Translating a website may seem like a trivial task, but there is much more behind an actual translation than one might think.
Many people think that it is enough to just paste the text to be translated onto the translator, place the text into the website, and publish it with the conviction that it will be understood by foreign readers. Actually, if you want to achieve the best results, it is not enough just to translate the meaning of words and phrases.
In this article we will look at 3 key points about how to translate a business website. Let’s start!
Translating a website: first translation
The first thing to do, of course, is to translate! Therefore, we have to take the source text, and try to find the most appropriate meaning for each word. Nowadays, there are many different tools that can speed up the process, which still ensure good results.
Some even have artificial intelligences that learn from their mistakes, so the more translations they perform, the more accurate they can be over time.
For basic translations, Google translate turns out to be a good free solution. Once translated through the software, it is recommended to proofread so as to edit any translation errors.
This will be our first translated version, which we will adjust through localization and SEO strategies.
Localization in website translation
Once we have the translated text, we will go on to make our corrections with a greater focus on localization. Localization means adapting the text to the target audience, focusing on the common language used by a particular community.
An example would be the adaptation of idioms or colloquial language. A phrase such as the Spanish “está lloviendo a cántaros “, literally “it’s pouring jars”, is adapted with the correct English idiom “it’s raining cats and dogs.”
This strategy establishes a more intimate relationship with the reader, capturing his or her attention and demonstrating our shrewdness in translating the website correctly.
Translating a website: SEO
Once we have translated and localized our text to the relevant context, all we need to do is get noticed! How? Through a meticulous SEO strategy. The tags and metatags within the codes must be in line with the trends in the target market.
If we have a website in English and we want to translate it into Spanish or Italian, we certainly cannot use the same keywords. An Italian will not search for “how to translate a website,” but will most likely type “how to translate a website” within the search engine.
If the site is young, it may be advisable to use long-tail keywords with low competition, so as to grow gradually and gain authority. As for translation from an SEO perspective, one should always be careful to maintain natural language so as not to be penalized.
The real key is to be able to combine localization and SEO in a language that is consistent with our website, natural and, above all, eye-catching.
Conclusions
We have seen 3 key points to perform a proper business website translation taking into account localization strategy and SEO, so as to scale our target market and outperform competitors.
Strategies like these will, of course, require time and, most importantly, translation by a linguist experienced in the field.
Companies like Langpros specialize in comprehensive and targeted business website translations. Check out their services to translate your website like a pro!
