Website Translation Tips that Work

Last Updated On: June 7, 2023 by The Migration Translators

Tip No 1 – Keep Your Website Updated

Whatever your target market, make sure you constantly update and monitor the success of your website. Websites were never designed to be absolutely static and unchanging. They work best when they get people looking at them and using them and that needs fresh, good quality content and your Website Translation Services Team should be ready to move with the changes in the website.

Tip No 2 – Keywords need to be Multilingual

Websites are keyword savvy and work best when they get the attention of the search engines. That means that  have to develop local keyword research to complement the keywords used in the original language. Localization in terms of keywords is not just a matter of word for word translation, but an effective keyword strategy that is aimed at the target market or audience.

Tip No 3 – Make Your Whole Website Multicultural

While text translations are important, there is usually a lot more to a website than just text. Graphics, images and colour combinations all complement the text and grab the attention of website browsers and search engines. The images, graphics and colours that work for a home market might just not work culturally in another context. It may require in depth experience to alter the website to suit a multilingual as well as a multicultural audience.

Tip No 4 – Bilingual Websites Might be Attention Getters

Consider the demographics and knowledge base of the target audience that your translation is aimed at. It may just pay off to leave some of the website in English if that is the original website language. The world is changing rapidly, and becoming bilingual if not multilingual, especially amongst young people is rapidly becoming the norm..

Tip No 5 – Don’t Forget the Small Print!

Website ranking is a complex subject, but it is something that has to be taken into consideration when organising a website translation. Little things like breadcrumbs, rich snippets, title tags and metadata, properly translated can all be important influences on website visibility.

Tip No 6 – Use an Open Source Platform for Your Website

Unless you have an already very well developed e-business site, it may pay to choose an open source platform for your CMS like Drupal, Joomla or WordPress. They come free to use and are easy to use and you can develop fresh content easily whenever there is a perceived need to do so. In the majority of cases, these platforms can outperform more complex or more expensive alternatives.

Tip No 7 – Character Capability Should be Adequate for the Language

Whatever platform you opt for, make sure that its character capability is adequate for the language or languages you intend to translate into. Think of any future expansion of your market and ensure that all language bases are covered.

Tip No 8 – Websites Benefit from Local In-Depth Knowledge

When considering a large website translation project, use your in-country team or clients, if you have any, as much as possible in the development process. Their critical appraisal of cultural acceptability will help make your website get the attention you want.