking your customers’ language creates an emotional connection, making them feel valued. - Localized content increases cultural ownership and brand awareness.

Stay Competitive in Global Markets

- If your site is available in only one language, customers may turn to competitors who offer websites in their own language. - With more than half of all websites written only in English (W3Techs, 2023), you can stand out by providing options in multiple languages. - Leading early in localization can set you apart as an industry leader.

Improve SEO for Global Reach

- Multilingual websites rank in search engines for many regions and languages. - International SEO strategies, such as using hreflang tags and translated keywords, boost organic traffic. - Localized content answers search queries in users’ native languages, which helps improve visibility.

Comply with Regional Laws and Standards

- Some countries require companies to provide websites or content in the official language of that country. - Failing to comply can result in penalties and a loss of credibility. - Translating legal pages, terms of service, and privacy policies ensures compliance.

Deliver Better Customer Experiences

- Customers want to feel understood and included. - Websites that allow users to interact in their preferred language improve user satisfaction. - Providing translated help resources, FAQs, and contact information decreases frustration and increases loyalty.

How to Translate Your Website Effectively

Taking your website global involves more than just running content through a free online translator. Here are the steps to create a successful multilingual website:

1. Choose the Right Target Languages

- Use your website analytics to see where visitors come from. - Look at your sales records and customer inquiries to spot growth opportunities. - Consider factors like market size, potential customer base, and cultural relevance.

2. Select a Reliable Translation Solution

- Professional [Text Translation services](https://gotranscript.com/text-translation-services) provide accurate and culturally appropriate results. - Choose between human translation for the highest quality or [automated transcription](https://gotranscript.com/automated-transcription-services) for faster results. - Some businesses combine automation with review by native speakers for a balance of speed and quality.

3. Proofread and Edit All Translations

- Always have a [transcription proofreading service](https://gotranscript.com/transcription-proofreading-services) review the translated content. - Check for typos, grammar mistakes, and accuracy. - Ask native speakers to read and test the content to make sure it makes sense.

4. Update Multimedia and Non-Text Content

- Translate images, graphics, and videos where text appears. - Use [subtitling services](https://gotranscript.com/subtitling-services) to add translated captions to videos. - Add [closed captions](https://gotranscript.com/closed-captioning-services) for accessibility in every language.

5. Test and Launch Your Site

- Preview your website in every language. - Confirm that navigation, buttons, and forms work in all languages. - Make sure that local contact information and payment options are included, when appropriate.

6. Monitor and Optimize

- After you launch, track how each language version performs. - Use analytics data to see what pages are popular and where users drop off. - Make changes as needed to improve user experience and attract more visitors.

Common Methods for Website Translation

You have several options when deciding how to translate your website:
  • Human translation services: These provide the highest quality and accuracy, especially for marketing content and technical documents.
  • Machine translation: Automated tools offer speed, but may not handle slang, idioms, or complex language well.
  • Hybrid solutions: Some companies use machine translation followed by human review for cost-effective accuracy.
  • Translation plugins: For content management systems, plugins can simplify the process but may need professional oversight.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Method

- Budget constraints - The importance of accuracy and tone - Ongoing content updates - Website platform compatibility

Why Companies Cannot Rely on English Alone

Many businesses think their English website reaches enough people, but:
  • Only about 25% of web users speak English as a first language (Statista, 2023).
  • Many shoppers abandon purchases if websites do not offer their language (CSA Research, 2020).
  • Customers are more likely to return to brands that invest in localization.
A multilingual website helps you reach more visitors, earn more trust, and get ahead of the competition.

Getting Started with Website Translation

Translating your website requires planning, research, and the right support. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
  1. Analyze analytics data to pick target languages.
  2. Choose skilled translators or an experienced service.
  3. Use [audio translation services](https://gotranscript.com/audio-translation-services) for podcasts or video.
  4. Proofread, edit, and test every page and feature.
  5. Set up language toggles and localized contact info.
  6. Track user engagement and make further improvements.
For affordable options, view [transcription pricing](https://gotranscript.com/cheap-transcription-rates) and [captioning services pricing](https://gotranscript.com/cheap-captioning-rates).

GoTranscript Delivers Professional Website Translation Solutions

If you want to expand your company’s reach or improve international SEO, GoTranscript offers a full suite of services. From [website translation](https://gotranscript.com/text-translation-services) to [human and automated transcription solutions](https://gotranscript.com/ai-transcription-subscription), as well as [proofreading](https://gotranscript.com/transcription-proofreading-services) and [captioning](https://gotranscript.com/closed-captioning-services), GoTranscript can help you localize content quickly and accurately. Ready to connect with the world? [Order transcription](https://gotranscript.com/upload/transcriptions) or [order captions](https://gotranscript.com/upload/captions) today to get started.