The top businesses in the English-speaking world, irrespective of which niches they are in, have significantly impacted every country they’ve set foot in. Have you ever wondered how they were able to reach such success? Sure, their products and services are fantastic, but how does a company from an English-speaking country break into a non-English-speaking country? The solution is to devise the most effective localization strategy.
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What Is a Localization Strategy?
A localization strategy is a business plan that entails translating company content in order to reach out to new markets. In the age of high-speed internet, a company’s ability to expand beyond its national borders and establish itself on a worldwide scale depends on having an efficient and effective localization strategy. Continue reading for some helpful hints on how to create an effective localization strategy for your company.
1) Learn from the Locals:
Daniel Foley from Scooter Guide says: “No one knows how to localize the information for a certain market better than the people who live there. Local specialists and potential employees who are natives of those target markets should be approached. You must be familiar with the marketplaces in which you intend to do business, as failure to do so could result in the loss of precious resources”. Contact your local partners to see if your product is in demand in the new market, and which brands are your competitors. What kind of purchases do people make in that area? What are the most important cultural differences you should address?
2) Create Connections:
Your brand may already be doing well in your own nation when you enter a new market. This does not, however, guarantee that it will succeed in the target market right soon. According to Joanne King from ICMP “You must also extend your brand identification to new markets. Collaborate with localization agencies to establish a strong brand image from the start. Concentrate on building connections with the target audience by delivering a one-of-a-kind product or service that connects with them.”
3) Identify your key markets:
After doing some research, think about which countries would provide the best return on investment for your company and which languages are spoken there. Rather than paying a fortune to a translation or an agency, consider purchasing a list of consumers from a trusted source.
4) Use a localization company:
Consider hiring a professional localization business if you don’t have the capabilities in-house to handle worldwide expansion. Anthony Mixides, Managing Director at Bond Media adds “From translation and authoring to website design and marketing, a localization company can assist you with all elements of extending your business into new worldwide markets. You’ll ensure that your message is correct and culturally relevant by hiring a professional service, making it more likely that customers from other nations will do business with you.”
5) Think about logistics:
Daniel Foley, SEO Expert at LUCAS Products & Services says “When entering new markets, you’ll need to consider things like delivery times and shipping costs, which may vary depending on the country. Make sure you thoroughly examine these and include them in your pricing strategy.”
6) Incorporate Translation:
The translation is also necessary when you wish to cater your brand to new markets. In fact, it is inextricably linked to localization. Than Merrill from FortuneBuilders says “You should not only change your overall identity to fit a new market, but you should also change the language. Investigate the languages spoken in your target market and ensure that your product or website is translated into them”. According to reports, 90% of EU internet users prefer a website that is in their own language, and 42% will not buy products or services if the information is not available in their original language.
