Expansion into the international market is a dream every business endeavors to pursue. Building an organization from scratch and then penetrating foreign markers is not an easy task. One has to overcome a lot of challenges.
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges is not just to introduce your brand in the foreign markets, but to enable its adaptability. The target audience needs to associate themselves with your brand. Because only then you will be able to create a brand image and identity.
Firms often mistake their home presence to be a universal one. And hope their company will maintain that perception in every marketplace. Creating an English page and aspiring it will be viewed in the same way whenever their content is read as a misconception.
The reality in this global era is a bit different. Due to the prevalent Internet availability, even little firms have the opportunity to access the international market. This means that the international consumer is more prone to respond to information in his native language.
Now, this poses a challenge that companies have to face. And the only viable solution is to obtain the services of language services providers (LSPs).
Language service providers are multifaceted in nature. They do not only offer translation services from one language to another but provide localization solutions as well. LSPs are catering to a global need. Hence, it’s quite a competitive market space. Organizations often see a lot of translation services providing localization solutions to businesses. This poses a challenge to choosing the right one.
If you are also unable to do decide which LSP is the best one for you, you have to come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss some factors that you should keep in mind when you are about to choose a translation website or agency. So let us discuss some of them;
The fundamental aspect that organizations need to ponder upon is to decide which and how many languages do they need. And this parameter has to be prioritized before you decide to opt for a language service provider. Your selected LSP must be able to cater to your language needs.
If you require 2 to 3 languages, then you do not need a multiple language vendor. Rather, the better approach would be to acquire the services of a freelance translator. This option will give you the opportunity to get a more personalized experience. And would enable a more customer-oriented approach that focuses on your needs.
On the contrary, if you desire more than 3 languages or are looking for a specific language such as Persian, Urdu, Spanish, German, Italian, etc., the best option is to avail of the services of a multiple language vendor. They would have a wide variety of linguists with well-credentialed expertise and solid translating experience.
Strategic management is imperative when you select a language service provider. Organizations need to be efficient in their processes and select an LSP according to the size of their project.
So for instance, if the project requires translation in 6 to 10 languages, then the smart thing to do would be to go for a single language service provider. On the other hand, if you choose to take assistance from multiple LSP or freelancers, the probability of you not being able to manage would be high.
Undoubtedly, LSPs are beneficial for a lot of organizations. But there is also another side of the story. There are no guarantees that LSPs will work for every other firm. Hence, it is the responsibility of the management to research the right LSP for them. One that can enable them to penetrate effectively in the foreign market. And understand the vision and mission of the firm. Meanwhile, also be able to convey that message, by using the right jargon, to the target market.
The translation industry has evolved with time. Initially, translation was all about transferring words and phrases from one language to another. But now the focus has shifted from linguistic prowess to technical prowess.
Hence, if you want an LSP that does not discard its non-linguistic assets, then you should ask the following questions before subscribing to one;
The process of translation involves a lot of steps. It is not an easy process. One has to share a lot of documents. This step takes a lot of time, energy, and resources. But still, often organizations are unable to cope up with numerous emails and spreadsheets.
The best methodology to handle documents is to construct a translation management tool. This will not only reduce your time but will ameliorate the overall quality of the translated content as well. And ultimately, client satisfaction levels will increase as well.
Thereby, it’s imperative that you choose LSP that utilizes such translation management tools or platforms.
No matter how technical or efficient an LSP becomes, one thing that cannot be substituted is the people. People are what constitutes a successful LSP. Every professional translator and interpreter, proofreader, or editor plays his part to make the translated document better. And ultimately that is what matters the most.
Your consumers are not going to judge on how you start your translation process, but how well you finish it. And are able to provide a quality-oriented product.
Therefore, one should see whether the following elements are present in the Language Service provider;
A very important factor that should never skip your checklist when you opt for a language service provider is the assurance of a quality documentation process. This will consist of translating passages and content from one language to another. But will also enforce the LSP to provide multiple proofreading services. Plus a solid editing check as well.
Relying upon one just a bunch of linguists is not the right way to go about the translation process. Sure, their expertise and experience should never be undermined, but it’s always better two get a second opinion. Because ultimately, the aim of the LSP should be to satisfy the client.
It’s better to raise your standards before opting for a language services provider. Because ultimately, if the LSP is not able to pass your requirement standards, chances that it will provide above par translations are quite low.
Moreover, you should verify and see if the language service provider is offering the following;
If there were a few Language service providers competing in the market to occupy the share, then it would have been very easy for consumers to select one from them. On the contrary, when there are a large number of LSPs offering their services at different prices, it becomes difficult for customers to choose one that will prude the best quality at an affordable price.
When it comes to the price of an LSP, there are certain factors that you should consider;
It’s hard to find quality-oriented language service providers without doing some research. But ultimately, it’s all worth it in the end. If an organization is serious about global expansion and penetration into a foreign market, then the selection of an LSP is the rudimentary step that must be taken.
In this article, we tried our best to provide you with some important information that will assist you in your research to find the best language service provider for your business. Just make sure that the LSP does not compromise when it comes to; customer support, quality, and overall efficiency in its operations.
