Localizing your content can help your organization to effectively reach new audiences. When you start a localization project, the many different aspects of your content that are adjusted allow your target audience to feel like your content was originally made for their language and culture. There are many ways that you can ensure your project goes smoothly, but if you don’t follow the best practices for localization you’ll find the project to be more challenging to complete. If you want a simple, easy process – you should absolutely avoid doing the following things!
1. Jump in without a plan
If you want your localization project to be completed on-time and in-budget, you need to plan your project beforehand. Know who will be involved, what content you want localized, who your target audience is, etc. Having this information before you start the project will help your Language Service Provider (LSP) to effectively localize the content for your new market.
2. Start your project without a style guide or glossary
Linguistic assets, like style guides and glossaries, streamline the localization process. They increase consistency throughout the project and allow your linguists to work within your organization’s preferences for all aspects of the project. The best practice for localization is to gather all of your linguistic assets and share them with your LSP before you start your localization project.
3. Write the source document in complicated language
If you really want to complicate your localization project, write the source document in complicated language. However, if you want your localization project to be easy for your organization and your LSP, following the best practices for localization means writing the source document following plain language principles. Also, stay aware of your target audience’s reading level, and write appropriately for that level.
4. Don’t provide your LSP with the original graphics
Withholding the original graphic files from your LSP will almost certainly increase the time your localization project takes. Part of your project is recreating graphics in a way that speaks to your target audience. If you want a much easier, shorter project, providing your LSP with the original graphics from your content is one of the best practices for localization.
Small things add up to create longer project times and more challenging localization projects. If you want a streamlined, efficient project, you should work to follow the best practices for localization and avoid following the above advice. If you want more information, or to start your next localization project, call us at 530-750-2040 or request a free quote today.
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Ash is the Marketing Coordinator at Avantpage, Inc. Ash works to create high-value, targeted content that allows consumers to connect with us at Avantpage. They are a strong proponent of everyone having equal access to communication and information. They have written and created content for a variety of online platforms, and have been published in over 30 online platforms with varying topics. But Ash is other things too! An avid athlete, Ash enjoys spending their free time rock climbing, partaking in aerial circus sports, and practicing acroyoga.