What is website or software localization?

Localization is not just a fancy word for translation. It includes, not only language, but also adaptation of a website or software program to a local region in other ways as well. Those adaptations may include changing date formats, units of measure, currency, payment options, images, icons, and even text direction. It may also include changes related to regulations in the local region as well as the overall design of the website or software.

How is localization different from translation?

Translation refers to simply expressing the meaning of a text in a different language. Localization, on the other hand, refers specifically to translating websites and software programs to another language. The word "localization" is used because websites and software programs need to be used, not just read. That means that not only meaning, but also usability is important. Therefore, localization includes changing the website or software program design to fit sentences of different lengths. It includes changing date formats, units of measure, currencies, name orders, and numerous other aspects.

Why is localization important?

Localization is the word used to describe adapting website and software to local regions so that it is usable to people with different languages, cultures, and market environments. Localization is important because it makes websites and software programs not only understandable to read, but also easy to use for people in other regions.

How can I localize a website?

Website localization requires not only language translation, but adaptations to a website's design and formatting.

Localization Services

Go Beyond Word-for-Word Translation

Localization Services Make Your Web Content and Software Available to the World

Website and Software Localization Experts

Localization Means More Than Just Translation

Localization makes translation look easy! Localization services require not only translating text accurately, but also taking a product—such as a software application or website—and making it usable and beautiful in a foreign language and culturally appropriate for a foreign market.

In our increasingly connected global community, websites, software, mobile apps, etc. must be localized for use in multiple regions. But not just anyone can localize software or web content properly. Using inexperienced translators rather than an experienced localization team can cost companies in the long run.

IVANNOVATION has localized some of the biggest and most complex software systems on the planet for more than 20 years. That means that for us website and app localization is easy. When you partner with IVANNOVATION for localization services, you get not only language translation accuracy, but also the technical know-how to make your app, software, or website truly global.

Improper localization can destroy your software, website, or mobile application! When an inexperienced person translates electronic content, there is so much that can go wrong. Errors can be introduced into the code. Changes in line lengths between languages can wreak havoc on beautiful designs. Different currencies, units of measure, and date formats can confuse users. Ignoring local laws can lead to fines. There are countless traps to snare the unprepared software or website developer.

The only way to ensure a smooth launch of a website or software application into other languages is to work with localization experts that know the pitfalls. IVANNOVATION can guide you as you make your product available to people around the world.

What Do We Localize?

IVANNOVATION localizes a variety of web-based and electronic communication as well as software applications, including:

Websites
eCommerce Stores
WordPress Sites
Web Marketing Content
eLearning Materials
Online Help
eBooks
Social Media Content
Blog Articles

iPhone Apps
iPad Apps
Android Apps
Software Programs
Video Games
Computer Games
Mobile Games
Software UI (User Interfaces)
IoT Device Interfaces

ERP Systems
Manufacturing Terminal Interfaces
Warehouse Barcode Scanner Interfaces
Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
Human Capital Management Systems (HCM)

CMS Content
HTML Files
XML Files
JSON Files
XLSX Files (Bilingual Excel Spreadsheets)
Software Language Resource Files
Robohelp XPJ Files
DITA DITAMAP Files
And Others

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The Localization Process

Factors to Consider When Localizing a Software Application or Web Content

Every software or website localization project is unique, which means if you’re working with an inexperienced language localization partner, lots of things can fall through the cracks. IVANNOVATION’s experienced team considers every factor of a project—even the little things.

IVANNOVATION provides consulting on how to:

Design pages to accommodate longer languages like German as well as shorter languages like Chinese
Decide on an appropriate URL structure for every language
Perform foreign language SEO with regionally appropriate keywords
Eliminate strings from the code and properly isolate them in language resource files
Choose the right encoding to display various writing systems
Follow proper units of measurement for the region
Ensure that tables will sort properly with non-Latin writing systems

Target Languages

Our language localization services have helped companies make content appropriate for people who speak languages used around the world, including:

Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
Danish
Dutch
English

Finnish
French
French (Canada)
German
Hungarian
Italian

Japanese
Korean
Norwegian
Polish
Portuguese (Brazil)
Portuguese (Portugal)

Russian
Spanish
Swedish
Thai
Turkish
Vietnamese

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