Get your website ready for foreign markets

If your business is doing well in our country, it makes sense that at some point you will start looking at your options to possibly target a foreign market. In that case, it is crucial that your website matches this market and the country concerned. Of course, you can do this yourself if you have the language skills to do so, but most entrepreneurs do not speak two languages fluently or simply do not have the time.

In that case, it might be an idea to get a translation agency involved. Whatever CMS your website uses or whatever language the translation needs to be in, a professional translation can be arranged by them in no time. Do you have a WordPress website? That's even better! In fact, most professional translation agencies employ several experienced translators who specialize in translating WordPress websites! They not only help you translate the texts, but also tailor the content to a particular foreign market so you can conquer it. This way, you make sure that your website fully connects with the foreign-speaking target audience.

Why translate a website?

Often the first contact moment between your potential customer and your company is through the Internet. Nowadays, every business needs a good website. The more visitors the website has and the better this website is tailored to customers, the higher the chances of conversions. Are you planning to target a foreign market? Then you know you will need to translate the texts on your website. That is not the only thing, as you also need to make sure that the content matches a particular market. By having this done by a professional translation agency, you can be sure that these translations will perfectly match what your customers from that country want to see.

Translation agencies pay attention to the customs and culture of a country so that the texts are completely tailored to the target audience. Only with such texts will you achieve optimal results.

Another great advantage is that it can be arranged at short notice. Professional translators know how to translate WordPress websites quickly and appropriately. No time will be wasted on technical issues. Instead, all attention and time will be spent on translating your WordPress website in the right, and correct, tone.

Translation or localization?

Decided to have your WordPress website translated? Then you are left with one choice! For it is possible to create a different language version of your website, but we can also create a localized website. Plugins, for example, make it possible to offer a simple, different language version of your website. However, this means that the texts are only translated. The website is then not immediately adapted to a particular culture. As you know, every culture has different customs. Different symbols and colors are also used to convey a message. Therefore, when translating a website, care is also taken to ensure that the other elements match the culture.

Should you want to conquer a foreign market with your product or service, you will have to opt for a fully localized website. In that case, it is advisable to take a separate domain for that country. This means that this website will have its own URL and structure. This way, the website is best localized. Do you only want to tailor the website to non-native speakers? Then a language version is sufficient.

Translation by native speakers

Professional and experienced translators not only know the language perfectly, but they also have extensive knowledge of a country's culture. In most cases, they are native speakers, which allows them to empathize perfectly with your company's target audience. They can therefore fully tailor your website to a foreign market. WordPress uses .po files to read translations. In most cases, translators use translation software so they can translate the files directly into the source file. Thanks to this knowledge and experience, the cooperation between a translation agency and your company will be flawless.

With a website, findability is very important. The texts on the website contribute to this to a large extent. Your current website probably contains SEO texts, but that does not mean that the translated versions will also be easy to find. The second advantage of native speakers at a translation agency is that they also specialize in SEO, so they will improve the findability of your website with the WordPress translation.

How does collaboration in translation work?

During WordPress translation, you work together with the translator and with the web builder. Each party has knowledge of a different part, so good cooperation ensures the best results. You know what message you want to convey with the texts. The translator determines how the texts should be translated in order to address the target group in the right way. In doing so, the translator uses his or her knowledge of a culture. The web builder helps with technical issues to make the whole process run smoothly.

The first steps toward internationalization

Do you want to hire a translation agency to translate your WordPress website? Then consider in advance whether you are going for translation or localization. Not quite decided yet? The translation agency will be happy to advise you so that you make the right choice. Then the WordPress translation of your website can begin. Of course, the translators will need access to the .po files so they can translate them with their own software. The translated versions will appear directly in your CMS. You can view the translations and provide the translator with feedback. This way, the texts will match your needs and the target audience even better. Of course, the translator can give you advice on certain texts. After the website is fully translated you can use it to conquer a new market. The result of the WordPress translation is a localized website that is perfectly tailored to the desired foreign market.