Go Global 103: Top 3 Tips for Global Business Websites

Introduction

Welcome to the third installment of Go Global 101! We've discussed international and global strategies for multilingual websites, as well as localizing software and business tools for better user experiences. 

In this blog, we're bringing you our top 3 tips for a successful global website. Aside from just website translation, how can you enhance your marketing strategy to boost engagement, conversions, and website visits? Launching a business website in new multilingual markets can be a rewarding endeavor, allowing you to expand your reach and tap into diverse customer bases worldwide.  

However, it requires careful planning and execution to ensure maximum reach and engagement. In this blog, we will discuss the top three tips for launching a business website in new multilingual markets: translating dynamic content, engaging in localized SEO, and working with a professional translation partner. By following these tips, you can create a strong strategy for website translation and localization, ultimately leading to increased success in your target markets. 

Tip 1: Translating Dynamic Content  

When targeting multilingual markets, it’s essential to go beyond simply translating the static content of your website. Dynamic content, such as user-generated content, product reviews, and customer support, plays a crucial role in engaging with your audience and building trust. A study by Common Sense Advisory showed that 73% of people prefer to read reviews in their native language, and 87% of customers would not buy from an English-only website. Therefore, it's important to ensure that all dynamic content is accurately translated into the target languages or localized to meet the standards of a certain culture. 

Some common examples of content that need this attention are: 

• Images and Graphics: Images play a significant role in website localization. Adapting images to the cultural context and preferences of the target audience can enhance user engagement. This includes using region-specific imagery, ensuring diverse representation, and avoiding culturally sensitive or inappropriate visuals.
• Videos and Multimedia: If the website includes videos, they should be localized as well. This can involve adding subtitles or providing dubbed versions in the target language to cater to different language preferences and accessibility needs of the target audience.
• Date and Time Formats: Adapting date and time formats according to the local conventions of the target market is important. Different regions may use different date formats (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY vs. DD/MM/YYYY) and time formats (12-hour vs. 24-hour clock).
• Currency and Pricing: When targeting different countries or regions, localized websites should display prices and currencies that align with the local market. This ensures that users can easily understand the pricing information and make informed purchasing decisions.
• Units of Measurement: Adapting units of measurement to the local standards is crucial for clarity and user experience. For example, using the metric system in countries that follow it (e.g., kilometers instead of miles, kilograms instead of pounds).
• Forms and Input Fields: Localizing forms and input fields involves adjusting labels, placeholders, validation messages, and error notifications to the target language and cultural expectations. This ensures that users can provide information accurately and easily interact with the website.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: When operating in different countries, websites should comply with local legal and regulatory requirements. This may involve translating terms of service, privacy policies, disclaimers, and other legal content into the appropriate languages and adapting them to align with local laws. 

It's important to note that the specific dynamic content elements to be localized may vary depending on the nature of the website, target audience, and market requirements. Conducting thorough market research and considering the cultural and linguistic aspects of the target market are crucial for effective website localization. 

Tip 2: Engage in Localized SEO  

Search engine optimization (SEO) is vital for any website, and when targeting multilingual markets, localized SEO becomes even more crucial. Localized SEO involves optimizing your website’s content and structure to rank well in search engine results for specific target languages and regions. 

Start by conducting keyword research in each target language to identify the most relevant and popular keywords for your business. Consider cultural nuances, local preferences, and search trends specific to each market. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your website's content, including titles, headings, meta tags, and URLs. 

Localized SEO plays a crucial role in an international strategy by optimizing a website's visibility and organic search performance in specific target countries and languages. Here's how localized SEO fits into an international strategy: 

• Targeting Specific Markets: With an international strategy, businesses aim to expand their reach beyond their domestic market. Localized SEO allows them to tailor their website content, keywords, and optimization techniques to cater to the preferences and search behaviors of specific target markets. This approach ensures that the website appears prominently in search engine results pages (SERPs) when users in those markets search for relevant products or services.
• Language and Cultural Relevance: Localized SEO involves adapting content to the local language and cultural nuances of the target market. By optimizing website content with keywords in the local language, businesses can increase their visibility and relevance to local users. Moreover, cultural considerations, such as using appropriate imagery, local references, and idiomatic expressions, enhance user engagement and trust.
• Geotargeting and Technical Considerations: Implementing geotargeting techniques is essential for localized SEO. This includes specifying the target country and region in the website's URL structure, using country code top-level domains (ccTLDs), subdomains, or subdirectories. Geotargeting ensures search engines understand the intended audience for each version of the website and displays the relevant content in local search results. It also helps search engines crawl and index localized content more effectively, improving overall SEO performance.
• Building Local Backlinks and Authority: In an international strategy, building backlinks from reputable websites within the target market is crucial for localized SEO. Acquiring local backlinks signals to search engines that the website is trusted and relevant to the local audience, improving its organic search rankings in the target market. Collaborating with local influencers, partnering with local businesses, or participating in industry-specific events can help build local authority and generate high-quality backlinks.
• Mobile and Local Search Optimization: As mobile usage continues to rise globally, optimizing for mobile devices and local search is vital for an international strategy. Localized SEO ensures that the website is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, and provides a seamless user experience across devices. Additionally, optimizing for local search, such as appearing in local map listings and leveraging location-based keywords, helps businesses capture local search traffic and improve their visibility to nearby users. 

Tip 3: Work with a Professional Translation Partner  

Partnering with a professional translation company that specializes in website translation and localization is key to ensuring high-quality, culturally appropriate translations. Brands using professional translation and localization services are 1.5 times more likely to make more profit than those that don't. This is because translating a website involves more than just linguistic accuracy; it requires an understanding of cultural nuances, local preferences, and the technical aspects of website localization. 

The best website translation services not only have the right technology platform to get the job done but will also have a team of experienced linguists and localization experts who can handle the complexities of translating and adapting your website's content. MotionPoint can ensure accurate translations while maintaining the integrity of your brand message. Furthermore, we can provide guidance on optimizing your website's design and user experience for each target market. 

When selecting a translation partner, consider their expertise in website localization, their knowledge of the target markets, and their ability to handle ongoing translation and maintenance needs. Building a long-term relationship with a reliable translation partner will save you time, effort, and potential headaches in the future. 

One Last Tip 

Launching a business website in new multilingual markets requires careful planning and execution. By following the top three tips discussed in this blog-translating dynamic content, engaging in localized SEO, and working with a professional translation partner-you can create a strong strategy for website translation and localization.  

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