Website Localization Guide
Have you ever visited a website in a foreign language? Chances are, it felt confusing—the prices weren’t displayed in your currency, and something about the layout might have felt off.
Even a fantastic product won’t resonate with an international audience if the website doesn’t feel familiar and compelling. That’s where website localization comes in.
What is Website Localization?
Website localization goes beyond just translation. It involves adapting a website’s language, visuals, and user experience to resonate with audiences in different regions. A localized website feels relevant and trustworthy, as if it were designed specifically for its users.
Let’s walk through the seven steps to seamlessly localize your website.
1. Define Your Localization Strategy
Start with a clear strategy to adapt your offer, messaging, and content to new regions while aligning with your brand. Consider:
- Which international markets to target
- How to translate your brand into the target language
- Your KPIs for success
hreflang tags, and ensure fast-loading pages to build trust and visibility.
2. Design Pages with Localization in Mind
Plan for multiple languages early in the design phase. Consider text expansion/contraction (e.g., German expands by 35%, Swedish contracts) and non-Latin scripts like Chinese or Japanese.
3. Internationalize Your Website
Internationalization (i18n) prepares your site for cultural and regional adaptations. Use placeholders in your code for language-specific text and ensure your site supports various formats (e.g., dates, currencies).
4. Create a Website Localization Workflow
Choose between waterfall or continuous workflows for localization. Most CMS platforms like WordPress, Contentful, and HubSpot offer integrations for seamless localization.
5. Translate Your Webpages
You have three main translation options:
- Machine Translation (MT): Fast and cost-effective for simple phrases.
- Human Translation: Ideal for complex and creative content.
- AI Translation: Combines speed and quality with contextual accuracy.
6. Measure Localization Quality and Strategy
Test your localization efforts for usability and cultural relevance. Set KPIs such as incremental sales, SEO keywords, market share, and social media engagement to track success.
7. Use the Right Tools
Streamline localization with platforms like Lokalise, which integrate with design and dev tools like Figma, GitHub, and WordPress for continuous updates.
Ready to start localizing your website? Sign up for a free trial of Lokalise and see the difference.
