Author: Ioanna Chatzintavidou
Publication date: 10.08.2023
We live in an era when selling in foreign countries is increasingly popular day by day. That’s why a company's website stands as the most potent and efficient means to connect with an international audience. Thus, with customers around the world expecting online content in their preferred language, speaking the language of your customers has become essential.
For this reason, companies must understand the significant role of website localisation when venturing into international markets. To thrive in the global market space, it is crucial to have a website that supports multiple languages. A multilingual website is indispensable for achieving success on a global scale. So, localization is the pathway to international success for businesses.
Actually, localization enables them to unlock global opportunities and connect with a diverse audience. Therefore, website localization is an indispensable tool for businesses seeking to thrive globally. This is mainly because of the cultural sensitivity and personalized experiences that do matter nowadays.
From Local to Global: What is Website Localisation
The process of website localization entails customizing a website to suit the language and cultural preferences of the intended audience. Actually, it goes beyond mere translation. Localizing your website encompasses more than a straightforward translation of your website into different languages. It requires both language and cultural adaptation.
In particular, the process of website localization involves adjusting the content to adhere to local standards whilepreserving the distinctive global brand identity. This includes tailoring the content to align with local tastes, currency, measurement units, date and time formats, layout, images, and even emojis. All of them should be in accordance with the cultural norms of the intended audience to resonate with the target culture.
The Strategic Benefits of Website Localisation
Language Matters: People Prefer their Native Tongue
A significant majority of Europeans, approximately 90%, exclusively browse websites in their native language. Furthermore, 42% of them wouldn’t purchase a product without a description in their native language. In today's digital landscape, the dominance of English as the primary language online is shifting. With rapid globalization and the rise of technology, people from all corners of the world have gained access to the Internet.
Plus, they prefer to consume content and absorb information in their own language. They still gravitate towards websites where they can easily access data in their mother tongue. Even if they are fluent in English. Statista's research for 2023 reveals that the most utilized languages on the internet in 2023 are Russian, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. As a result, relying solely on English for online communication and marketing strategies may limit reach and engagement.
To successfully convert casual website visitors into purchasing customers, it’s essential to engage online buyers by speaking their native language. Therefore, it’s crucial to embrace multilingualism and create an international website to fully engage in the vibrant online community.
Beyond your Comfort Zone: Expand your Horizons by Targeting New Regions
By adapting your website to cater to a global audience, you create an opportunity for people from all corners of the world to connect with your brand. In a fiercely competitive online landscape, standing out is crucial if you want to attract customers from overseas. A localized website can help your company to go one step further. So, ensuring your website is accessible to a wide range of people makes it easier for them to discover, consume, and engage with your content.
An international website opens exciting possibilities to target new regions, tap into new markets and expand your brand's presence. This could lead to a surge in new customers and increased sales as your website gains international traffic. However, simply adding new languages to your website is not enough. Each market has its unique interests and sensibilities. So, understanding these cultural differences is key to forging deeper connections with local audiences.
Trust and Credibility in the Digital Era: Enhance your Online Presence
Every decent company must constantly strive to foster loyalty, and trust, and establish deeper connections with its audience. For this reason, your website must speak the local languages fluently as if it were a native. By doing so, you not only build credibility but also demonstrate your brand's understanding and respect for the individual cultures of your customers. Websites that reflect the linguistic and cultural nuances of various markets show a level of sensitivity that resonates with the audience.
In addition, they offer a more user-friendly experience. Personalization plays a crucial role in creating a connection with your users. This is because they feel seen and understood when interacting with a website that caters to their individual needs. Satisfied customers are more likely to return to a website that consistently delivers a personalized experience and is in their native language. Therefore, this organic promotion can lead to increased traffic, conversions, and ultimately business growth.
Website Localization: Your SEO Buddy
Website localization is the next frontier in SEO, offering brands an innovative way to
boost their online visibility. Many brands limit themselves to a single language, missing out on the potential of reaching global audiences. Website localization into multiple languages can help brands significantly expand their search terms. Due to strategic keyword usage, localization can bring several SEO benefits, including improved search engine rankings and improved user accessibility.
Moreover, website localization presents exciting SEO opportunities to maximize traffic across multiple languages on popular search engines. These can be Google, Bing, Yandex, or DuckDuckGo. SEO localization can boost your conversion rate. In fact, users spend more time on a website featuring accurately translated content and optimized keywords. Thus, this leads to a higher conversion rate, as visitors are more inclined to take desired actions, such as making a purchase or filling out a form.
Conclusion
All in all, website localization is a crucial component of building a successful global online presence. By adapting your website to cater to a diverse audience, you create an opportunity to connect with people from all corners of the world and win their hearts. Speaking their native language and understanding their cultural nuances helps to foster trust, credibility, and deeper connections. Additionally, website localization plays a vital role in SEO, expanding search terms, improving rankings, and attracting more organic traffic. Moreover, localisation not only enhances customer experience and satisfaction but also drives increased engagement and loyalty. As the world becomes increasingly connected, website localization is no longer an option but a necessity for businesses seeking to thrive across the globe. Therefore, companies can position themselves as global frontrunners by investing in website localization. This will allow them to capture new markets and acquire a larger customer base.