7 top reasons to translate your website

Expanding your business globally and entering new international markets is easier than ever before. There’s no better way to introduce your company to a new market than translating your website. In terms of online communication your website is one of your primary assets and most important communication channels. This blog post lists the top reasons to translate your website in order to capture new markets successfully.

#1 Reach a larger audience overseas

In today’s interconnected and global world English is no longer enough. The majority of online content is still written in English, while the language is just ranked 3rd in terms of the highest number of native speakers among all languages.

However, English claims the top rank among the most commonly spoken languages when breaking stats down to Internet users.

In 2015 it was necessary to support 25 languages in order to reach 90 percent of the entire Internet population in their native language. By 2020, a website will require localization into 48 languages to reach the same proportion of the global Internet audience.

While you might cover local or regional markets now, there are high potential markets still waiting to be covered. Website translation is the key to enter these markets.

#2 Your website’s data suggests translation

Virtually every website nowadays uses a tracking or analytics tool like Google Analytics for example. These tools provide you with informative data and show where your visitors mainly come from within the geographic data section. They also state which languages they use to browse your website. This data can clearly indicate new languages you need to support in order to best meet your visitors’ needs and expectations.

#3 Gain customers’ trust

According to the Amazon Study, 88% of users won’t return to a website if they have negative experiences. Localization adapts a website to cultural backgrounds and local languages, making it easier for users to browse content and find what they’re actually looking for. An immaculate user experience as well as understanding the language is key for building trust in the anonymous online world.

#4 Improve your SEO strategy

In short: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is what brings visitors to your website. Among other ranking factors Google uses keywords and metadata to rank websites in search result pages. Translating your website as well as keywords and all meta information increases changes to be ranked and comes along with a broader range of keywords that you target.

#5 Increase conversion rate

According to a survey conducted by Common Sense Advisory users are more likely to buy from a website or web shop if content is written in their native language. Summarizing their findings shows that

• 55% of users preferably shop online in their native language,
• 53% consider it to be more convenient if content is in their mother tongue,
• 60% rarely or never buy at English-only websites, and
• 74% of customers are more likely to purchase a second time, if support is provided in their mother tongue.

#6 Strengthen your brand

In real life and online too - first impressions matter. Make sure of this by looking at the successful localization cases of well-known companies. One of your company’s primary assets to interact with visitors and potential customers online is your website. Hence, the first impression of your website lasts in your visitors’ heads. Adapting your website to local customers’ preferences and cultural intricacies through localization will lead to a better perception of your brand. The money you invest in localization and translation projects is an investment in user experience and building up relationships with future customers.

#7 Outdo your competition

Before entering a new market research carefully to identify high-potential markets in terms of competition and legal restrictions. Occupying new markets before your competitors do is an undeniable incentive. A strong brand and company distinguishes from others in global performance and market penetration. Hence, translation plays a vital role when grabbing a slice of a market share and outdoing competition.

If you’re planning to take your business global and translate your website now’s the time. Translation management tools like Lingohub optimize your translation workflow and save your time and costs along the path to a localized website. Be sure to grab your free trial and start translating now!