No global expansion project is easy to manage. As a business owner, it’s your duty to ensure every single aspect of your international growth goes to plan, especially if you want your products and services to market well in a new country. That’s why adapting, translating, and localizing your content should be at the top of your priority list.
But how do you choose the right language service provider? What are the top things you should look for in your search?
Well, there’s plenty of translation services readily available out there, you just have to look for the right things and in the right places.
So here’s the 6 most important factors to consider. We’re here to help you make the right choice.
Table of Contents
1. Remember That Every Industry Is Different
Whether you’re an online eCommerce store, a fintech bank, an entertainment venue, or a manufacturing company, every business is different. Your specific industry (finance, retail, or medical, etc.) will have specific ways of operating. So always look for a language service provider who has specialized experience in your sector of work.
2. Consider Your Linguistic Needs
What language/s does your content need translating to? And how many? If you’re looking for only 1-3 different language translations, you can probably opt for single-language vendors which have niche expertise in a chosen language. If you’re looking for several language translations, a multiple-language vendor will make your project far easier to manage.
3. Consider Your Technical Needs
What are the technical capabilities of your chosen language service provider? Can they translate video content? Do they use modern technology? Is their translation platform easy to use and easy to navigate? These are the types of questions you need answering to know whether they can meet your technical needs with the right translation tools.
4. Think About Price
With so many different language service providers to choose from, there are also varying price ranges on offer too. What is your affordable price range? Should you go for the most expensive option or try to budget?
Well, the number one rule is to never go for the cheapest option. Don’t skimp out on quality just to save money. Poor translations can end up costing you in the long run by damaging your brand reputation.
5. Think About Level of Support and Communication
It’s always best to go with a language service provider that values collaboration. If their customer service is open and honest, chances are they truly care about executing your translations well. Product/service/content translations are part of a long-term global project which thrives when both sides are able to communicate well. Do they understand your project? Are you able to have constructive and productive conversations with your point of contact?
6. Look at the Testimonials
Lastly, we suggest looking at their testimonials. If their customers are satisfied and the reviews are positive, chances are they have a good track record of executing translation projects well. Peer-to-peer recommendations will always be a reliable way of knowing whether a language service provider is trustworthy or not.
