Why websites must be localized in the maximum local languages.
There is a general belief that if the website is in English, then all is Ok as all the target groups will read it and so the company reaches to all. But recent studies shattered this myth. It also underline the limitations of US websites.
It is strange to know that fewer than 10% of U.S. websites offer language options other than English? What would happen if you were the first in your industry to do so?
Website translation is crucial for your business to grow. Here’s why:
- 47 million Americans over the age of five speak a language other than English at home.
- More than half of all web users are outside North America.
- Fewer than 30% of people online are searching in English.
- More people are online in China than in the U.S. And the potential for smart marketers is limitless: the number of internet users in China increased 42% in 2008 and continues to grow.
Remember, you may not need to translate your entire website. A few pages may be enough to provide key information on your products and your company. When new visitors click through to your website, they’ll already know what you’re about and what you’re selling.
There are no dearth of companies who are offering website localization services. You can search them.
May 21st, 2009 at 12:01 pm
1. I thought it was funny that your page was in English
2. China is about to become the largest English-speaking country in the world.
But… yeah. It’s a really good point, if we ever universalize a language it better not be English.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Hahaah! No. I just wanted to send this message.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Curious where your numbers came from. I don’t doubt them, but would be nice to know your sources
I represent an online translation platform called myGengo – http://mygengo.com – to help service this very need. We make translation accessible for users who would otherwise not even think to have their content translated. Customers will find that we offer some of the most competitive rates with a no-hassle interface. And no, we are not ‘crowd-sourcing’. We’ll leave that to Facebook